As the baseball and softball seasons wind down, it’s time to start planning to put your field bed for the winter. October and November are typically drier and warmer than January and February, so getting your field ready early will make things much easier when the season starts up again.

Edge Transitions and Till

Edge the transition areas between your field’s soil and turf with line string and an edger. Once you have a straight, clean edge, you should be able to place your foot evenly between the two areas. If the soil is not level with the turf, see if you can move your existing mix around to even things out. If not, you will need to add infield material. Tilling the area will allow for easy movement of existing material or the addition of new material.

Laser Grade and Roll

Once the field is edged and tilled, laser grading ensures a proper slope for water runoff. Next, roll the field to maintain the grade and prevent any loose material from migrating.

Apply Topdressing, Soil Surfactants, and Herbicides

After rolling, topdress with a conditioner like ATS 1000 at a depth of ⅛ to ¼ inch to help absorb and release moisture. A good rule of thumb is to apply one ton of conditioner per 10,000 square feet, though more may be needed depending on the size of the particles and your desired depth.

To combat extreme conditions—both wet and dry—an infiltration and hydration surfactant like In-Flow will help your infield retain and move the right amount of water.

Applying a pre-emergent herbicide will help you keep your field safe from weeds throughout winter and into the spring. Crew is a granular pre-emergent that can be used on warning track areas and infield soil. Combining the power of Dimension 2EW (dithiopyr) and Gallery SC (isoxaben), Crew controls over 120 broadleaf and grassy weeds. Both of Crew’s active ingredients are labeled for cool- and warm-season turf, too.

Add Landscape Edging

Adding landscape edging where your turf and infield meet will help keep edges clean, reduce lip buildup, and keep your soil and conditioner in place. Plastic landscape edging is perfect for this task. Choose edging that is around four inches tall and secure it with six-inch sod staples for the best results. Be sure to remove it in the spring before practice starts up again.

Turf-Specific Tips

  • Your field’s turf areas should be aerated in the fall. Aerating at a depth of eight to 10 inches will provide deep soil relief and can break up the hardpan.
  • Raising your mowing height to three to 3.5 inches will assist with photosynthesis—especially important since shorter days mean less time for turf to grow and store nutrients for the winter.
  • Fall fertilization will support root growth, help turf store energy, and promote an earlier green-up in the spring.
  • Overseed thin areas to ensure your canopy is dense and even when the season starts.

Plate and Mound Renovations

Check all of your field’s bases and backstops for damage and wear. Do the same for your pitcher’s mound and home plate, and order replacements if necessary. Use a slope gauge to determine if you need to add more clay to your mound and/or batter’s box. If you need to add clay or perform a full rebuild, a product like Advanced Professional Mound Clay is effective and budget-friendly. After renovations are complete, cover the pitcher’s mound and home plate areas to protect them from the elements.

For additional tips and product recommendations, reach out to your ATS rep. They’ll work with you to ensure your field is ready for next season. If you’re new to ATS and want to connect with a rep, find one here in seconds.