MAALL: Ginty Field Maintenance Manual™

MAALL: MORRISTOWN AREA AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE PO BOX 2201, Morristown, NJ 07960 MAALL.net

Issued: March 2017

GINTY MAINTAINENCE M ANUAL

Table of Contents

Field Maintenance

Objective…………………...... 1

Individual Sections...... …...... 2

Section 1 –Gameday / Practice Checklist.………………………………….…...... 2

Section 2 – Detailed Information…………………………….….……………..……3

Section 2.1 – Equipment List………….....………..…...... 3

Section 2.2 – “How to”…..………………………..…..…………………………4

Section 2.2.a – Prepare the , Pitcher’s Mound and Plate Area

Section 2.2.b – Chalk the Batter’s / ’s Boxes and Base / Foul Lines

Section 2.2.c – Install / Remove Bases (1st, 2nd, & 3rd Bases)

Section 2.2.d – Install the Pitching Mound Rubber (AA Division ONLY)

Section 2.2.e – Recovering from Rain

Section 2.2.f – Tarping the Mound (Ginty field 1 only)

Section 2.2.g – Ginty 3 setup (46/60 and 50/70 field dimensions)

Section 2.3 – Additional Resources….....……………………………………11

Section 2.4 – Storage Locations. / Map...……………………………………12

Section 2.5 – Keys / Locations………...... ….………………………………..13

Section 3 – Contact info……..…...……..………………….....…...... 14

GINTY BASEBALL FIELD M AINTAINENCE MANUAL

Ginty Baseball Field Maintenance Manual

OBJECTIVE

he objective of this manual is to provide a general T reference guide for the preparation and maintenance of the Ginty baseball fields. This manual includes information that should be used only as a resource in the preparation of the playing fields and does not represent the only means and methods of field preparation. The information in this manual is located on the MAALL website and is accessible to all league administrators, coaches, and assistant coaches to ensure that our baseball fields are properly prepared for both games and practices.

If you find unsafe conditions or something is not working properly, please either correct it or contact the Manager, Field Maintenance (see section 3 of this manual – Contacts) by text / email.

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MORRISTOWN AREA AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE MAALL PO BOX 2201 Morristown, NJ 07960 MAALL GINTY BASEBALL FIELD M AINTAINENCE MANUAL

Individual Sections Section 1 – Gameday / Practice Checklist

Below is a checklist of activities that need to be completed before and after all baseball games & practices. For games, the home team takes the first base and is responsible for pre-game field preparation and post-game clean up.

GAME / PRACTICE CHECKLIST: # PRACTICE / GAME PRE / POST EQUIP. / ITEM ACTIVITY EQUIP. LOACTION Base lines & Batter’s / Chalk the base lines and batter’s / catcher’s box. If foul lines are 1. Game Pre Shed Catcher’s Boxes not painted, contact Manager, Field Maintenance (see below) 2. Game Pre Game balls Obtain game balls Snack Stand 3. Game Pre ’s payment Obtain payment Snack Stand *Maintenance Room: 4. Both Pre Bases Install Ginty 1 only Shed: Ginty 2 & 3 5. Both Pre Infield / Walk the field / remove any large debris (rocks, branches, etc.) NA Use the rake(s) before and after use. Fill in areas with low spots 6. Both Pre Infield Maintenance Room (home plate, pitcher’s mound, slide marks at 2nd base, etc.) 7. Both Pre Infield Hose with water, if a hose is available Shed 8. Both Post Bases Remove and store on the base caddy in the appropriate area *See Above 9. Both Post All areas Clean all garbage from the bench and field areas All Pitcher’s mound tarp Place tarp over pitching mound to cover (no stakes / extra 10. Both Post Ginty field 1 (Ginty 1 only) weights required) Ron Newport (Manager, Field Maintenance): 201-874-4780 / [email protected]

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MORRISTOWN AREA AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE MAALL PO BOX 2201 Morristown, NJ 07960 MAALL GINTY BASEBALL FIELD M AINTAINENCE MANUAL

DETAILED INFORMATION Section 2 – Detailed Information Section 2.1 – Equipment List

The following is a list of equipment needed to prepare the field for practice and / or games. When finished using a piece of equipment, please place it back in the location specified. If you find a piece of equipment of place, please return it to the location specified above.

# EQUIPMENT STORAGE LOCATION Maintenance Room: Ginty 1 only 1. Bases Shed: Ginty 2 & 3 Chalk box Shed and Maintenance Room (multiple 2. (batter’s / catcher’s box, base lines) sets) Maintenance Room: Ginty 1 only 3. Drying agent / material Shed: Ginty 2 & 3 Squeegee & infield rake(s) including flat 4. Maintenance Room bladed for removing standing water Maintenance Room: Ginty field 1 only 5. Drying pillows (for drying standing water) Shed: Ginty fields 2 & 3 6. Pitching mound rubber (AA division only) Coach’s Locker 7. String reel (to chalk base / foul lines) Maintenance Room 8. Pitching mound tarp (for Ginty field 1 only) NA* Movable pitching mound (for Ginty field 3 9. Ginty field 3 only) 10. Water hose(s) Shed

* NOTE: Pitching mound tarp is not stored, only moved off the mound when not in use. Do not move the tarp onto the grass as a prolonged stay on the grass will kill the grass.

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MORRISTOWN AREA AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE MAALL PO BOX 2201 Morristown, NJ 07960 MAALL GINTY BASEBALL FIELD M AINTAINENCE MANUAL

Section 2.2 – “How to…”

Prepare the Infield, Pitcher’s Mound, and Plate area

1. Equipment needed: Rake / If holes are too deep to be filled in by raking alone, a broom, additional clay, and a tamper may be required. Contact Manager, Field Maintenance (see section 3 of this manual – Contacts) and watch the video below before attempting to fill in deep holes.

2. Process:

a. Walk the field to check for low spots / holes

b. Rake the infield to fill in any low spots or noticeable holes. Make sure to rake approximately 2ft away from any grass area

c. If a hole on the mound or plate area is too deep to fill in by raking alone and requires additional clay, follow the steps below:

i. With a broom, sweep away any loose material down to the hard, packed material underneath

ii. Dampen the area with a little water

iii. Place a thin layer of new clay material and tamp. Repeat process until the desired height is attained. Use a broom to cover the area with clay or top dressing material, then dampen.

3. Additional resource(s): Groundskeeping (Pt 1) - Fixing holes in mound/plate areas

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MORRISTOWN AREA AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE MAALL PO BOX 2201 Morristown, NJ 07960 MAALL GINTY BASEBALL FIELD M AINTAINENCE MANUAL

Chalk the Batter’s / Catcher’s Boxes and Base Lines 1. Equipment needed: string reel, peg / nail to hold string in the ground, chalking machine, chalk, batter’s / catcher’s boxes template

2. Process:

a. Anchor a strong piece of string or light rope from the apex of home plate (back point of home plate) to the outfield grass with the string touching the outside edge of the base (1st / 3rd base)

b. Lay the batter’s box template in the proper position beside home plate

c. Using your finger or some other object, trace the template completely so the template outline can still be seen when the template is removed

d. Remove the template and chalk the outline of the batter’s box and catcher’s box using the chalk machine

e. Chalk the base line, following the string from the front corner of the batter’s box to 1st / 3rd base. Note that the chalk line goes to inside of the string. Do not get any chalk in the grass, as it will kill the grass.

f. 1st / 3rd base foul lines on the grass are typically painted, not chalked, by the town’s parks and recreation department. If the lines are not painted, contact Manager, Field Maintenance (see section 3 of this manual – Contacts).

3. Additional resource(s): Groundskeeping (Pt. 3) - Lining the field (although shown in the video, chalking the outside of the running lane should not be completed)

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MORRISTOWN AREA AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE MAALL PO BOX 2201 Morristown, NJ 07960 MAALL GINTY BASEBALL FIELD M AINTAINENCE MANUAL

Install / Remove Bases (1st, 2nd, & 3rd Bases)

1. Equipment needed: Base caddy, bases, base digging tool, base plugs

2. Process:

a. Remove plugs from the base pocket holes located in the appropriate area of the infield

b. Clean out any dirt remaining inside the base hole(s) using the base digging tool

c. Insert the stem of the base(s) into the appropriate base pocket hole(s)

d. Replace the plugs after each game. Plugs should be stored on the

base cart during the game and replaced at end of game

3. Additional resource(s): Little League Game Day Field Preparation - Base Installation (video time 1:40 – 1:57)

Install the Pitching Mound Rubber (AA Division only)

1. Equipment needed: portable pitching rubber

2. Process:

a. If a pitcher is unable to consistently reach home plate, the portable pitching rubber should be used to reduce the distance to home plate

b. The location of the portable rubber should be between the permanent pitching rubber and 35ft from home plate. The final distance should ultimately depend upon the safety of the pitcher, as well as the pitcher’s

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MORRISTOWN AREA AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE MAALL PO BOX 2201 Morristown, NJ 07960 MAALL GINTY BASEBALL FIELD M AINTAINENCE MANUAL

ability to reach home plate consistently. The portable pitching rubber can be adjusted as needed

c. To place the portable pitching rubber, drop it on the ground and step down on it until it is flat and level with the ground

Recovering from Rain

1. Equipment needed: Squeegee, flat-bladed rake, drying pillow(s), drying agent / material

2. Process:

a. Contact Manager, Field Maintenance (see section 3 of this manual – Contacts) before attempting to remove any standing water and dry the field

b. If attempting to dry the field, remove as much of the standing water as possible by squeegeeing or raking it away. Try not to disturb too much of the clay underneath the puddle

c. After squeegeeing or raking away as much standing water as possible, use a drying pillow to absorb any remaining water. Wring the wet pillow out on the outfield grass as needed. Continue to use the drying pillow until either the pillow will not soak up any more water or all the water is completely absorbed. Use additional pillow(s) as necessary

d. After the standing water has been removed, sprinkle the drying agent onto the area where the puddle was until the entire area has been appropriately covered and the water has been removed

3. Additional resource(s): Groundskeeping (Pt. 5) - Recovering from rain

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MORRISTOWN AREA AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE MAALL PO BOX 2201 Morristown, NJ 07960 MAALL GINTY BASEBALL FIELD M AINTAINENCE MANUAL

Tarping the Mound (Ginty field 1 only)

1. Equipment needed: Weighted tarp

2. Process:

a. After each game, cover the pitching mound with the tarp (weights are included in the tarp, so no additional weight or staking is needed)

b. When not in use, make sure not to not place the tarp on the grass

Ginty field 3 setup (46/60 & 50/70 field dimensions)

1. Equipment needed: Base plugs, base caddy, bases, base digging tool, long tape measure, string reel, portable pitching mound (not to be confused with the portable pitching rubber for AA division)

2. Process:

a. Bases

i. Locate the base plugs in the infield for the desired field dimensions. There are rubber plugs for both the 60ft and 70ft base set ups:

1. 1st & 3rd Base - both bases have a white, spray-painted line on the fence to indicate where the 60ft and 70ft base peg is located

2. 2nd Base – Visually search the area of the infield where the base peg should be located. If unable to locate the peg, use the long tape measure and measure from the

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MORRISTOWN AREA AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE MAALL PO BOX 2201 Morristown, NJ 07960 MAALL GINTY BASEBALL FIELD M AINTAINENCE MANUAL

apex of home plate (back point of home plate) to where the base should be located:

a. 46/60 peg is 84ft 10 ¼ inches from the apex of home plate (back point of home plate)

b. 50/70 peg is 99ft from the apex of home plate (back point of home plate)

ii. Once located, remove the base plug(s) from the base pocket holes that match the desired field dimensions

iii. Clean out any dirt remaining inside the base hole(s) using the base digging tool

iv. Insert the stem of the base(s) into the appropriate base pocket hole(s)

v. For the base/distance not being used, leave the peg inserted in the ground anchor during the game. Cover it with a layer of dirt

vi. Plugs should be stored on the base cart during the game and replaced at end of game. Replace the plugs after each game

b. Pitching Mound

i. Set the bases up prior to setting/squaring the movable mound. Typically, 3 or 4 adults are needed to reset the mound

ii. Use the large tape measure and base string for distance and square set-up:

1. Distance: The mound can be moved to accommodate either the 46ft or 50ft pitching distances. Pitching

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MORRISTOWN AREA AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE MAALL PO BOX 2201 Morristown, NJ 07960 MAALL GINTY BASEBALL FIELD M AINTAINENCE MANUAL

rubbers have been put into the ground underneath the moveable mound to be used as guides. To set the mound to the desired distance, line up the back of the mound with the front of the appropriate pitching rubber

a. 46ft pitching set up – using the apex of home plate (back point of home plate), measure 46ft to the front of the mound rubber. Use the base string from the apex of the plate to the middle of 2nd base to square the mound

b. 50ft pitching set up - using the apex of home plate (back point of home plate), measure 50ft to the front of the mound rubber. Use the base string from the apex of the plate to the middle of 2nd base to square the mound

2. Square - Use the base string from the apex of home plate (back point of home plate) to the middle of 2nd base to square the mound

3. Additional resource(s): see diagrams below

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MORRISTOWN AREA AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE MAALL PO BOX 2201 Morristown, NJ 07960 MAALL GINTY BASEBALL FIELD M AINTAINENCE MANUAL

Section 2.3 – Additional Resources

The links below will take you to additional groundsekeeping videos and are for informational purposes only. Before attempting any of the groundskeeping work shown in these videos, please contact the Field Maintenance Manager (see section 3 of this manual - Contacts).

Provided by Little League on YouTube.com:

1. Groundskeeping (Pt. 2) - Removing the "lip"

2. Groundskeeping (Pt. 4) - Maintaining the "skin" area

3. Groundskeeping (Pt. 6) - Mowing

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MORRISTOWN AREA AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE MAALL PO BOX 2201 Morristown, NJ 07960 MAALL GINTY BASEBALL FIELD M AINTAINENCE MANUAL

Section 2.4 – Storage Locations / Map

G1

G2

G3

LOCATIONS SHOWN:

G1/2/3 Baseball fields: Ginty 1, Ginty 2, Ginty 3 Snack Shack Storage Shed Coaches Closet Maintenance Room Cages

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MORRISTOWN AREA AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE MAALL PO BOX 2201 Morristown, NJ 07960 MAALL GINTY BASEBALL FIELD M AINTAINENCE MANUAL

Section 2.5 – Keys / Location

Storage Shed and Coaches Closet keys will be given to coaches prior to the season. All keys will be kept in the locations listed below. For more information regarding keys including accessibility, availability, etc., contact Manager, Field Maintenance (see section 3 of this manual – Contacts).

KEY LOCATION Storage Shed Given to new coaches prior to the Season Coaches Closet Given to new coaches prior to the Season Announcer’s Booth Coaches Closet Maintenance Room Coaches Closet Snack Shack Coaches Closet Bathroom Snack stand (left of door on hook)

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MORRISTOWN AREA AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE MAALL PO BOX 2201 Morristown, NJ 07960 MAALL GINTY BASEBALL FIELD M AINTAINENCE MANUAL

Section 3 – Contacts

NAME TITLE PHONE EMAIL

Manager, Field Ron Newport 201-874-4780 [email protected] Maintenance

Dave Bush President 973-886-3996 [email protected]

Ed Sullivan VP Operations 201-650-0044 [email protected]

Billy Andrinopous Manager, Snack Stand 973-722-0287 [email protected]

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MORRISTOWN AREA AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE MAALL PO BOX 2201 Morristown, NJ 07960 MAALL