How Do You Add New Mix to Existing Mix?

I get this question all of the time. So, I figured I would show the process with photos. On Thursday last week, the J&D Turf crew added new infield mix to the existing infield at Huntington Park in Columbus, OH. Head Groudskeeper, Wes Ganobcik and his crew added Field Saver 50 from the Natural Sand Company before we arrived with a topdresser. The FS 50 will increase medium sand content while also increasing the clay content and improving the SCR of the mix. To see a photo of a similar application, click HERE.

The next step is to blecavate/till the existing mix into the new mix. This is the biggest mistake in this process. It is time consuming, but necessary to ensure good soil bonding. Please see a photo of this step below:

The next step is to roll the infield using a three ton roller. A 3 ton roller is necessary to compact the infield and to ensure limited/no settling. A photo of this step is below:

The photo above also shows the size difference between a 1 1/2 ton roller and a 3 ton roller. The smaller 1 1/2 ton roller is a good choice to settle frost heave - i.e - right now and the start of every spring and the 3 ton roller is needed after blecavating/tilling.

Following rolling, the next step is laser grading. A photo of the process is below.

As you can see, Tom is laser grading the 3rd base side of the infield as Ryan is re-rolling the first base side to ready the area for a final laser grading

See another photo of laser grading below.

Below is a finished photo of the infield. As you can see on this photo, our conical laser is on the mound, the infield is graded at a .4% cone for the mound in all directions, from the front of the infield to the back arc. This is how all infields should be graded.

Thanks to Wes and his crew, including Nick, with assistance with the infield renovation. In my opinion, this surface is the front runner for 2011 IL Field of the Year!

To learn more about the Columbus Clippers, click HERE
To learn more about Huntington Park, click HERE
To learn more about Natural Sand, click HERE

To learn more about J&D Turf, visit j-dturf.com

Play on!
--Jamie