SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/306114
40 SportsTurf | May 2014 www.sportsturfonline.com Tools & Equipment of the season for it to become established which can be aided by the use of growth blankets. While renovating the entire field may not be possible due to many factors such as timing, budgets, and sod availability; doing smaller portions can also be effective in addressing field conditions. A youth organization for which I recently did a field renovation was given enough sod to do the entire infield and foul areas up to third and first base. With this portion done we were able to put together a plan to aer- ate, topdress, and overseed the outfield selecting turf type tall fescue seed, which would match the sod they were given, and with its dark green color and resiliency it is the ideal selection for their climate and situation. Seed rates could vary depending on seed type and establishment rates. With all the new seed varieties on the market and research being done on many others take the time before selecting your variety to do some research. Sites like NTEP.org or your local extension agencies are great resources as are other sports turf managers in your area. When renovating the infield it is a great time to repair/replace the clay in both the pitcher's mound and home plate areas and check the slope and height of the pitcher's mound. Setting the pitching rubber at the correct distance and height is the foundation to build the rest of the mound off of. Take the time to ensure that all the measurements are correct and the intersect at the center point by pulling a measure- ment from apex of home to second, first to third, and apex of home to left and right corners of the pitching rubber. The landing areas of the mound are easily gauged with a slope gauge which should be set so every foot out from the pitching rubber the height is dropped one inch. Install your clay bricks in the landing area and cover with a thin layer of mound clay. After tamping this area you can lightly cover with soil conditioner or infield mix. The rest of the mound should have a gradual slope towards the turf edge. Lightly rolling this area will ensure proper footing for player safety. Dig out each batter's box and catcher's box to a depth of 3 inches. Install clay bricks and cover with a light layer of mound clay and tamp. Cover with conditioner or infield mix. Keeping these areas moist and covered with tarps will be important throughout the season to ensure they do not dry out. With the majority of the work complete on the turf and clay, it's time to get the skinned areas ready. Proper footing and moisture management on these areas will be an important matter for you to ensure player safety and water is able to drain off preventing game cancellations or delays. Most field guides call for a typical grade of .5% up to 1% on the skinned areas and 1-2% for other areas. This will ensure water drainage and a near level playing surface for player safety. If the area is already established as little as 20 tons of infield material could be used to properly grade the area. If it has been neglected or a full renovation is done it could take 80 tons of material. Once the infield mix has been evenly spread and graded it is recommended that you incorporate a conditioner into the soil at a depth of 2-3 inches. Topping this off with another thin layer of condi- tioner will provide added benefits and give it a finished look. Edging the turf on the infield can be accomplished with a walk behind edger and rake or a more efficient method is using edger and broom attachments available from Toro and other manufacturers. Edging your field should be done on bi-weekly during the season to ensure player safety and reduce the likely hood of lip build-up. Throughout the season proper dragging of the skinned area and base paths will ensure proper moisture management and keep a level playing surface. Be sure to keep all drags 6 inches from the edge of turf and base paths are raked from home to first and third and not side to side. With these task completed you can now be sure that you have given yourself the best chance at a successful start to the season. Keep using your checklist which should be updated throughout the season to ensure your equipment is maintained, applications are noted, and you take several pictures will all be resources for you to use to plan for next season as well as have references if any issues arise during the season. Best of luck this season! Jason Kopp has been in the sports turf management industry for more than 15 years. He currently is providing equipment solutions to custom- ers in the sports turf and grounds industries and serving on the STMA Information Outreach and Chapter Relations Committees. ■ jasonkopp@turf-equipment.com.