BEFORE THE FIRST GAME/PRACTICE OF THE DAY

1. If necessary, remove, fold and store tarps.
2. If necessary, lightly dampen the infield, base paths, and home plate area with water. The hose cart and spigot are located in the back of the equipment shed behind the major’s scoreboard.
3. Drag the infield skin, working to keep your drag at least 6 inches away from the infield and outfield grass.
4. Rake the field edge, rake with the grass edge not into it, and avoid pulling infield material into the grass edge!
5. Rake the base paths, working up and down the lines, not side to side. Please avoid the use of the field drag on our base paths!
6. Rake the home plate area.
7. Use the metal template to mark the batters’ boxes, and then chalk the lines you’ve marked. The chalker—along with any additional necessary equipment—should be located in the equipment room underneath the press box, or in the equipment shed behind the major’s scoreboard.
8. Chalk the foul lines by attaching the end of the baseline string to the point of home plate, then rolling it down each base path on the outside of the base, to the outfield fence. Once the string is rolled out, use the chalker to slowly mark INSIDE the baseline string.
9. Return tools and maintenance equipment to the equipment room beneath the press box, or in the equipment shed behind the major’s scoreboard.
10. Play ball!

AFTER THE LAST GAME/PRACTICE OF THE DAY

1. Rake base paths and base areas, taking care to repair any divots or indentations from game play.
2. Rake the mound and home plate area, taking care to repair any holes or low spots present from wear during play.
3. Drag the infield, as described above.
4. Rake the infield edge as described above.
5. Lightly wet loose material used to fill low spots on the mound, home plate area and base paths then tamp.
6. If tarps were removed for play, put back in place.
7. Return tools and maintenance equipment to the equipment room beneath the press box, or in the equipment shed behind the major’s scoreboard.
8. Lock all doors and equipment sheds.

IN CASE OF STANDING WATER

To repair puddles or standing water on dirt surfaces, please start by using sponges located in the equipment room underneath the press box, or in the equipment shed behind the major’s scoreboard, to remove standing water.  Once standing water is no longer present, use the Quick Dry mix located in the equipment room underneath the press box, or in the equipment shed behind the major’s scoreboard. Pour some Quick Dry onto the affected area – a little goes a long way! – Allow 5 minutes or so for absorption to take place. Then use a rake to blend with the surrounding dirt.

With your cooperation in completing these basic tasks, field safety and playability is increased substantially.

*These tasks may be beneficial for players of all ages to learn.  With their help, pre and post field prep time can be dramatically decreased! 

*Please avoid stepping on field edges; this will help maintain the integrity of our infields over time