Field Maintenance Instructions (Updated as of 2/25/25)

• Infield rakes are along 3rdr base bull pen fence on each field
• Batters box templates are along 3rd^rbase bull pen fence on each fiel
• Metal infield and base path drags are along 3rd base bull pen fence on each field
• Hoses and bases need to be put away after the last game
• Line Painter and Paint
• Extra chalk is located in the shed

• The field shed includes a setup for each field

• 3 bases and 3 breakaway plugs (per field)
• Wheelbarrow
• Base dig-out tool
• Hose
• Line reel

• Paint stripping machine and paint

Pre-Game Work: Visitors Team

* Take the wheel burrow from the shed that is designated to the field you’re playing on

Infield and baselines

1. All infields and basepaths should be drug first. If completed from previous day or game proceed to spraying down the dirt
   

2. Using the infield drag mat with the long handle, Drag from home plate to the base and back from the base to home plate. Never drag the dirt towards or into the grass as it creates lips.

   Using the larger metal drag, drag the entire infield area. Make sure you overlap when you change directions. The drags are along 3^rd base bull pen fence on each field
   

3. Do not drag dirt into the grass areas as it creates lips 

4. Once dragging is complete, give the infield a light watering. No puddles.

Painting the batter's boxes

1. Get the single can line painting machine from the field box. Make sure the can has paint. Extra paint is located in the shed, use partials first.
2. Retrieve the batters box template. They are along 3rd base bull pen fence on each field.
3. Lay the template down with the small square part against the side of home plate in the dirt.
4. Trace the inside of the template with the base clean out tool or gently step along the entire template. This will leave an impression in the dirt. Do this to both sides.
5. Follow that impression left in the dirt or the tracing you just made with the base clean out tool with the line paint. Paint the outer edge of the line to create the batters box..
6. Place the template back  along 3rd base bull pen fence on each field

Painting the baselines and foul lines

1. Each string reel will have a nail at the end of it. Insert the nail behind the apex (back) of home plate.
2. Unreel the string down the baseline beyond first base and onto the grass where the line is already painted on the grass
   
3. Now, from home plate you start painting the line on the inside (towards the pitching mound) of the string all the way to the grass
4. If the grass (outfield) line is starting to fade, please paint that as well
5. Follow the same process for the other side

Install the bases

1. Bases are located in the wheel burrow.

2.  Remove the plugs from the base receiver in the infield. If the base receivers are filled with dirt, use the dig-out tool to remove enough dirt to insert the base.

3. Place the base plugs into the wheelbarrow so they do not get lost.  
4. Insert breakaway plug into base and insert the base into the insert in the dirt.

Post-Game Work: Home Team

* Take the wheel burrow from the shed that is designated to the field you’re playing on

Batter's box

1.  Fill in any low spots created by the batters using the rake or infield drag mat. The infield rakes and drag mats are along 3rd base bull pen fence on each field. Make sure that the dirt is level with home plate. Never rake the dirt towards the grass.

2.  Water lightly after completed, and cover with mat if you are the last game of the day.

Pitcher's Mound (Juniors Field Only)

1. Fill in any low spots created by the pitcher using the rake. Pay special attention to the front of the pitching rubber and the landing area (front foot plant). Never rake the dirt towards the grass.

2. Use the dirt tamper to compact the dirt in the front of the pitching rubber and the landing area. Adding a small amount of water will help with the compaction. The holes created during the game should be even with surrounding soil and compact.

3. Water the mount lightly if there is another game that day. If you were the last game of the day, water the mound GENEROUSLY.

Infield and Base path area

1. Remove the bases and insert the base plugs. Place them in the wheel burrow.
2. Locate the base path drag mat with the long handle. You will drag from home plate to the base and back from the base to home plate.
3. We do not drag towards the infield/foul territory grass, only towards the bases and back to home plate. This will prevent lips in the grass on both sides of the base path.
4. Using the larger metal drag, drag the entire infield area. Make sure you overlap when you change directions. The drags are along 3^rd base bull pen fence on each field. Do not drag dirt into the grass areas as it creates lips. You need to pick up the drag when you are completed so that you don't drag any dirt into the grass.
5. Water the infield area lightly if there is another game that day. If you were the last game of the day, water the infield GENEROUSLY.
6. Also spray the infield grass if you are the last game of the day.

Watering the infield

1. Retrieve the hose from the wheel burrow.
2. Behind each pitchers mound there is an 8” round green plastic cover at dirt level. Remove that cover and expose water pipe.
3. When turning the water on and off, MAKE SURE THE HOSE SPRAYER IS TURNED ON (OPEN). If the pressure has nowhere to go when you turn on the water, it will blast you in the face!
4. Lift the small metallic cover on the pipe to expose the female connection. On the end of the hose there is a male quick coupler.
5. Insert the male side into the pipe in the ground. Align the small locking tab on the male end with to groove in the female coupler.
6. While keeping downward pressure on the male coupler, grab the small bar handle that’s on the side of the male coupler on the hose and turn the coupler clockwise about 180 to 270 degrees. This will turn the water on.
7. Roll up the hose and put it back in the wheel burrow. When rolling up the hose make sure you drain as much water out of it before returning it to the wheelbarrow.

Now return the wheel burrow with all of its contents back to the shed. Make sure to lock the shed. All field equipment and tools (drags, template, and rakes) should be placed along 3^rd base bull pen fence on each field. Please lock the field gates when all is completed for the day.