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Infield Skin Maintenance
Bill Deacon
New York Mets,Citi Field,,Flushing,NY,11368
bdeacon@nymets
Luke Yoder
SD Padres
lyoder@padres.com
Eric Blanton
Reno Aces
eric@renoaces.com
John Turnour
john.turnour@nationals.com
Grant McKnight
Dura-Edge/Natural Sand Co
gmcknight@dura-edge.com
Title: Infield Mixes A-Z
Format: Workshop (2-4 hours)
Description
This presentation will cover all aspects of infields, manufacturing, construction, maintenance and
everything in between
Delivery
This will be a panel discussion that will include demonstrations, case studies and some brief
lectures
Outline
We will do brief presentations followed by discussions and questions, i would like to include one
of each of the following people:
Manufacturer-Grant McKnight
Construction-Denis Brolin from STS or John Sulinski from Landtek
Minor League Groundskeeper-Eric Blanton
2MLB Groundskeepers-East Coast John Turnour, West Coast Luke Yoder
Collegiate Groundskeeper-TBD Bill Deacon, i would moderate and keep the discussion moving
as well as organize the presentation
Objectives
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An all inclusive infield mix seminar and round table that covers all aspects of infield mix My
goal is to provide the attendees with the chance to learn about construction, maintenance and the
manufacturing of infield mix and how they are all intertwined and you need quality and
consistency in each phase
Experience
I have never done this presentation before but did a presentation of my own on infield mixes last
year and had standing room only, we could have gone on for an extra hour on questions. I have
been doing a lot of interactive presentations for local groups and the NJ and NY STMA. I spoke
to a lot of people that said we needed more infield mix discussions
References
Larry Divito-Minnesota Twins-larrydivito@twinsbaseball.com
Eric Hansen-Los Angeles Dodgers-erich@ladodgers.com
Mike Hebrard
Athletic Field Design,12586 SE Bluff Dr.,,Clackamas,OR,97015
hebrard@athleticfield.com
Title: Infield Transition from Grass to Dirt and Back to Grass
Format: Can fit to conference needs
Description:
How to remove a grass infield, prepare it for softball play on a skinned infield and return it to
grass in two weeks for Tournament play
Delivery:
Power Point Presentation with slides and time lapse videos Have done this the past 2 years for
the Little League Softball World Series Have resodded entire infield 3 other times and had play 8
days later
Outline:
Differnt Techniques for removing sod, preparing dirt for regrading infield skin for tournament
play, Regrading for installation of grass, sodding or seeding Scheduling Suppliers, equipment
and Work Force Being flexible and still provide a quality product
Objectives:
How to prepare your field for a special event and return it to its original use
How to organize suppliers, facility and labor force to meet timeline and provide needed results
How to build confidence in preparing a infield for tournament play
Experience
Presented to Baseball Coaches and Little League Seminars and Conventions
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References
Carl Cadonau Jr. Alpenrose Dairy Portland, Oregon (503) 244-1133
Bob Hudlow Softball World Series Tournament Director Portlan, Oregon (503)312-3272
Mike Hebrard
Athletic Field Design,12586 SE Bluff Dr.,,Clackamas,OR,97015
hebrard@athleticfield.com
Title: Tartan (Mowing Patterns) on Skin Infields
Format: Innovative Session (15 minutes)
Description
To hightlight a skin infield using Calcine Clay or other infield conditioners to create a mowing
pattern effect. What I learn to be more precise, quicker and add creativity for the Championship
or Big Game. By establishing measuring points, coordination of other field workers and different
patterns.
Delivery
The use of Power Point slides, time lapse video and graphic drawings will demonstrate the
simplicitly of creating this innovative application
Outline
Selecting Pattern to apply
Process layout
Equipment and product amount
Number of support staff needed
Timing and back up plans
Provide a identification of event
Locale
Objectives
Layout Strategies
Equipment and amount of product needed
Other pattern options
Supplies
Handouts of recent article as featured in the February 2012 issue of SportsTurf magazine. I will
bring a flash drive and my laptop for backup. The ability to show time lapse video thru
presentation
Experience
Innovative Freehand logo painting
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Sports field layout
Event logo painting
Infield construction
2 HR Infield Reovation
HS Baseball Coaches Convention Oregon
New mound construction
References
Bob Hudlow Softball World Series Tournament Director,(503)312-3272 rpnahud@comcast.net
Bob Proctor North Shore Golf Course Superintendent (252)952-6097 Bpt5331@comcast.net
Jim Hermann
Total Control Inc.,37B Spencer Lane,,Annandale,NJ,08801
totalcontroljim@embarqmail.com
Title: Considerations in Infield Construction and maintenance
Format: Concurrent Session (1-1.25 hours)
Description
This presentation would be 2 part and take the audience from construction thru maintenance
utilizing time proven criteria designed to provide a safe playable infield at a municipal level
Delivery
PowerPoint, discussion
Outline
The presentation will utilize the "Criteria for a Benchmark infield" as a reference to take the
audience from construction or renovation thru maintenance of a low budget municipal infield. It
will answer questions on material selection, grading, basic maintenance procedures.
