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nlunan@msn.com 203-537-0420 |
"Native-Soil Field Management" |
Design and Construction: Typically new construction will include an internal drainage system incorporating a network of drainage tiles leading to the external drainage site. With higher-level sand-based fields, the drainage tiles are at the base, generally enclosed in filter fabric, and are covered with a layer of pea gravel. This layer is topped with the sand profile material. A layer of filter fabric will be placed between the pea gravel and the skinned area mix to prevent infiltration by the clay. The depth of each layer varies with construction design. The drain lines often are placed on 15-foot centers throughout the field, though some field designs use 15-foot centers for the infield and sidelines and 30-foot centers in the outfield. If the budget allows, it's better to include the additional drains. It's far easier to add water to a field than to take water away. Typically the drains run under the skinned area, though little if any internal drainage will occur there, simply to tie drainage of the infield turf area into another pipeline. The drain lines do need to be sloped properly with some degree of downward fall leading to the collection point. Warning Track: Surface and internal drainage of the warning track depend on the types of natural or synthetic materials used and the construction design. Natural material warning tracks typically have a slight slope though traffic and frequent maintenance make it difficult to maintain the integrity of the slope. Artificial warning tracks generally have an internal drainage line installed. Many field designs include drainage lines in the turf bordering the warning track or incorporate a slit or sand drain around the field. A channel drain around the perimeter of the field also helps collect water run-off from the stands. If possible, drains and a drainage system within the stands can be used to reduce run-off onto the field. Rubber skirting at the bottom of the gates used for field access from the stands also help hold back the water and reduce washout areas. Some older fields featured a catch basin system with grates that could be covered with an artificial turf mat that could be removed to allow water to funnel through. An effective surface drainage system helps remove water from the tarp when the field is covered. Some fields are designed with internal drainage on tighter centers in the area where the tarp water is dumped. This may include vertical drainpipes with caps that can be removed prior to dumping the tarp. Problem Solving: Use imagination in solving drainage problems. Installation of a drainpipe, French drain or slit drain may eliminate a wet area, but will have limited holding capacity, so do tie it to an outside outlet. Upright, capped drain tiles leading to the subsurface drainage tiles can improve water removal on a native soil field. The caps can be removed during heavy rains and additional excess water swept or squeezed into the openings. Swales placed off the playing surface can channel and direct run-off water. Swales should not be used on the playing surface. Even a slight dip and rise system has the potential to cause player injury. Prevent lip buildup along the skinned area and turf transition points. The lip serves as a dam trapping water on the skin. Pay special attention to the back arc of the infield, sweeping or hosing it daily to remove excess material. Be aware that a side effect of the field slope is the washing of skin material into the outfield. The contamination increases following aerification as the infield material washes into the holes created by the process. The clay particles from the skin are so fine they tend to seal off the natural drainage of the soil profile and damage the integrity of the root zone. Over time on high profile fields it will be necessary to solve this problem by removing and replacing a layer of sod approximately four or five feet into the outfield. On fields where the entire infield is a skinned area, monitor maintenance to eliminate the depressions that will be formed by player traffic. The areas around home plate and first base, the spots of choice for the second baseman and shortstop, and to a lesser degree, second and third base, will receive a higher level of wear and require close attention to maintain the integrity of the slope as originally constructed. Whatever the design of the field or the level of play, the groundskeeper must maintain and manipulate drainage to achieve top playability. Tom Burns is director of grounds for the Texas Rangers and STMA board member representing Category I, those in charge of professional sports facilities. He is a frequent contributor to sports turf-related publications and a frequent speaker at turf-related conferences. |
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