What do you use to drag a baseball field?

Use a nail drag to “scarify” the field, which helps break up hard and compacted material on the infield. After scarifying the field, finish grooming the field with a drag mat or broom. When you are a few feet from the outfield grass, lift the drag and shake off any excess field mix.

How do you drag a dirt baseball field?

Start your drag on the edge of the infield skin and work your way inward, ending somewhere around the middle of the infield. The drag loads up with material on the outside and leaves it in the center when you’re done. This helps maintain proper surface grade and drainage.

How often should you drag a baseball field?

The entire infield surface should be nail dragged in two or three directions, and small areas that need attention can get extra passes. Once you have worked everything to your satisfaction, you can screen drag to finish the surface prior to your mid-day watering.

Can you drag a wet baseball field?

Never leave the field “loose” from scarifying or tilling if heavy rains are expected and the field is to be used soon. Rain will penetrate and accumulate in the infield mix. Instead, firm or roll the infield tight so excess rain will shed and follow natural drainage.

How do you make a homemade baseball drag?

How To Build a Nail Drag

1. Build with 2″x4″ boards.
2. Pre-drill straight holes for nails.
3. Use 40 penny nails.
4. Use 1″x4″ to cover 2″x4″ on top to hold in nails.
5. Use eye bolts and a chain for fulling.
6. Stagger nails 1″ apart and have 2 rows in each board.

Why do you drag baseball fields?

Why we drag If it rains before the field is dragged to break up the clods and re-distribute the soil, the clods can “melt” and later harden, leaving a bumpy, uneven surface. Dragging breaks down lumps of soil to smooth the surface (Figure 1). After a field is dragged, it is uniform and visually appealing.

How do you improve drainage on a baseball field?

Keeping the correct slope on an infield skin will drastically improve drainage by allowing surface water to drain off. Over time low areas will develop on your infield skin from a result of play. In turn, water will collect in any low areas. When dealing with standing water, first try to remove as much as possible.

How long does it take for baseball field to dry?

A long, slow light to moderate rain of a couple hours or more is very penetrating and will be deeply absorbed by your infield soil. This type of a rain usually requires longer for the field to dry from. Compare that to a heavy rain lasting 15 to 30 minutes, or even an hour.

How do you prepare a baseball field for rain?

Use rain covers to protect the entire infield or just home plate, the mount and the bases. They’ll help to protect the field from rain, which can damage the playing surface and cause game delays. Turf protectors are effective at defending your infield from concentrated ball force during batting practice.

What kind of drags do you use on a baseball field?

From float drags and rigid drags to nail drags and harrow drags, infield grooming requires that you adapt to the conditions of your infield. The type of infield soil you use and the moisture level will dictate which baseball field drag you need.

How to groom a baseball field with a drag mat?

Auchter suggests following these steps for the best grooming results: 1 Remove all bases and fill each hole with a rubber plug or similar product. 2 Use a nail drag to “scarify” the field, which helps break up hard and compacted material on the infield. 3 After scarifying the field, finish grooming the field with a drag mat or broom.

What kind of equipment do you need for a baseball field?

Field Equipment. Baseball field equipment of all types is carried by Richardson Athletics including Athletic Field Paint, Batter’s Box Templates, Chalk Markers, Drag Mats, Hoses, Sod Rollers, Water Removal Tools and much more.

What kind of drags do you use for infield grooming?

From float drags and rigid drags to nail drags and harrow drags, infield grooming requires that you adapt to the conditions of your infield. The type of infield soil you use and the moisture level will dictate which baseball field drag you need. For leveling, a rigid drag will pull more material in the screen.