Infield Mixes, Vol 12: Post-Season Maintenance
Providing that the steps laid out in the previous 11 volumes were executed, the post-season maintenance of the infield surface is relatively simple and straight forward. There are a few steps that should be taken every year and a few that can be taken on an every 2-3 year basis.
Every Year:
• Continue to edge the infield – this will help to control lips (see Vol 8)
• Laser grade the infield without the addition of infield mix
• Continue to drag the infield to ensure a smooth surface and control weeds
• Keep topdressing at the “typical” levels (1/8-1/4 in. depth)
Most mistakes that I see are staff and coaches who “let the infield go” after the season and the infield has “lips” and unwanted weed growth in the off-season. There are no good products to eliminate weeds on an infield. Pre-emergence products like Snapshot has shown some promise, but if the infield or warning track is played on at any level of play the products will not work as well.
Every 2-3 Years:
• Add new infield mix to the existing infield to ensure positive drainage (see Vol 7)
• Add additional topdressing after adding new infield mix
• Use a laser to check the edges and lower edges and re—sod if necessary
Another mistake I see at high school levels and below is that infield mix is not added on a frequent basis. So, when the infield is 3 inches below grade and the surface drainage has been compromised, six truckloads of infield mix need to be added. That process is very costly. It is much easier to add a truckload or two every 2-3 years. Not only is this more cost-effective long term in regards to infield mix, but think about how much money was spent on drying agent as the infield mix was neglected and went from 1 inch below grade to 3 inches below grade over the years!
What else do you do to your infield during the post-season?
Play on!
--Jamie
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About Me
- Jamie Mehringer
- Co-founder and partner of J&D Turf. A sportsturf junkie, I cut my teeth at Victory Field with the Indianapolis Indians maintaining the playing surface at what has been dubbed "The Best Minor League Ballpark in America." From intern, to assistant to head groundskeeper over 10 seasons, I was director of operations for the team before realizing sportsturf was my passion, baseball was merely the game. My bachelor’s degree in sports management from Marian University and a degree in turfgrass science from Purdue University serve as the initial credibility with clients ranging from university to K-12 administrators, parks and rec officials, and maintenance crews to my friends with their own fields in the Major Leagues. The "Smart Turf" blog is my way of sharing my experiences as consultant, groundskeeper and business owner with the larger sportsturf community. There was a day early in my career that I'd joke that I live to make tall grass short. Given the expanding horizon of this profession over the last decade, I've come to realize and respect it as much more.
That is weird if they use a laser for that.
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