How to build a field?

Hi Kids- We have a rundown field that we want to fix up and turn into a first-rate field.

Can you tell me where would be the best place to get info to start something like this? I'm thinking mostly construction of the infield- makeup of the IF dirt, I know clay bricks are used in front of the pitchers plate but I don't know what kind of subsurface, thicknesses, etc.

This project may be completed in phases- maybe the field and fencing the first year, bleachers and lighting the next year, any advice on any of this is welcome !

thanks!

I would call park district, might get shuffled for a few days but think where you want.

Weak baseball field is about 70K.

The biggest question that needs to be answered. Who owns the land? Is it donated private property? If so does it have a very long term lease? Is it on a utility easement? If it's city or park district owned I would be VERY careful about improving it.

Where are the funds coming from? Private donations, fundraising or from the city or park district?

Unfortunately, as many here will tell you. If the field/land is controlled by a league or park district the boys side will want to seize control of the field once it's been improved. I've seen and heard of it happening time after time. The leagues are usually run by parents on the boys side. There's nothing worse than putting hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars into something only to have someone 5 years later who doesn't have clue try and take it away.

If you really want a real idea of the cost. Contact a company who builds fields professionally. Have an idea of what your finished field will look like and go from there. Do you want real infield dirt material or crushed limestone. Fence or brick dugouts? 30' tall backstops with nets or cyclone fence with the overhangs?

How does the property drain after a heavy rain? That may need to be addressed.

Who will do the maintenance on field?

When it comes to something as large as you're talking you're best not to try and DIY it. Unless, you know EXACTLY what you're doing. Know a program who DIY'd one and the field had all kinds of drainage issues. The guy who ran the program was dangerous when it came to things like that. There was the right way, wrong way and his way which was usually doing wrong because he "knew better" than everyone else. Then doing it the right way spending nearly double.

Don't forget the 80/20 rule. 80% of the work is done by 20% of those involved.

I don't want to sound so negative. But it's the reality of things. You know the old saying. "No good deed goes unpunished."

We built a beautiful HS field last summer. I oversaw it and sparky is wrong. That rule needs to be 98/2 rule!

PM me and I will give you my phone, we can talk and I can get you all the info on what we did.

I've renovated a lot of fields. It's a hobby of mine and it's not that big of a deal IF you do a little planning. I buy infield aggregate in bulk because I have a tractor to help move it around. A typical full renovation on a softball infield will take about 10 tons of agg and about half that if you have a decent base already.

Are you wanting to play quickly after the renovation or could you take a month to let it settle ? That's a big part of it. I have no idea how the book or internet say do it here's how I do it and it works perfectly for me

I always use Turface, Pro Choice, or Hydrocks (much cheaper). I also buy in bulk if I can find it. It's typically around $85 per ton bulk. You can buy it in 50 pound bags, have it delivered, and place it by had also. Bags are around 8-10 each. Ask for a bulk discount every time and shop it around.

1. Kill the weeds. I use RM43 which prevents regrowth roundup will also work fine.
2. Lay out and paint your diamond. I use a 60ft arch from the rubber.
3. Skim on about 2in of your infield mix all over the field EXCLUDING THE CIRCLE, BATTERS BOXES, AND CATCHERS BOX.
4. Get a tiller and till in your mix. A rear tine tiller will also help rough level it as well.
5. Lock the field and walk away until several good rains happen. You want it to settle down and start to tighten up
6. Buy clay bricks You'll want to dig out a pitchers lane, batters box, and catchers box to the depth of your brick plus about 3/4in (for infield mix on top). Place your bricks side by side and tamp them down. You may need a little water to make it stick if the bricks are drying out. IF you clay you will only be able to fill and repair with clay. Dirt doesn't stick to clay, so you'll have to use powdered clay and water for repairs.
7. Skim over with 1 in of your infield mix and rake it out. Done!

Keep in mind that you'll have to tarp the circle and batters boxes if you use clay. You want the moisture level to be right.

If you just want to skim with an infield mix and be doe with it you can use a nail drag instead of a tiller. Do a little over time. Maybe 1in then let is settle and add more as needed . The turface will mix in naturally. You do not was too deep of a surface because it will ruin your bounce and slow your runners

Also, to set bases make sure you use the pythagorean theorem to make sure everything is square. There's nothing worse than bad field geometry. I use a 60ft arch from the rubber. It seems to be a perfect maesurement

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If one field is ok after rain and the other field is not, it is usually a grading issue. Rain is supposed to shed off the field with 1/2 degree slope. Infield mix is a science, it is not just throw done dirt and hope for the best. Infield mix is made up of sand, slit and clay certain percentage of each. A good resource to learn about infield mix is beacon athletics website.

Cheers for suggesting the Beacon Athletics website, Etdad. Never heard of it before and it looks like a great resource indeed.