Criteria for a Benchmark Infield
By Jim Hermann, CSFM
Over the past 25 years I have worked on my fair share of infields and made my fair share of
mistakes. I believe it is accurate to say that any wisdom I have accumulated during that time is
based on those mistakes. We learn very little by doing it right the first time.
In view of those mistakes, I have developed what I consider to be the criteria for a benchmark
infield. That is, a list of recommendations that every infield should conform to in order to be
deemed safe, playable and durable.
Every infield should:
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Maintain positive surface drainage within a range of .75 to 1.5% slope to minimize
standing water or erosion.
This criterion is field specific. Every reasonable effort should be made to provide positive
surface drainage the shortest distance possible to evacuate surface water from the infield and
minimize erosion
Every reasonable effort should be made to prevent funneling of water to minimize erosion
The dominant slope should never be parallel with a base path. You can have a ½% slope parallel
to a base path as long as you have at least a ¾% slope perpendicular to that same path.
I believe 1% to be the ideal slope for both infield turf and skinned area. I have seen unacceptable
erosion at 1 ¼ % slope on the infield skin when the distance the water travels is too great. I have
seen surface water continue weep onto the skinned area from an infield turf area graded at ¾%.
Provide a home plate with a minimum ¾% rise in elevation from any point a distance of 9’
from that home plate.
Home plate should be elevated so as not to promote standing water
Home plate should be at the same elevation or slightly higher than any other base.
Exhibit a smooth transition into adjacent turf areas
The most neglected area of infield maintenance is the lip or interface between the skin and the
perimeter turf. By the same token, it has been my experience that more damage occurs on an
infield due to improper maintenance than by no maintenance at all.
Be free of unwanted vegetation within the perimeters of the infield skin
Be constructed with ease of maintenance as a paramount objective
I prefer base paths 12” wider than the width of the drag
I prefer an offset foul line favoring the inside of the base path to minimize lip buildup adjacent to
the 1st and 3rd bases
Be graded in a way that does not allow runoff from adjacent areas onto the playing area
The only surface water you should have to deal with on an infield is the water that falls from the
sky.
Be graded so as not to allow standing water to accumulate either on the infield or in
adjacent turf areas
Utilize an infield mix compatible with both the level of play and level of maintenance.
I have come to the conclusion that there is no perfect infield mix.
Safety and playability are in no way a direct correlation to the sand, silt and clay ratios of an
infield mix.
Safety and playability are not the direct result of the products you use but moreover how you use
those products
Provide reasonable accuracy in mandatory dimensions
Baseline and diagonal distances
Pitching distance
Be constructed with safety as a paramount objective
Use of warning tracks
Fence height compatible with the age of the players
Style of bases compatible with the level of play
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Safe distances to obstructions off the playing area
These are just a few of the considerations when planning for the reconstruction of an existing
infield.
Objectives
1. Will gain an awareness of the basic construction requirements for a safe playable infield
2. Will gain an understanding of the basic objectives in infield maintenance
3. Will gain more understanding of infield mix selection
Experience
I have presented material at Rutgers Short Courses and SFMANJ field days. This topic was in
part the basis for an article written by me for the January 2012 issue of Sports Turf.
References
Dr. Jim Murphy Rutgers murphy@AESOP.Rutgers.edu
Don Savard, CSFM donsavard@msn.com
Additional notes from email:
I recently submitted a presentation for your consideration for the 2013 STMA convention. The
objective of the presentation would be to provide an understanding of the interrelationship
between the construction/renovation specifications and the anticipated level and style of
maintenance on any given municipal/low budget infield. The presentation would hinge on the
attached criteria I have developed over the years. I guess if a person doesn’t subscribe to these
criteria, he or she wouldn’t want to view my presentation. I am a one man band that has spent 25
years constructing, renovating and maintaining municipal infields. The fact that I do it all myself
makes me somewhat of an anomaly within the industry, but gives me a greater appreciation and
possibly a greater understanding of how each area of construction, renovation and maintenance
influences the other. This presentation could be a 1 hour over view or it could lend itself to a 2
hour workshop that provides a more in depth investigation and review of the topic.
thank you fro your consideration
Jim Hermann, CSFM
Norman Hummel
Hummel & Co. Inc.,P. O. Box 606,,Trumansburg,NY,14886
norm@hummelandco.com
Title: Infield Soils: The Science Behind the Art
Format: Concurrent Session (1-1.25 hours)
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Description
This talk will cover the science of infield soils, including how soil texture, influences field
performance. I will discuss soil texture, what is best for infield soils, types and amounts of clay,
and water retention.
Delivery
Lecture
Outline
Intro - objectives
Soil texture - definition, types
Clay types and characteristics
Soil texture on performance, specifically water retention.
Approaches for amending infield soils.
Objectives
Participants will understand testing behind infield and pitcher’s mound mixes
To learn how soil texture influences performance, including water retention
To understand that there are different types of clays.
Learn techniques for amending soils in place
Experience
Have given hundreds of talks at state, regional, and national conferences. This was presented at
New England Turf Conference in 2012, MLB groundskeepers in 2011. It will be updated.
