#LifeOnTheRoad - Guerin Track Transition

This is the second 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 we are at Guerin Catholic High in Noblesville, IN.  I took note of the somewhat unusual but effective material to address the running track to walk transition that many track facilities struggle to maintain.

Note the large stone.  With a Glyphosate/Sureguard combo this area remains free of weeds while also producing a clean visual look.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Creating a 2 Inch Cap - Dura Edge Classic

I visited 2 little leagues and 2 high schools last week considering a 2 inch cap of Dura Edge Classic.  With fall baseball renovations in full swing, I figured this would be a good time to re-post the information on creating a 2 inch cap....

The creation of engineered soils have created many new opportunities to amend and manage infield surfaces.  One of the new opportunities is a 2 inch cap over an existing laser graded sub base.  How can a 2 inch cap be successful?  I thought infield mix has to be 4 inches or more in depth?  Simply stated, engineered soils use the correct proportions of sand/silt/clay to allow for the cap.  Think - a more engineered asphalt can be installed at a thinner depth than a gravel road.  DO NOT attempt a cap if the material is not engineered.

Below is a review of a 2 inch cap installation at Hamilton Heights High School.  This surface did not have infield mix added for the past 10 years, so it was 2 inches below finish grade.  

Let’s go through the steps:

First step - Laser grade the existing infield mix to ensure the sub base is a consistent 2 inches below finish grade.

Laser grading the 1st base sub base as the first load of Dura Edge Classic is added to the laser graded 3 rd base sub base

Second step - Add 100 tons of Dura Edge Classic

Third step - Laser grade the Dura Edge Classic and compact with a static 3 ton duel drum roller

Laser grading new Dura Edge Classic cap

Fourth step - Topdress the Dura Edge Classic with 3 tons of Diamond Pro Professional Calcined Clay

Fifth and final step - Finish drag

This project was completed in one day.  Keep in mind the long term maintenance cannot include any activity below 2 inches.  This is not a problem with engineered soils.  As a rule of thumb, less is more with engineered soils.  Less maintenance, less nail dragging, less rainouts, etc.  This surface will perform well and no additional infield mix will be needed for the next 3-5 years depending on maintenance, topdressing programs, etc.

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

#LifeOnTheRoad - Butler Softball Bullpens

This is the first 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.  Let's get started.

I visited the Butler Softball facility recently.  I took note of the new bullpens and the design.

 
The design is simple.  Synthetic turf scrap that was cut to fit the area.  The turf was placed over a concrete base.  Next, plates and batters boxes were painted on the turf.  Finally, a full infield mix/mound clay area was installed in the pitchers area.  So, now the Bulldogs have a great training area that doubles as a bullpen on game days.  Finally, the surface allows for a weed free bullpen area - a welcome sight for many softball and baseball coaches.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Ole Miss Football - Back to Natural Grass in 2016

In case you missed it, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on the campus of Ole Miss will be removing their synthetic surface and replacing it with natural grass for the 2016 season.  The playing surface was transitioned from natural grass to synthetic in 2003.  The field was replaced with another synthetic field in 2009.  Athletics director Ross Bjork's comments are HERE. 

Head Coach Hugh Freeze's comments are HERE.  Note the 130 degree comment!

Photo Courtesy  - replayphotos.com

Will this be the first of many to convert back to grass, or will this be an exception?  Based on practice trends I am seeing at all levels, I think this will be the first of many.

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

Depth of Conditioner - Be Careful to Avoid Over Topdressing

Infield topdressing should be approx .25-.5 inch in depth.  I was on a site this past week that had an infield with over 1.5 inches of topdressing.  Here were a couple of photos of the infield.

As you can see, the infield was extremely loose, provided poor ball roll and poor footing.  Bottom line - make the investment of a quality engineered infield mix and maintain a proper depth of conditioner.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Fall Renovations - Stop Layering Infield Mixes!

As fall baseball and softball infield renovation season begins, a quick reminder to STOP layering infield mixes.........

Another visit to a troublesome infield, another layered infield mix.

The issue:
"My infield was ok, I had a contractor bring in new material and laser grade my infield.  Since then it has been a mess.  Cannot take rains events, chips out and is almost unplayable when dry."

I took a shovel and dug a hole, here is what was found:

As you can see the infield mix was simply placed over the infield and not tilled/incorporated into the existing infield mix.

The solution:
The quickest fix would be to simply till and laser grade the material.  After that activity, test the material to determine what type of amendment/engineered soil is necessary to "balance out" the sand/silt/clay content of the mix.

Click HERE to see how to add new infield mix to an existing infield mix.
Click HERE to learn more about what makes up an infield mix

Be careful when pricing out renovations.  Not blending a profile will make the process quicker and the grading cheaper, but will leave an infield mix in worse condition that before the work took place.

What should a blended column look like?

Photo Credit - Wes Ganobcik - Columbus Clippers

Note - The top 3-4 inches of the profile is blended together completely.  If using an engineered soil, the top 3-4 inches of an infield mix is the critical material.  This photo as shows how you can amend an infield with removing any infield mix.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Bermuda Grass - The Tale of 2 Cultivars

Across the transition zone, there are many sports turf managers maintaining bermuda grass.  The question that is often asked is, "What cultivar is best for my field?"

That question is difficult to answer for many reasons.  Should I be growing and maintaining Patriot, Latitude 36, Northbridge or Riviera?  Well, it will often be determined by budget, expectations and availability.  

This is the second post of many this year where I will follow 2 cultivars through the growing season.  Latitude 36 and Riviera were sodded at a football field in Indianapolis.  Riviera has been used in the past.  Why?  Simply stated we have found that the plants grow closer the ground thus overseeding is a bit easier to accomplish.  Why is this important?  The field is overseeded during the entire football season with the Riviera base in place for stability.  Latitude 36 was sodded on the edge of the field for the first time this year.  Why?  Simply to determine if the grass will meet or exceed Riviera in 3 main categories:

1. Summer density

2. Success of overseeding

3. Winter survival

I will be following this field closing and reporting frequently on the progress.  

 Latitude 36 on L Riviera on R - Note the Color

Density of the Riviera - Sheer Strength Exceeds 40 ft/lbs

Riviera Prior to First Practice

I will continue to follow both cultivars.  Latitude 36 produces a dense canopy.  Will that prove more difficult to overseed?  Check back as the overseeding process is due to begin in a couple weeks.

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer