I get this question numerous times in my travels. So, let's look into the repair:
First, the plate after the game:
First step, rake the plate with a landscape rake. Look to lower high areas:
Second step, remove all conditioner and loose clay by using the leveling blade on the rake and a broom: NOTICE - the use of both a push broom and a standard broom and how clean to sweep the batters box. NO loose material should be present.
Third step, add water to hydrate the existing clay. This can be accomplished with a garden hose, watering can, or a sprayer/spray bottle:
Next step, add new mound clay. In this case Dura Pitch Mound Clay was added:
Then, rake new clay into place and use a flat bladed shovel to chop the new clay into the existing clay:
After adding the clay, lightly compact the clay with your foot and then tamp using a hand tamp:
Then, rake the compacted clay in 3 directions to level the clay.
Next step, use a small amount of water to hydrate the clay and use your foot to smear the clay together and blend all the seams into one solid piece of clay:
Then, push the existing conditioner to the plate, screen with leaf rake and add conditioner as needed to maintain a 1/4 inch depth of conditioner:
Lastly, finish drag,water and paint the plate.
Use this program, and your plate area will be the best in your league.
Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer
