Laguna Youth Baseball Field Maintenance Instructions February 2009 1) Pitchers Mound a) Use Field Rake to move dirt UP towards pitching rubber. Never rake down towards the grass line b) Pull any dirt on the grass lip around the mound back on to the dirt area around the mound c) Fill in the holes in the pitcher’s mound. If a hole is deeper than a couple of inches, scrape the soft dirt out of the hole, wet the hole then push a thin layer of dirt in and tamp it down watering again and then repeating until the hole is solidly filled. d) Level and tamp dirt flat in front of the rubber. Make sure all holes are filled on the pitchers mound e) Rake lightly for final finish and spray thoroughly 2) Home Plate/Batters Box a) Use field rake to push dirt from areas behind the plate to fill in holes in the batters boxes and catcher’s box. b) Fill in the holes in both the batter’s box and the catcher’s box. If a hole is deeper than a couple of inches, scrape the soft dirt out of the hole, wet the hole then push a thin layer of dirt in and tamp it down watering again and then repeating until the hole is solidly filled. c) Level the dirt around the plate with the field rake going in a circular patter around the plate and hose spray thoroughly 3) First and Third Baselines a) Use the rake to push dirt away from the grass line on both sides of the line, then drag or field rake lengthwise to the baseline b) Use the hose and tamper to fill in any holes and finish with the field rake and thoroughly spray 4) Infield a) Use the field rake to push dirt in from the outer parts of the infield toward the bases where dirt is typically displaced by sliding b) Use the hose and tamper to fill in any holes and finish with the field rake and thoroughly spray c) Drag the infield AFTER the bases have been removed starting on the inside and working your way out. NEVER run the drag up on the grass edges. Turn before hitting the grass edge with the drag and use the field rake at the outer edges d) After dragging, use the field rake to push dirt away from inside grass edge to prevent a lip from forming e) Be sure the base pegs markers are clearly visible for the next game f) Finish with a thorough hose spraying of the complete infield 5) Outfield a) Fill any holes with dirt and report any hazards 6) Wet Fields (when need to prepare field for a game ONLY) a) If you are just having practice, please allow field to dry and avoid wet areas b) DO NOT RAKE MUD and WET DIRT INTO THE GRASS c) If you need the field for a game, rake and drag mud to dry dirt areas, mix with dry dirt, allow to dry as long as possible, then rake the dried dirt back into the area, tamp down and level out. 7) Put away Equipment Properly a) Put rakes, shovels, and tools away along the side of the shed b) Put bases on shelf c) Coil up hoses neatly and hang on hose racks. If there is not a hose rack put the hose neatly in the wheel barrel 8) Please report any problems with the field to fieldmanager@lagunayouthbaseball.com or fill out the form on the website at www.lagunayouthbaseball.com.