July 2010
FIELD MAINTENANCE TIP OF THE DAY
Friday field maintenance tip of the day!
The pitcher’s mound is flat and requires similar maintenance as a baseball
mound.
TIP: Watering the clays and packing the mound is important after use.
Northshore Amateur Sports Academy, Inc. (Gary, IN)
Learn a little more about one of BTF’s third quarter grant recipients, the Northshore Amateur Sports Academy, Inc.
Northshore Amateur Sports Academy, Inc. (Gary, IN) was established in 2005 to provide year-round educational and recreational opportunities in the community. The academy provides baseball and softball camps and clinics, an all-sport camp and workshops to more than 800 children.
The grant will provide funding for equipment and player and coaches training material to support a learning and resource center, a groundskeeping academy for youth and coaches training and a college readiness program.
Check out the BTF Website to learn how your organization can apply for a grant!
FIELD MAINTENANCE TIP OF THE DAY
The maintenance of softball fields is very similar to baseball fields. Although
similar, there are several issues regarding the maintenance procedures of
infields, mounds and plate areas that vary. The next couple of tips of the day will focus on softball fields!
A softball field is predominately flat with a 1% grade, falling from the center of
the mound.
TIP: Due to the large area of clay, the infields require extensive dragging and shaping to reduce low spots.
FIELD MAINTENANCE TIP OF THE DAY
The field maintenance tip of the day is the final annual checklist example; winter!
Winter Routine:
1. Review field maintenance plan and budget
2. Review upcoming field use schedule
3. Clean, repair or replace field maintenance equipment
4. Plan future renovations or reconstruction projects to be completed next fall
FIELD MAINTENANCE TIP OF THE DAY
Today’s tip of the day is an example of a fall annual checklist! Remember, in addition to a daily field maintenance plans, it is a good idea to also have annual field maintenance checklists.
Fall Routine:
1. Perform soil and tissue tests
2. Aerate the field
3. De-thatch or verticut turf
4. Over-seed and top dress the field
5. Fertilize the field
6. Apply post-emergent herbicides
7. Add ground limestone every other year
8. Complete renovations or reconstruction projects if needed
Baseball Tomorrow Fund 2010 Third Quarter Grant Recipients
BTF Announced the 2010 Third Quarter Grant Recipients
Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) today announced the awarding of third quarter grants totaling more than $215,000 to six communities across the country, including: Gary, Indiana; Gonzales, Louisiana; Miami, Florida; Orlando, Florida; Portland, Maine; and Reidsville, Georgia. The Baseball Tomorrow Fund, a program formed by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, promotes the growth of youth baseball and softball throughout the world by awarding grants to support field renovation and construction projects, equipment and uniform purchases, coaches training material and other selected program expenses.
FIELD MAINTENANCE TIP OF THE DAY
TIP: In addition to daily field maintenance plans, it is a good idea to also have annual field maintenance checklists, today’s annual checklist is for spring!
Annual Field Maintenance Checklist
Spring Routine:
1. Perform soil and tissue tests
2. Aerate the field
3. Top dress the field
4. Fertilize the field
5. Apply pre-emergent herbicides
6. Clean, paint or repair dugouts, fencing, bleacher areas and field signs
FIELD MAINTENANCE TIP OF THE DAY
Field maintenance tip of the day: It is a good idea to have a game day written field maintenance plan, here’s an example of a checklist to use!
Day of Game Routine:
1. Remove tarpaulins
2. Mow the grass
3. Scarify the skinned areas with a spiker
4. Drag the skinned areas smooth
5. Water the infield area
6. Sweep and clean dugouts
7. Set the chalk lines and mark officially
8. Place the batting practice pitcher’s mat on the mound
9. Place the safety screens: pitcher, first base and second base
10. Paint or wash bases, pitching plate and home plate
11. Prepare the bullpens
12. Hang flags on the foul line poles and flagpole
13. Check the operation of the field lights
14. Check the operation of the scoreboard
15. Prepare the press box and operation of the public address system
16. Check the operation of the electrical equipment in the concession stand
17. Clean and prepare the locker rooms and umpire rooms
18. Dispose of trash found in and around field and bleacher areas
FIELD MAINTENANCE TIP OF THE DAY
Here’s another example of a set maintenance checklist!
Daily field maintenance checklist for after practices and games.
TIP: Daily Routine after Practice and Games:
1. Remove the bases and cover the base anchor sleeves
2. Drag the skinned areas and baselines
3. Recondition the mound and home plate area and cover areas with tarps
4. Recondition the bull pen mound and home plate area
5. Replace and tamp any loose divots in turf areas
6. Dispose of trash in and around field and bleacher areas
FIELD MAINTENANCE TIP OF THE DAY
It is a good idea to have a set maintenance checklist, here is an example for one before practice.
Daily Field Maintenance Checklist:
TIP: Daily Routine before Practice:
1. Remove tarps
2. Water skinned areas and baselines
3. Install the bases
4. Erect safety screens for pitcher, first base and second base
5. Place the batting cage at home plate
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