A demonstration was given on how to create a new pathway, one that can handle water and not be easily washed out. Here, a Fieldtopmaker removes a top layer of weeds and rogue grasses and levels the surface.

The grass gets cut at 7:00 a.m., the field gets a light nail drag at 8:00 a.m., and a mat drag at 10:00 a.m.; then it?EUR??,,????'???s rolled and raked. Throughout the day, the field is watered every two hours; each time the amount of water is reduced. Before batting practice, the infield gets raked again.

That?EUR??,,????'???s what game day is like for Barney Lopas, head groundskeeper of the world champion Anaheim Angels, and demonstrator at Hall-Irwin Corporation?EUR??,,????'???s recent 2003 Sports Field and Pathway Symposium at the Aurora Sports Complex in Colorado. Hall Irwin?EUR??,,????'???s material sales division supplies most of Colorado?EUR??,,????'???s parks and sports field complexes with topdressing material and a wide range of mixes for root zones, infields and warning tracks, and natural pathways.

The $20 million Aurora Sports Complex covers 215 acres and includes support buildings, 23 full-sized soccer fields, 12 softball fields and almost three acres of natural pathway trails. It was here that industry experts demonstrated the four major elements of sports field maintenance: covering infields, soil stabilization, pathways, and turf.

Infield Maintenance

The key to infield maintenance is having the proper amount of moisture, Mr. Lopas explained. And the only way to maintain proper moisture is to have the right kind of infield mix. If an infield gets too dry, it will become loose and blow away-too wet and it becomes a sponge. Both conditions lead to lost play and major maintenance.

Mr. Lopas recommends a stabilized mix, which requires less watering. He also incorporates Turface, which helps absorb and retain moisture in the playing surface. ?EUR??,,????'??I use around 40 bags a year as a base, and sometimes six bags a day to maintain the field.?EUR??,,????'??

To keep your pitcher?EUR??,,????'???s mound and batter?EUR??,,????'???s box in top shape, Mr. Lopas recommends lightly watering the areas and covering them to prevent cracking.

What else can you do to maintain the proper amount of moisture? Have your field professionally laser-leveled to make sure your slopes are optimal for runoff.

For low areas around the bases, sweep out the loose material in low spots, water heavily and rake it to get a good bonding layer. Then add more infield mix and let it sit overnight (at least 6-8 hours) before rolling it. ?EUR??,,????'??If you don?EUR??,,????'???t have a roller, use a cart or truck,?EUR??,,????'?? Mr. Lopas suggested.

How to repair a hole in a batter box, pitching mound, or landing area:

1. Prepare the hole by digging down to a hard surface.
2. Fill the hole with a quality clay product like Hilltopper from Stabilizer Solutions or from Profile Products. If you try to fill the entire hole, you?EUR??,,????'???ll only compact the top part during the tamping process and the bottom will remain soft.
3. Rake the clay material.
4. Tamp the material until you have a solid clay material. Put a bag or towel on top of the material to keep the clay from sticking to the tamper.
5. Continue adding layers until the desired height is reached.
6. Put a thin layer of infield mix on top.

"Start with a good soil profile and continue to feed it with top dressing," advised Larry Musser, president of PRZ Sports.

Soil Stabilization

Beginning the July 4 weekend, games were played on one of the Aurora complex?EUR??,,????'???s fields from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for six days with only a 10 minute break between games for field prep. When the field, which had a less expensive, sand-based infield mix, did not get enough moisture and became loose and soft.

Darrell Wood, vice president, Material Sales, Hall-Irwin, demonstrated how to fix this and create a new playing surface without removing the old mix. Eight hundred square foot grids were measured out and one bag of stabilizer per grid square was applied with a basic fertilizer spreader. ?EUR??,,????'??When the material has been spread out evenly on the surface, rotor till the stabilizer powder into the infield mix about two feet deep,?EUR??,,????'?? suggested Mr. Wood. ?EUR??,,????'??Use a high speed rotor tiller to get the material well blended.?EUR??,,????'??

A light drag on the field may be needed if the blending disturbs the grade. Then water heavily to activate the stabilizer. Wait one day for the water to settle into the new mix and then roll. ?EUR??,,????'??Rolling the infield compresses the air out of the surface material, compacting the new playing surface,?EUR??,,????'?? Mr. Wood explained.

