Pre-game field prep
Pre-game for Fields C5-C8 and C9, C10, & C12, using a hose to wet down the batters box and pitchers landing area isn't a bad idea. There are 2 hoses on the outside of the Clubhouse or behind the backstop. Don't try to do the whole field! Mix up the clay while watering using a rake and then use the tamps to compact the area. This will help with the "holes" in the batters box, catcher's area, pitcher's landing spots, etc.
Make sure the hoses are coiled back up and out of the way so they don't get run over or destroyed.
Lining fields
Mondays and Saturdays the whole field should be lined for the first game of the day. Some divisions have assigned teams to those responsibilities. Otherwise the Home Team is always responsible to get the field ready daily.
Each weekday (Tuesday-Thursday) teams should just redo the batters boxes and the baselines that need it. You do not need to redo the whole field. For Saturday later games just redo the batters boxes only if absolutely necessary.
When lining fields the use only a limited amount of lime (chalk) in the line machines. If you fill them up more than half way they clog. Only fill the hopper half way up, so make sure to bring a bag of lime with you when you get the machine. With the machines that can adjust the line size, only use the smaller 2" line setting.
Line Machines and unused bags of lime MUST BE RETURNED TO THE STORAGE AREAS YOU GOT THEM FROM. Do NOT leave them out in the elements. Also please make sure the line machine is as empty as possible.
When lining the base lines, they go to the base NOT along the side of the base. The base is in FAIR territory, dirt on the outside of the base (left side of 3rd/right side of 1st) is in FOUL territory. The string line is run from the point of home plate (that's where you put the "nail-end" in the ground) then to the side of the base. You then keep the chalked baseline on the inside of the string line (left side to 1st/right side to 3rd), it does not go on the string line. See picture below.
FYI Baseball foul lines do not go the the corners of the batters boxes for baseball, they intersect about 1/3 of the way in from outside.
Post game maintenance
After games have finished, teams should fill in holes at home plate (batters box & catchers position) and at the pitchers mound. Teams should also tidy up around each base, pushing the material back into the low spots. Assign this job to an Assistant Coach or a parent who is willing to do this while your team is talking after the game.
DRAGGING OF FIELDS
Fields should not be drug by teams before games during the week or between games on Saturdays.
Complex Staff and Field Directors will drag as needed during the week, usually only after a rain event. Select Teams should continue to drag after their practices/games Fridays & Sundays as instructed by their Division's Field Director & the Select Coordinator.
However...
All teams should fix up fields daily by raking the "bad" areas (batters boxes, around bases, pitchers mound, base lines, etc.). Each field should have multiple rakes on the main quad (Fields C5-C8) & C13. Tee Ballers and Pinto Softball (Fields C1-C4 & C14-C15) should also have rakes around their fields. The Complex Staff will make sure fields are drug for Monday's games and Saturday's games.
If you for some reason are ever asked to smooth drag a field by your division's Field Director (usually if rain is forecast), there are some things to remember:
- GO SLOW! The faster you go the more "waves" you make in the field. Slow down. Just barely touch the accelerator.
- Stay 6" or more away from the lip/outfield grass. Make sure to keep the drag out of the grass.
- Don't hit or run over the bases.
- Start from the outside, around the fence and the grass/lip, and drag towards pitchers mound. You want to pull the material back onto the base paths and areas that it was removed from.
- When completed and you pull up the drag, DO NOT leave a pile of material on the field. Grab a rake and rake it level off.
- Watch that your "Dust Storm" is not heading onto another field! Stop if it is. The other teams and spectators will appreciate it!
