Field Maintenance Instructions
- Infield rakes are hanging on the dugout fences
- Batters box templates are behind the field boxes against the fences
- Metal 6' x 18" drags are up again the dugout fences
- Hoses and bases need to be put away after the last game
- Line Painter and Paint
- Extra chalk is located in the shed
THE FIELD SHED INCLUDES A SETUP FOR EACH FIELD
- 3 bases and base cart (per field)
- Wheelbarrow
- Dig-out tool
- Hose
- Line reel
- Chalk Spray
- Aerosol Spray Line Striper
PRE-GAME WORK: VISITORS TEAM
INSTALL THE BASES
Bases are located in the shed.
Remove the plugs from the base receiver. If the base receivers are filled with dirt, use the dig-out tool to remove enough dirt to insert the base.
Place the base plugs onto the base cart or into the wheelbarrow so they do not get lost.
INFIELD AND BASELINES
Check the condition of the infield and baselines. If the dirt looks like it has been raked/dragged after the previous game, proceed to repainting lines as needed. If not, follow the directions below.
Using the infield rake, rake all displaced dirt away from the grass edges. Generally this only needs to be done around 1st and 3rd bases. Never rake the dirt towards or into the grass as it creates lips.
Use the rake to fill in any low areas around the bases and/or around the pitcher's mound.
Using the metal drag, drag the entire infield area. Make sure you overlap when you change directions. The drags are usually rolled up against one of the dugout fences. Do not drag dirt into the grass areas as it creates lips.
If you are the first game of the day, give the infield a light watering.
PAINTING THE BATTER'S BOXES
Get the single can line painting machine from the field box. Make sure the can has paint. Extra paint is located in the shed.
Retrieve the batters box template (3’ x 6’ metal rectangle). The template is usually in the bullpen.
Lay the template down with the 4” tab against the side of home plate in the dirt. The 6’ dimension of the template should be parallel with the imaginary line from the center of home plate and center of the pitching rubber.
Gently step along the entire pipe template. This will leave an impression in the dirt.
Follow that impression left in the dirt with the line paint. Center the paint on the impression.
Place the line painter back into wheel barrel
PAINTING THE BASELINES AND FOUL LINES
Using the line reel, lay out the line from the front diagonal corner of home plate past the outside of the 1st or 3rd base all the way to the grass. Some fields have a hook on the backstop to assist you.
Roll the line striper down the inside of the line reel from the corner of the batters box all the way to the edge of the outfield grass
Place the line painter back into wheel barrel
POST-GAME WORK: HOME TEAM
BATTER'S BOX
Fill in any low spots created by the batters using the rake. The infield rakes are hanging on the dugout fences. Make sure that the dirt is level with home plate. Never rake the dirt towards the grass.
Water GENEROUSLY after completed, unless there is a game following yours. In that case, use a smaller amount of water.
PITCHER'S MOUND
(For Junior Field only!)
Fill in any low spots created by the pitcher using the rake. Pay special attention to the front of the pitching rubber and the landing area (front foot plant). Never rake the dirt towards the grass.
Use the dirt tamper to compact the dirt in the front of the pitching rubber and the landing area. Adding a small amount of water will help with the compaction. The holes created during the game should be even with surrounding soil and compact.
Water the mount lightly if there is another game that day. If you were the last game of the day, water the mound GENEROUSLY.
INFIELD AREA
Remove the bases and insert the base plugs. Place them on the base cart and return them to the shed.
Using the infield rake, rake all displaced dirt away from the grass edges. Generally this only needs to be done around 1st and 3rd bases. Do not rake the dirt towards or into the grass area as it creates lips.
Use the rake to fill in any low areas around the bases.
Using the metal drag, drag the entire infield area. Make sure you overlap when you change directions. The drags are usually rolled up against one of the dugout fences. Do not drag dirt into the grass areas as it creates lips. You need to pick up the drag when you are completed so that you don't drag any dirt into the grass.
Water the infield area lightly if there is another game that day. If you were the last game of the day, water the infield GENEROUSLY.
BASELINES
Using the aluminum rake, rake all displaced dirt away from the grass edges. Never rake the dirt towards or into the grass area as it creates lips. The rakes have been cut down to fit inside the base paths.
WATERING THE INFIELD
Retrieve the hose from the shed.
Behind each pitchers mound there is an 8” round green plastic cover at dirt level. Remove that cover and expose water pipe.
When turning the water on and off, MAKE SURE THE HOSE SPRAYER IS TURNED ON (OPEN). If the pressure has nowhere to go when you turn on the water it will blast you in the face.
Lift the small metallic cover on the pipe to expose the female connection. On the end of the hose there is a male quick coupler.
Insert the male side into the pipe in the ground. Align the small locking tab on the male end with to groove in the female coupler.
While keeping downward pressure on the male coupler, grab the small bar handle that’s on the side of the male coupler on the hose and turn the coupler clockwise about 180 to 270 degrees. This will turn the water on.
Roll up the hose and put it away. When rolling up the hose make sure you drain as much water out of it before returning it to the wheelbarrow.
IMPORTANT
All hose water used at the fields is reclaimed water. Please use caution when using this water. Spraying water against the wind and/or breathing the atomized droplets of water is HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH.
Do not let any child use or be involved with the hosing down of the infields.