2013 - #1 Viewed Blog Post - Weed Control for Baseball and Softball Infields and Warning Tracks

And now, for the most viewed blog post of 2013.........

For the most part, high school and recreational baseball and softball seasons are coming to a close.  Typically field maintenance turns to football and soccer.  Next thing you know your infield looks like the one below:

One way to control weeds (most likely crabgrass and goosegrass) on infields and warning tracks is to apply a tank mixture of glyphosate and Sureguard.  Click HERE to see an earlier post on this topic.

The application will typically give you 80-90% control which is much better than having to remove an infield full of weeds in the fall or early spring.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

2013 - Most Viewed Post #2 - Building a Set of Base Anchors

Here is the #2 most viewed blog post from 2013!

Building a set of base anchors is a task that can be completed by a grounds manager or coach.  Here is a step by step method for building a set of base anchors.

1.  Organize the parts and the tools.  Items needed:

• Base anchors
• Duct tape
• Screws
• Drill
• Tape measure
• Circular saw
• Scrap lumber 2x4 
• Shovel
• Quikrete
• Wheelbarrow

2. Cut the scrap lumber into 8-12 inch pieces, and build a simple square form.   Keep in mind that this is not cabinet grade carpentry.  

3.  Tape the bottom of the anchors while mixing the Quikrete.  Using a scrap piece of plywood as a base, place an anchor in each form.  

4.  After the Quikrete cures (no more than 4 hours) remove the forms.  Now, you have a new set of base anchors.

Never use coffee cans. Round anchors have a better likelihood of spinning while in the ground.

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

2013 - Most Viewed Post #3 - Tricks of the Trade - Sharpen a Rake for Mounds and Plates

As we near Dec. 31, 2013 - Here is the #3 most viewed blog post of 2013.

Do you need a tool that is sharp and can cut into high areas on the mound, plate or on the infield?  Simply, take a standard tine rake and sharpen the teeth on a bench grinder.  Here is a close up of a rake I used during the mound construction at the University of Notre Dame late last week:

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

2013 - Most Viewed Post #4 - Replacing a Homeplate Without a Surveyor

As 2013 reaches the finish line, here is the 4th most viewed blog post of 2013:

The homeplate of a baseball/softball field is the point where all other points are based.  (foul poles, bases, pitching rubber, etc)  So, when the time comes to replace a plate, take special care to ensure that the new plate is square with the foul poles and the field alignment is not compromised. 

Let’s walk through a plate replacement.  

First, string lines are pulled from behind the old plate to the foul poles.  This is done before the old plate is removed:

Next, a laser is used to take elevations around homeplate.  I always like to have the homeplate slightly higher than the highest point in the turf.  This will ensure that water will not run back onto the plate during rain events:

A string line is also pulled from behing the apex of the plate, through the middle of the pitchers rubber and the middle of the anchor of 2nd base.  This is the third string to ensure proper alignment.  Keep in mind that when the elevation of the plate in changed, the pitching rubber elevation should be checked and adjusted if necessary:

Finally, carefully install mound clay around the plate making sure that the plate does not move:

To see how to renovate a plate on a budget, click HERE:

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer 

Replacing a Pitching Rubber Without a Surveyor - #5

As 2013 reaches the finish line, the top 5 viewed blog posts will be counted down in advance of New Years Day.

Here is #5 - Replacing a Pitching Rubber Without a Surveyor

The pitching rubber of a baseball/softball field is an important part of a field.  In this post, I will detail replacing a pitching rubber on a high school baseball field.  To see how to replace a plate, click HERE.

The first step to set up a laser.  Take a reading at homeplate.  Lower the receiver 10 inches to get the correct elevation of the new pitching rubber and install clay to build the base under the rubber.  I have also seen concrete blocks and an additional rubber used to build a base: 

Next, pull string lines from the foul poles through homplate and a string line through the middle of the second base anchor:

Install the new pitching rubber keeping an eye on the following:

1. Is the string in the middle of the rubber?
2. Is the elevation correct on the laser?
3. Is the new rubber 60 ft 6 inches from the apex of homeplate to the front of the rubber?

Once all of those items are established, the next step is to square the rubber up to homeplate.  To do this take readings from the from corners of the plate to the corresponding front corners of the pitching rubber.  The distance should be 59 ft 1 inch.  If that is the case, the rubber is square:

Finally, double check all the dimensions listed above and place a level on the rubber.  If all is correct and level, carefully place mound clay around the rubber and compact.  In this case, Dura Pitch Mound Clay is used.

To see how to renovate a mound on a budget, click HERE:

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

Urban Youth Academy - Early December Snow Cover

A quick post this morning from the Reds Urban Youth Academy at Roselawn Park in Cincinnati, OH.

Early December snowfall took the fields from this condition on Dec 3, 2013:

To this condition on Dec 13, 2013:

Thanks to Kokosing Construction Company, Inc. for the aerial photos.  To learn more about this project, click HERE, HERE, and HERE.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

A New Softball Field at Fountain Central High School

Just before snow cover arrived in central Indiana, the J&D Turf team was in Veedersburg, IN to renovate a softball field for Fountain Central High School.

Here are a few photos of the field after the fall practice schedule was completed:

Prior to the renovation, the field had a poor grade and the infield mix consisted of crushed limestone.  Due to poor grade, drainage issues behind the backstop and the need for new fences, press box and dugouts, all the items were demolished prior to the field work.

Here are a few photos of the field pre-renovation in early November:

The renovation plans consisted of the following:

• A new conical grade for the infield at .5%
• Installation of Dura Edge Classic infield
• Condition the infield with Diamond Pro Professional Calcined Clay
• Installation of sod in foul territory

Here are a few photos of the field post-renovation:

Look for additional posts in the spring to see the field completed with a new backstop and dugouts.

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer