Updated: How to: Add New Mix and Level Baselines

Maintaining baselines that create a smooth and safe surface can be challenging. The photos below outline the process of adding new material to baselines. This leveling process will work on any baseball surface. Keep in mind, if leveling with a board, address all “lips” before grading.

Step 1 Edge the sod to create clean edges (address any “lips” as well). Then, add infield mix to the baselines and, using a 2x4 screed board, level the next material.

Step 2 Till the new material into the existing material. Ideally, the tilling depth is 3-4 inches. In this example, Dura Edge Pro was added/tilled to existing Dura Edge Pro baselines.

Step 3 Re-screed the tilled material.

Step 4 Using a 3 ton dual drum roller, roll the baselines.

Step 5 Add conditioner and drag.

This entire project for both baselines took approximately 3 hours.

Now the baselines are level and create smooth transitions between the turf and the infield mix.

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

Download the Smart Turf Sheet - How to: Add New Mix and Level Baselines

The original post can be viewed here. 

#LifeOnTheRoad - Batting Cage Landscape

This is another post in a periodic series entitled #LifeOnTheRoad.  The background is simple. During my travels I encounter many grounds managers/coaches doing great things.  Because of this, I have started this series.  The goal - expose more grounds managers, coaches, architects, etc to areas of facility and sports turf maintenance that may be implemented into their facility/design.
  
In this post of the #LifeOnTheRoad series we travel to Frankfort Youth Baseball.  A simple installation of arborvitae takes a simple batting cage and makes it more visually appealing while also creating a future "batters eye".  Simple and cost effective.


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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer
 

A Tale of Two Walk-Ups - Warning Track Design

Walk-ups for baseball and softball fields are often a good option to manage traffic while also allowing for grass in foul territory (softball).  This is sometimes necessary to manage surface drainage/grades.

Let’s look at two walk-ups.  First, the softball field at Ohio Northern University.  As you can see these walk-ups are the same width from the warning track to the plate, so the on-deck circle is off the walk-up.

The next example is at the MLB/P&G Cincinnati Reds Urban Youth Academy.  In this example, the walk-ups are flared out as you get closer to the track.  This allows for the on-deck circles to be on the walk-ups. 

Also, you can see this early season photo also illustrates how walk-ups can aid in surface drainage.

Which is the best option?  That’s a field manager’s decision.  I personally like the flared walk-up which allows for space for the on-deck circle.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Great Mixture to Keep Weeds Out of Infields and Warning Tracks

With summer now upon us, many high school playing surfaces are winding down from spring play, now crabgrass, goosegrass, and other unwanted growth will appear. 
 

How do you control this issue?  See below:

A simple mixture of Glyphosate in a 2% solution and SureGuard at 3 teaspoons per 1000 sq ft. So, in a 3 gallon spray hand can, 7.68 ounces of Glyphosate and 9 teaspoons of SureGuard. The tank will cover 3,000 sq ft. How well does it work? The photos below are from the warning track at Brebeuf High School. The track was sprayed in March.

Note the weeds along the track edge. This is due to the application. As many of you know, Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide, meaning it will kill anything it touches. So, be careful along all grass edges. Finally, to get better control, try not the work the infield/track up as this will break the Sureguard barrier.

To learn more about Glyphosate, click HERE.

To learn more about Sureguard, click HERE.

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

Play on!
--Jamie