Photo Credit: © ISTOCKPHOTO.COM / LISA MARZANO
Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and Jackie Robinson--you know their names, but do you know who maintained their fields? Personally, and I may be a bit biased, I believe that a good--and safe--baseball game requires not only athletic players, but also properly manicured fields. This month, I’m outlining a few steps to help you maintain any baseball field--whether it’s used by varsity players or YMCAers. Every field has its own set of unique conditions, but following these key steps will pave the way for the next generation of All-Stars.
Mound And Base-Path Maintenance
What is baseball without the iconic pitcher’s mound and base paths? At Virginia Tech, I usually spend 90 percent of my time maintaining the infield because it is so important to the game. If a ball doesn’t roll just right or if it hits a lip and pops up, the players (and probably the coaches) are going to blame the field--which is why I pay special attention to the soil.
Probably the biggest problem I face going into baseball season is what I call “cake-batter soil.” Every winter here in Virginia, ice crystals form within the soil, causing it to expand. The sun thaws the crystals just in time for more to form. This freeze-thaw-repeat cycle causes the soil to become fluffy, like cake-batter, which is not good for traction.