The following information is prepared to assist managers and coaches understand some of the policies and procedures that involve field preparation and maintenance.

GOALS

1. To prepare the playing surfaces and maintain them in a way that minimum effort will be required day-to-day, week-to-week, especially following rain. Fields do not maintain themselves so continual effort is required. However, regular minimum effort always will avoid major work as the season progresses.

2. No holes or depressions in the turf (grass) areas of the fields. These are dangerous and unsafe. They are also the places where water will accumulate.

3. Completely level dirt areas of the fields. Since water seeks the lowest point, any areas below grade will result in large puddles that make for a lot more work after rainstorms. Refill and grade all depressions after each game to avoid depressions near the bases and in the batter's boxes.

4. Grade the infields so that the lowest points are behind the infield dirt and away from 1^st & 3^rd bases.

5. To present professional looking, well maintained, baseball fields at all times. We want straight, clean infield lines whenever possible.

GRASS CUTTING

1. Depending on the time of year, baseball infields should be cut to a standard height twice each week.

2. Outfield grass should be cut to a standard height once per week.

3. Plan ahead to avoid cutting grass after rain. This is not good use of the equipment and it leaves ruts and damages the playing fields.

4. Avoid cutting grass under 1-1/2 inches in height at any time, but most importantly, do not cut grass if at all possible in high temperatures as burning may occur. Never cut more than one third of the top growth off at one time (ex 3" to 2"). If the grass get too high, cut it twice over the period of two days. Failure to follow this could result in turf failure that could take months to overcome.

GETTING FIELD READY - ANY DAY!

1. Inspect entire field for safety. Do not allow activities where unsafe conditions exist. SOME if the things that should not be tolerated are:

        holes or depressions anywhere

        damaged fence or gate areas

        outfield signs not properly secured

        grass not mowed to normal or safe heights

        wet surfaces

2. Insure that all equipment is properly stored before baseball activities begin. Rakes, shovels, empty material bags and grounds equipment have no place in the midst of baseball warm ups or games.

3. Home plate and bases must be securely fastened and there should be NO depressions or defects that would invite an injury. Make sure there are no raised edges on home plate. Make sure there are no gaps between the ground and any base that a foot could get wedged into.

GETTING FIELDS READY AFTER RAIN

When to arrive:

Weekdays - Get to the field at least one hour before game time. If you are unable get someone from you team there. Weekends - get to the field as early as you can after a rainstorm on Saturday or Sunday. It is vitally important that team representatives from teams playing later in the day get there to prepare the field for play. Later games may be cancelled if no one shows in the morning to get the field ready.

Know whom the Executive Officer of the day is to find out what decisions have been made regarding games for that day. By and large ALL games will be played or NO games will be played although there are exceptions to this. Work together to make the correct decision.

What to Do:

1. Remove all standing water from fields. We have hand pumps and buckets you can use to remove the water. Dump water outside of fences and away from spectator areas.

2. Removal of wet infield dirt may also be required. If so, use one of our tractors and carts. Dump the wet infield mixes next to the pile of infield mix used to replace the wet infield mix. It can be re-used.

3. Use one of our Toro Infield Pro machines to scarify the infield. We will have clinics so that you are familiar with use operation and maintenance of this and all equipment. If you need instructions please just ask. Someone will be more than happy to instruct you at any time. If you prefer, you may use shovels to turn the infield material over, putting the wet soil underneath the dryer soil that you bring to the surface.

4. Use of Terra Green (drying agents) is appropriate only after steps 1-3 have been taken. To be clear, this in NOT OPTION #1. Terra Green is not the solution to an unplayable field. It is a wonderful product to make selected areas playable. You may use up to 3 bags of drying agent Little League Fields and 7 bags for regulation size (Babe Ruth) fields. If more than this amount of drying agent is required to make the fields playable, this should be your indication that games should be cancelled.

5. Please take a careful look at fields before playing and note any safety issues. It is vitally important that we only play on safe fields.

6. After games rake all fields, replace all infield depressions with new dirt, clean all dugouts, and return all tools to their proper places.

GETTING FIELDS READY FOR GAMES – NO RAIN

1. Get to the field early and rake and line field before batting practice.

2. If you are unable to get there early, stop batting practice 15 minutes prior to the scheduled game time to prepare the fields.

3. Please take a careful look at fields before playing and note any safety issues. It is vitally important that we only play on safe fields.

4. After games rake all fields, replace all infield depressions with new dirt, clean all dugouts, and return all tools to their proper places.

TOP 10 LIST OF WAYS TO GET JOHN HALLORAN TO YELL AT YOU

Pitching batting practice from in front of the pitchers mound.

Hitting baseballs (soft toss) into fences anywhere in the park.

Sweeping or raking mud from the infield areas onto the turf areas. Never, ever, no reason is acceptable.

Raking across baselines. Always rake the baseline lengthwise. Raking across creates drainage swales.

Driving a truck or car on the field. Drivers on a field after a rainstorm are subject to be shot on site.

Scalping grass from setting blade too low.

Putting terra green in the grass areas. There are weed inhibitors in the material that will kill the grass.

Using the field equipment without checking fluid levels.

Not washing mud and grass off of field equipment when you are finished with it.

Five words – Do Nuttin’ but complain Fathers.