?EUR??,,????'??You can also mix Turface into the infield to help retain moisture,?EUR??,,????'?? said Charlie Vestal, sports field manager for Profile Product. ?EUR??,,????'??And when you?EUR??,,????'???re field receives too much rain, mix a little Turface in the top and rake it around evenly to maintain a firm playing surface.?EUR??,,????'??

What's the first thing you should do when you take over maintenance on a turf field? Pull soil samples and find out what's under the grass.

Pathway Seminar

When you add stabilizer to crushed stone aggregates it bonds the clay, sand, and aggregate material together to provide a hard durable pathway. Stabilizer is used on pathways around the world, including Central Park in New York City, Minuteman National Park in Massachusetts, and Virginias Arlington National Cemetery.

?EUR??,,????'??The stabilizer bonds the aggregate material together, so wind and rain do not erode the trail,?EUR??,,????'?? said Jim Hubbs, President, Stabilizer Solutions. ?EUR??,,????'??There?EUR??,,????'???s a stabilized pathway in Utah that is underwater seven month?EUR??,,????'???s of the year. When the creek recedes, the path is ready for traffic.?EUR??,,????'??

Stabilized pathway material, distributed in Colorado by Hall-Irwin, is available in many different colors, depending on the quality of local crushed stone. The pathway material is tested to determine the amount of stabilizer needed.

To create a stabilized pathway, compact the native soil and add four inches of road base and compact again. The stabilizer is then mixed with crushed or decomposed granite or 3/8?EUR??,,????'?? minus aggregate screenings. This blend is completely computerized so that it is consistent every time. The material is spread about two inches thick and 25 to 35 gallons of water per ton of material are added to activate the stabilizer. When it sets, it is compacted with a compactor or steel roller.

Left: A system that aerates the soil and applies top dressing at the same time is vital to creating a healthy root zone. Top Right: Larry Musser, president of PRZ Sports, explained the importance of a healthy root zone and its ability to deal with water restrictions. Bottom Right: Barney Lopas, head groundskeeper of the 2002 world champion Anaheim Angels, explained that infields get watered every two hours; each time the amount of water is reduced.

Four Quick Turf Tips

1. Frequent mowing keeps the grass dense and helps it to spread.
2. Have an audit done on your irrigation system.
3. Aerate and top dress with quality topdressing annually.
4. Make sure you overseed on a regular schedule.

Lopas had a large contingent listening to his professional perspective on grounds and turf management at the Aurora Sports Complex.

Turf Maintenance

What?EUR??,,????'???s the first thing you should do when you take over maintenance of a turf field? Pull soil samples and find out what?EUR??,,????'???s under the grass.

That?EUR??,,????'???s the advice of Jim Mueller, athletic field manager for Hall-Irwin. Mr. Mueller was turf manager for the Colorado Rapids soccer team, and assistant turf manager at Folsom Field, where the Colorado Buffaloes play football.

?EUR??,,????'??Once you know what the soil composition is, you can start planning on how you are going to change the soil profile,?EUR??,,????'?? Mr. Mueller explained. ?EUR??,,????'??If you need to change the soil profile, start with an aeration and topdressing program. Aeration reduces the compaction in the soil and provides a source of oxygen to the root zone. It also increases the infiltration rate, especially when using topdressing such as Hall-Irwin Drought Pro. The top dressing fills the aeration holes and feeds the root zone with nutrients and water holding compounds.

?EUR??,,????'??Aerate and top dress throughout the early spring, fall and even early winter if the ground is not frozen,?EUR??,,????'?? Mr. Mueller continued. ?EUR??,,????'??With spring and fall applications your turf will become stronger and more drought tolerant when summer rolls around. Avoid aerating in the heat of summer.?EUR??,,????'??

?EUR??,,????'??Top dressing can change soil profile, but never forget to use the correct material in the first place,?EUR??,,????'?? warned Larry Musser, president of PRZ Sports. ?EUR??,,????'??Start with a good soil profile and continue to feed it with top dressing.?EUR??,,????'??

A demonstration of how to prepare a batter?EUR??,,????'???s box with a hand tamper.