References
Troy Smith (303-649-0545)
Mary Owen (508-892-0382)
Troy heard the talk in New England if you want his feedback.
Jim Reiner
Sunrise Little League,7225 Cross Drive,,Citrus Heights,CA,95610
reinerj@saccounty.net
Title: K-16 Baseball Field Maintenance & Renovation With Limited Resources.
Format: Concurrent Session (1-1.25 hours)
Description
We all want to get the most out of what we put into taking care of our ballparks. But, we are
facing the worst financial crisis in our history. And our leaders struggle with budget shortfalls
and its impact. Many people come use ballparks day after day, see the problems, but really don’t
have any idea where to start to fix it. From K-12, to park and recs, to high school and collegiate,
many coaches, parents, and maintenance staff just don’t know where to start or what to do. It can
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be overwhelming. Well, there is a solution. Armed with a couple tools, you can evaluate your
ball park, prioritize improvement efforts, create an action plan you can really implement, and
keep your ballpark in tip top shape into the future. This presentation is for baseball field
maintenance staff, both professional sports turf managers and community volunteers, who don’t
have the resources and staff that premium quality fields have, but want a ball field they can be
proud of. The session will include tips/hints and mistakes to avoid using over two dozen case
study examples from K-12, high school, park and rec, and collegiate.
Delivery
This presentation would be lecture with case study examples and allow for attendee input and
discussion.
Outline
1. Introduction, session description and objectives, a little about the presenter, why people
involved with schools, youth leagues, and park and rec need this information.
2. Getting started. Evaluating your ballpark and identifying priorities for improving safety and
playability: using a pre-season audit checklist, turf and infield skin basics, use of diagrams and
field layouts. Impact of multi use fields and multi tenant complexities as well as single
organization use ball fields. Case studies as examples: several little league, college, park and rec,
high school.
3. Creating a specific action plan for your improvements including tools, equipment, products
and supplies, budget, schedule, and labor. Maintenance goofs and field failures to avoid Lessons learned so these don’t happen to you also. Case studies as examples: several little
league, high school, and park and rec ball fields.
4. Implementing renovation projects and an ongoing maintenance program – basic components,
funding, getting board members, athletic directors, or park officials on board, frequently asked
questions, and then cycling through the entire process again. Specific examples of success in
getting support and funding. Case studies and examples of what worked and did not work.
5. Making sure success isn’t dependent entirely on you alone. Be a hero, but also ensure you
develop a team effort to prevent burnout. Getting teams, the community, and organization
leadership involved and committed to ongoing success and development of field maintainers.
Objectives
“After attending this session, the participant will be able to…”
1. Evaluate your ballpark and identify priorities for improving safety and playability
2. Create a specific action plan for your improvements including tools, supplies, budget,
schedule, and labor
3. Layout a program for ongoing care – basic steps, frequency, and then cycling through the
entire process again
4. Apply case studies to specific ball field issues back home.
Experience
I have been a speaker at national conferences as part of working in the corporate setting. I was a
keynote speaker at the national AT&T conference in Dallas 2008, and a presenter at the national
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HIPAA summit in Washington DC in 2007. I’ve given over 130 briefings and presentations to
government boards, executive director associations, and as part of state and national work
groups. Over a dozen of these presentations and publications are available online. Reference
provided upon request. I’ve never presented this subject at a conference. However, I as part of
my work for Sacramento area little leagues, parks, and K-12 schools I do run a website that
shares much of this in an effort to spread the word. The case studies are projects I was involved
in and did not receive any compensation for. See my website for more info on me and what I've
been doing for thousands of people involved in baseball and softball. www.ultimate-baseballfield-renovation-guide.com.
References
1. Lindley Prichard, President, Sunrise Little League, Citrus Heights, CA.
pressunriselittleleague@yahoo.com 916-628-4615
2. Brad Gunter, vice-principal, athletic director, Valley Christian Academy school, 916-2073861.
Charlie Vestal
Turface Athletics,200 MURPHY ST,,BLACKSBURG,VA,24060
cvestal@profileproducts.com
Title: Soils 101-understanding infield mixes and performance. Not rocket science.
Format: Concurrent Session (1-1.25 hours)
Description:
Presenter will discuss the various components making up an infield mix, the performance traits
of each component and how they interact with each other. Within the talk, performance
expectations of mixes will be discussed along with ways to modify the mix to impact
performance. The sports turf manager will be able to match their expectations with their mix.
Delivery
Lecture and demonstrations
Outline
1.What are the components of infield mixes
a.Sand, silt, clay
b.traits of each
c.desired amounts of each
2.How do they interact
a.characteristics when too wet or too dry
b.the impact on playability and safety
3.What is optimal and how do we get there
a.maintenance
b.products
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c.comparisons
Objectives
1.understand why their mix performs as it does.
2.know how to modify their mix to satisfy their needs and desires.
3.consider various options to an end.
Experience
13 years speaking experience helping people learn about infield soils. Each presentation is
tailored to the audiences level of understanding.
References
Chris Sinacori, Ewing Irrigation 480-297-5860. Larry DiVito, MN Twins 818-618-3190
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