Beacon BallieldDimensionsGuide-2024-WEB - Flipbook - Page 16
FIELD DIMENSIONS
Finish & Surface Grade |
P O S I T I V E D R A I N A G E PAT T E R N S
No other portion of a ballfield construction or renovation project has more impact on the success of your facility than the finish grade
and the resulting surface drainage pattern. Water percolates very slowly through native soil fields and on infield skin areas. Positive surface
drainage is the fastest way to drain these areas. Only a sand-based field can meet or exceed the speed of water moving off a field by surface
drainage. When properly designed and graded, positive surface drainage can speed availability of fields after a rain and make field prep a breeze.
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Find the right contractor
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Grading & drainage patterns
Always employ an experienced and qualified sports field contractor
CO N I CA L D E S I G N. This is the “Cadillac” of surface grading/drainage
who will use the correct equipment to get your expected results.
for infields. With this design, water moves off the infield in the shortest travel
Make sure they:
distance possible. The conical design is performed using a cone laser set up on
◾ have a portfolio of installations/renovations from the last 2-3 years
of natural baseball-softball surfaces, and a list of references.
the mound and projecting a cone shape over the field to guide the grading.
◾ work with conical and/or single/dual slope laser-guided grading
equipment to achieve the appropriate grade.
◾ ensure proper and full incorporation of any material added.
◾ add or remove material as needed in order to meet specified grade.
◾ achieve finish grade tolerances of + or – ¼" or better, and allow
confirmation before moving to next step.
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Finish grade recommendations
Grading new construction ballfields are usually easier because you are starting
with a clean slate over the entire field. When renovating an existing field, the
challenge greatly increases. You will likely have to merge with existing grades at
some point. Never grade a ballfield so that it is perfectly flat. All fields — even
the best draining sand-based fields — should have some slope to move water
across the surface, especially after heavy rains. The following recommendations
are applicable for both fully skinned or grassed infields. Recommended slope
will depend on whether a field is native soil or sand based, the level of play,
and the drainage pattern chosen.
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C O N I C A L S L O P E R E C O M M E N DAT I O N S
0.5% Sand-based fields — professional level and high-end college ballfields
0.5% - 1.0% Native soil fields — college, high school and recreational ballfields
