Compact Tractor Boom Pole
No matter how well maintained a baseball field is, a long hard winter can reek havoc on it. Here are some quick tips for quickly getting the ball park ready for baseball.
Refinishing the Infield is normally the first order of business. In order to detect any shallow areas in the infield which would hold puddles of water instead of draining, Use the tractor drag with the finish comb attached and drive in circles around the infield in order to smooth out the surface, using the box scrapper to move dirt if necessary.
Once you're satisfied with the overall appearance of the infield, use hand finishing screens to smooth the entire infield to a professional look. You may need to use the weighted roller to flatten any spots which are high.
Foul Lines And Fences:
An established and easy to see foul line is absolutely important, but quite easy to create. Securing one end of a roll of string at the back corner of home plate, unwind the string until reaching the foul pole, than secure it taunt.
Using a can of cheap white spray paint, spray a path @ 4' wide the entire length of the string. Perform the identical task on the other foul line. Using proper precautions for eye and breathing protection, use an inexpensive insect sprayer to spray a 4" swath of grass and weed killer (the stronger the better, but environmentally safe) along the entire length of the white spray painted foul lines.
After the vegetation spray has killed the grass the entire length of the foul line, apply a healthy amount of lime powder which will provide an established foul line the entire baseball season with minimum maintenance.
Inspect the chain link fencing for any broken ties or sagging fence. Re-secure any places with pieces of tie wire or electrical tie straps if wire is not available at the time.
The tops of a chain link fence can pose a safety problem for players who may reach over it in an attempt to catch a ball. To protect against injury a protective covering should be installed, which is easy to do by splitting corrugated plastic drain pipe and placing it over the fence top rail, and can be secured by attaching electrical tie straps.
Fences can become a financial asset by selling advertising space. Arrange a financially acceptable agreement with a professional sign making company, you don't want a crude home-made sign, nor would the advertisers, then sell the signs and space to local businesses for the season.
To fill in a vacant spot install a dimension marker indicating how far the fence is from home plate.
Back Stop and Fan Protection:
Most backstops are fabricated from chain link fence, which could pose a safety hazard for the players. Should there be a safety concern raised it can easily be resolved by installing padding around, at least directly behind the home plate area. I've seen some places where they attached wood boards to the fence, which solve ant safety concern, but ruined any passed ball action, because the ball would bounce right back to the catcher. Home field advantage in spades.
Depending on the location of the bleachers or fans sitting area, netting may be advisable to install to protect people from screaming foul balls. In addition, depending on the field location, a screen can save a lot of baseballs which otherwise would have been lost.
Finishing Touches You have nearly completed the entire revamping of the baseball field. The only remaining items or perhaps the painting of the foul poles and insuring the lights are in proper working order.
How do you paint a 50' foul pole? Should the foul pole be hinged, drop the top part, paint and reattach at the hinge. It's doubtful the foul pole would be removable, as most likely it's set in concrete. Paint as high as possible, then ask the local fire department to assist by utilizing their extension ladder secured to the fire truck. You'd be surprised how helpful these public services can be, but paint as high as possible before they arrive, because if there's an alarm, you're out of luck and getting them back could pose a problem. The shortest time to paint the remaining pole, the better chance of getting it accomplished.
Should you experience a lighting problem, such as burned out lights, local electrical contractors will usually replace them labor free as long as you buy the bulbs from them.
If you already have the bulbs, which are not cheap, contact your local utility company, they often have employees who volunteer for such repairs and the company will provide the boom truck.
Jim Bain - Former Minor league baseball player, who since retiring has dedicated his life to teaching baseball to youth. Visit his exciting info packed website: http://www.Learn-Youth-Baseball-Coaching.com
How to Series: Tractor Boom Pole
