Question about field conditions

How does someone get results to make their softball field look better/safer? There is a field that is HORRIBLE to play on. The tractor is broken down and parents are using 4wheelers to drag the field. They can't even get maintenance to work on it regularly unless game day, then they tear up the pitcher's rubber and home plate. If you know which one I am referring to, then you know it is a safety hazzard for all teams.

***This is not bashing, just asking for someone to help***

 

Two things that can help...

Year round maintenance of the field will have it in better shape when early season games start... This is the worst time of year to try and get a field into shape. High moisture content in the soil, slow to non-existant grass growth and sudden high use all contribute to one big mess.

The second thing is, as mentioned above, high use. Everybody wants to get in as much practice as they can, but one practice on a field that is too wet can leave you with a playing surface that won't be decent for many days. The more you "work" saturated dirt, the more you bring moisture to the surface which then leads you to "work" it even more, creating more and more problems.

Long term solutions...

Be sure infield is crowned. Imagine a line from home plate through the pitcher's circle to second base. This should be your high point line with all drainage moving away from the playing field towards the 1st and 3rd baselines. Grade it with a 1/8th to 1/4th inch per foot fall. Be sure surface is compacted and not made up of extremely loose material, this only holds moisture.

Repair high use areas, like pitcher's circle, batter's boxes, and around bases after every practice/game. This can be done with hand rakes and hand tamps.

Grass areas should be overseeded with rye and topdressed (fertilized) every fall. In most areas of NC, late October is the best time to do this.

Like the player who doesn't pick up a bat or glove until the day of tryouts, a field won't be in shape to play on if it's ignored until it's time to start playing.

 

Answer !!

Convince them it's the football field !!--Guru

 

Tell the Baseball team it's thier practice field. It will be in great shape in no time.

 

Daddydobber will have a chance to see this field today at 4:30. We do have lights, but they've never been cut on yet...LOL

 

At the risk of being called ignorant again I'll throw in my 2 cents......

The first step is to establish a level of ownership of the field with and for the coach. It may sound simplistic and shallow ,but in my experience where there is a will there's a way. I have admired a number of coaches I have worked with over the years who have operated with nothing and this is not limited to softball. Their willingness and persistance have resulted in the involvement of local administration as well as the community over time to develop facilities and programs that became the new standard and expectation.

This is not intended to be a negative to any coach who already gives til it hurts.....it is simply a statement of my personal experience and observation.