A Great Winter Project - Grounds Crew Shoe Rack

Many times grounds areas are are full of different types of shoes.  Rain shoes, tarp shoes, running shoes, game shoes etc.  How do you keep them neat, clean and orderly?  Consider building a shoe rack.  Here is a photo of the grounds crew shoe rack at Victory Field.  Simply using 3/4 inch plywood and sealing it with black paint did the trick for this application.  Then, each area is labeled for each grounds crew member.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

A Quick Winter Project - Tricks of the Trade - Wrapping a Tamp

Do you have issues with mound clay and infield mix sticking to the bottom of your tamp?  If so, considering taping a plastic bag to the bottom of the tamp.  The following photos were taken while two separate tamps were wrapped at Indiana Tech University. 

Tamp #1

Tamp #2

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

Tricks of the Trade - Using On-Deck Circles for Moisture Management

Moisture management is a key aspect for optimum mound and plate clay performance.  One way to maintain proper moisture is to keep the clay fully hydrated when not in use.  One trick to maintain moisture?  Use the on deck circles to cover the batters boxes when the field is not is use.  Below are photos of this method.

It is best to use a tarp along with the circles, but this is a great "budget" approach.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Tricks of the Trade - Building a Base Rack - A Great Winter Project

How many of you are dealing with bases lining the floor of dugout storage rooms?

Is building a base rack a complicated design?  Expensive?  No, just a few 2x4's.  Let's look into the process.

First a 2x4 was cut and installed on the cement block wall using Tapcon Anchors.  Next, shorter 2x4's were screwed into the wall installed next to the concrete block.  Note the 2x4's are spaced at the width of the anchor.  Finally, a final 2x4 was installed across the smaller 2x4 running parallel to the 2x4's installed into the cement block.  Here is the process in photos:

As you can see, this was a quick and simple project.  Material costs were less than $50

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

#LifeOnTheRoad - Infield Mix Drainage

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 to their facility/design.

I visited a new construction recently and the owner was extremely proud that they were able to “push the infield drainage through the budget.”  What is the problem with this?

An engineered soil (in this case DuraEdge Classic) will not move water vertically to the drains.  These drains will not move any water.  What is the answer?  Install drainage off the back arc. 

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

#LifeOnTheRoad - Dugout Heaters

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 to their facility/design.

Today’s #LifeOneTheRoad posts takes us to the University of Kansas Softball.  The facility at Arrocha Ballpark at Rock Chalk Park is second to none.  In the dugouts heaters were installed to keep the players warm on the cool spring and fall days.

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

Play on!
--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

A Tale of 2 Walk-ups

Walk-ups are common on both baseball and softball playing surfaces.  If the decision is made to install walk-ups, ensure the design will be tailored to the desired solution.  IE - Reduce/eliminate traffic stress in this high traffic area.  How is this accomplished?  Simple “flair” the walk-ups as they get further away from home plate.  Also ensure the walk-ups are wide enough to accept all traffic - both foot traffic and vehicle traffic.  Here are two examples:

#1 - Walk-ups too narrow.  Note the narrow width of the walk-up.

#2 - Walk-up in a “flair” design.  Note the lack of wear around walk-up.

Proper design will lessen or eliminate traffic stress.  Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer