Calcined Clay Products - Which One is Best For My Field?

With many areas of the country entering a rainy period, I have received a number of calls of which material is best for my infield? - Professional/Select size gradation or Drying Agent/Rapid Dry gradation?

The answer is in the details.  There are many suppliers of calcined clay products in the country.  Turface, Pro's Choice and Diamond Pro are the most popular.

Calcined clay is typically a montmorillonite clay that is fired (calcined) at a temperature not less than 1200 degrees.  At that time the clay is now a ceramic and is screened for processing and bagging.  Typically, the Professional/Select gradation will have over 80% of the material retained on the 16 screen.  Drying Agent/Rapid Dry will have 80% pass through the 30 mesh.  Due to the fact that the Drying Agent/Rapid Dry gradation consists of a smaller particle size, it will cover the surface area of a puddle better and thus dry the wet area quicker.  With that said, the smaller particle size will quickly be mixed/lost into the infield mix profile.  Also, as a general rule of thumb, adding a smaller particle size to your infield mix profile can lead to a poorer performing infield mix over time.  The Professional/Select size of calcined clay will also dry a puddle/wet area very effectively.  Furthermore, the material has a better chance to stay on the surface after the rain event and continue to provide a topdressing.  Always ensure that the correct depth of conditioner is present.

In conclusion, selecting the best product can be best approached by testing the sand/silt/clay of your existing infield mix.  After that information is obtained, a better decision can be made.  In general, adding a larger particle size has a lesser chance to adversely effect the infield mix over time.

For my money, I would stock only one product, that is the Professional/Select product to use after rain events.  You get more bag for your buck.  There is a reason why these products are used at the highest levels of play.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

What is Wrong With My Turf - Is it Dead?

I have heard this a couple time this past week.  I actually saw it in person on Wednesday morning just south of Cleveland.  Here were the existing conditions:

What is causing this?  The weather, of course.  To learn more about this condition, click HERE to see a great post from Ohio State University Turfgrass.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

A New Backstop for Crawfordsville High School

A quick post in regards to a new backstop at Crawfordsville baseball and softball.  The system is a cable stayed backstop with a shared center (tie back) pole.

Here are a couple "before" pictures from the baseball field:

Here are a couple "after" photos of both the baseball and softball field:

Here are a couple photos of the pole detail:

Note: the detail on the base and also the tie back eyelets.  When building a new backstop, always have the system engineered to withstand all weather conditions.  The major expense with the systems are the poles, once the are installed properly, they will last a lifetime.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Preparing an Infield After a Rain Event

I get this question many times, "How do I prepare my infield after a rain event?"

The first step is to have a balanced infield mix profile that is laser graded.  Also, the correct depth of conditioner is important to take rain events effectively.

With that said, let me take you through the simple steps of getting an infield ready to play after a rain event.

The location is the new P&G Reds Urban Youth Academy in Cincinnati, OH.  The infield mix is a "hybrid mix."  The mix consists of 3 inches of Alvis Materials infield mix with 24 tons of FieldSaver50 and 24 tons of Dura Edge Classic from Natural Sand Company blended throughout the 4 inch profile.  Finally, the infield is conditioned with 120 bags (3 tons) of Turface Hertiage Red Calcined Clay.

First step - nail drag the infield to a depth of 1/4 inch using the VibraFlex on the ABI Force.

 Infield Prior to Nail Dragging

First Couple Passes 

ABI Force 

VibraFlex

Note: the depth is approx. 1/4 inch.  The goal is to break the surface tension and allow the conditioner to work.  DO NOT rip the infield up at depths exceeding 1/2 inch.  Using the simple "key test" is a great way for staff and volunteers to monitor depth of nail dragging.

Within 30 minutes the infield is starting to dry and the conditioner is ready for a finish drag.

The infield after a finish mat drag - ready for play within an hour of  beginning the process with little to no disruption to the infield surface.  Note - not one bag of calcined clay or a drying agent was used to get this field ready to play.

Bottom line - if the correct materials are installed and managed correctly, infields can take rain events and be ready for play without the need for a tremendous amount of drying agents, etc.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Repairing Mound and Plate Areas - Cleaning All Conditioner Prior to Repairing

Regular repairing of mound and plate areas take time and attention to detail to maintain high quality surfaces.

After raking the area, the next step is to remove all the loose material and the topdressing.

Below are a couple photos I took this past week in Columbus, OH at Huntington Park.

Note: The areas are extremely firm and all the loose material has been removed.  Next step, water and add new clay.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Should I Apply a Pre-Emergent Product to My Athletic Field?

The short answer is typically yes.  With that in mind, take inventory of the condition of your playing surfaces before making blanket applications.  For example, please see the photo below.  Should pre-emergent products be applied to this surface?

The short answer is NO!  This field needs to be overseeded this spring to achieve 100% cover for the fall football season.  A late spring application of a liquid pre-emergent could be applied after the seed has germinated and acceptable cover is achieved.

Click HERE to see information on when to apply pre-emergent
Click HERE to learn more about pre-emergent products from the Purdue University Turfgrass Department.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Tall Fescue for Athletic Fields?

The photos above are from a baseball infield that was sodded with tall fescue a couple of years ago.  The complaint, the turf is too bumpy, and our guys are scared to field a ground ball.  Why is this?  Click HERE to see a link from Purdue that explains why Turf Type Tall Fescue is not typically a good choice for athletic fields in Indiana.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer