Sports Fields Resource Center

Infields
Infield Dirt Basics
What’s the difference between “dirt” and a good infield mix? What ratio of sand, silt, and clay ingredients should I look for in a baseball mix? How do moisture and drainage affect a softball field? Learn more about the geology of infield mix by reading Baseball Dirt – A Precision Geotechnical Product by Andrew Alden.

Fixing “Bad” Infields
You know your infield mix is inferior, but don’t know how to fix it. Learn about the system Waupaca Sand has developed for cost-effective modifications to your infield mix’s sand, silt, and clay structure. Take A Bad Infield And Make It Better

Ballfield Lips
Occasionally, the area where grass and dirt meet on infield can become raised, forming a “lip” on the field. How does lip buildup occur? How can you fix the lips that have formed on your baseball field? How do you prevent them from coming back? Waupaca Sand & Solutions’ sportsfield blog offers some helpful tips.

Infield Maintenance Checklist
Need the down-n-dirty basics on how to maintain your baseball or softball infield? What do you need to to before the season starts and after the season ends? How to prepare your dirt before each game? What steps should you take after the final out to prevent problems later?  Download our infield mix maintenance guides.

Slippery, Muddy Infields
Why are some infields muddy and slippery when wet, and hard and dusty when dry?  It may be because the infield mix contains too much silt. Learn more about silt and how to correct a bad infield:

Warning Tracks
How do I maintain my warning track?
Remove weeds and debris when necessary. Nail drag or mat drag when it needs to be releveled (be careful to not drag material onto the turf and create a lip). Roll the warning track when loose material needs to be compacted. Edge the border occasionally to keep a sharp-looking boundary between turf and warning track.

How do I install a new warning track?
Excavate the area needed for the warning track, then compact the subgrade. Install subsurface drainage and landscape fabric if desired. Install, level, compact, and grade the warning track aggregate. Be sure to maintain elevation where the warning track meets the turf so players don’t trip. Use a slope between 1% and 1.75% to allow for some surface drainage toward the fence.

What kind of materials should I use to build a warning track?
Most commonly, stone is used, but a warning track can be made of any material that feels much different than the turf so the athlete can sense the change without looking down. Find a material that will provide a firm surface. Stone that is angular and contains a wide range of particle sizes will pack together best. Red Tread Granite and TrailBlaze are popular choices. Avoid using rounded stones because they will create an unstable surface (like walking on marbles). Also, look for an aggregate that will drain quickly to keep puddles off of the warning track.

Rootzones
What Rootzone Material is Best? Sand or Soil?
Should you choose a sand-based or a native soil-based rootzone when building or renovating your athletic field? That decision largely depends on the amount of maintenance you are capable of providing. Learn the major differences in managing sand-based and soil-based fields. Managing Soil vs Sand Sports Fields

Field Dimensions
Baseball field: High School, College, Professional

Baseball pitcher’s mound & batter’s box: High School, College, Professional

Baseball field: Little League

Baseball pitcher’s mound & batter’s box: Little League

Football field: High School

Football field: College

Lacrosse field: All Levels

Soccer field: All Levels

Softball field: Fast Pitch

Softball pitcher’s circle & batter’s box: Fast Pitch

Softball field: Slow Pitch

Softball pitcher’s circle & batter’s box: Slow Pitch

Volleyball court: All Levels
Sand Volleyball Courts
What kind of sand do I need for my volleyball court?  Should I be looking for a beach sand?  Can I just use the cheapest sand I can find?  Click here to learn what kinds of sand are safe for players and offer the optimum playability.

1 Synthetic Turf Infill Sand 26044