Adding Infield Mix to a Leadoff Area for Baseball

With fall baseball quickly approaching, many coaches and groundskeepers are looking for a way to add material to the leadoff area at 1st base to bring the area up to grade.  This will get play through fall before the entire infield surface will be laser graded after fall play.  Below is a step by step method to adding material to a leadoff area.

Begin with removing all conditioner from the area and ensure that the base material (infield mix) has proper moisture for tilling.  Then add infield mix and/or amendment.  In this example additional Dura Edge Pro infield mix was added along with FieldSaver90 at a rate of 4 lbs per sq ft.

After material is added, use a piece of lumber to level the leadoff area to match the existing infield grade.  NOTE: It is best to laser grade the infield once a year to ensure proper grade.  This method is for "in season" repairs.

After leveling is complete, till the area at a depth of 4 inches.  This will ensure a homogenous infield mix, blend in the amendment and avoid "chipping out" the material.

After tilling, roll the area with a 3 ton duel drum roller to compact.  Then work up the area with a rake if necessary and re-level and re-roll:

Finally, water the area heavily to lessen the chance of settling set/bind the clay.  (Note the area on the bottom right of the photo was not blended properly, a pick ax was used to re-blend this small area.)  Then recondition the area with conditioner.  The area is now back in play:

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer