I
nfield skinned area renovations are
some of the most overlooked, often-
neglected areas on a baseball or softball
field. Coaches, parents and mainte-
nance staffs are more concerned about the
grass, or the press box, or where we will sit
for the game to get the best views of our
children. With it being overlooked, when
it does come time to renovate the infield-
skinned area, the price tag to renovate is
much more than had it been properly
maintained over the years.
DETERMINE THE PROBLEM
Before you can tackle this renovation,
you first need to determine the prob-
lem or the issue at hand. Does the field
not drain properly? Birdbaths located
throughout the infield? Is it loose and
not providing a firm solid footing for
players? Does the infield appear to been
in a cattle farm after a game or chicken
scratching? Once you determine the
problem, then you can begin to reno-
vate the skinned infield.
CONTRACT OR DIY?
With the job at hand of renovating the
infield skinned area, you can ask yourself
do we contract it out or do we DIY (do it
yourself)?
The advantages of a paying someone
else to do the work, is that it should be
done correctly (be sure to get and check
references if contractor if he is well
known or not), laser graded for proper
water removal, edged, base anchors
installed at proper distances and game
ready once the contractor is finished.
If you DIY, most of the labor force
are volunteers. As with volunteers, they
30 SportsTurf | October 2015 www.sportsturfonline.com
HOW TO TACKLE A COMPLETE
INFIELD DIRT RENOVATION S
FIELD SCIENCE
Editor's note: This article was written by Bill Marbet and Glenn Lucas of
Southern Athletic Fields, Inc.
