Starting in late Fall 2021 the field use agreement with Palm Harbor was changed to:
· Allow PHLL to determine when fields are playable due to the weather.
· Allow PHLL to help maintain/prep fields for games and practices.
CSA will be completing normal grass cutting/maintenance and field “spike” dragging 3 days per week (M/W/F) when the field can be accessed with machinery on those days. PHLL is not allowed to use a mechanical pulling device to drag fields. Hand dragging is only allowed.
All practice and game prep for fields will be completed by PHLL volunteers. The team manager(s) are responsible to ensure the fields are properly prepared for practice and games when they use the fields.
· Field prep items that fit in the dugout boxes will be kept at each field. (chalk/chalker/string/spikes/hand drag etc.)
· All other larger equipment (batter box templates, rakes, shovels) will be kept in batting cage closest to the playing field.
All equipment must be put back in its appropriate storage place once the equipment is no longer needed. Cages and field boxes need to be relocked when finished using field equipment. Managers are reminded that some equipment may be shared with other fields.
If chalk or other supplies are low/needed, the team manager should send an email to [email protected] to ensure teams have the proper supplies to prep the field for the next event. Additional chalk will be stored in the blue storage building.
Field Maintenance Basics:
1. Dugouts and field area should free of litter after every event. Please pick up all trash and dispose in the waste containers at the field. Please check both dugouts of the field you use even if you did not use it. “Leave it cleaner than then what it was before you used it.”
2. Remove all hazardous debris or and material from the infield and outfield playing surface (large rocks, sticks, etc.)
3. Hand rake or hand drag the dirt areas of the infield that may need it.
4. Chalk the Batter Boxes (games only)
a. Use the batter’s box pvc template to make your batter’s box.
b. There is a handle that should be lined up with the parallel sides and the front corner of home plate. This will set the distance from home plate to the beginning of the side of the batter’s box.
c. Once template is in place walk on it so it will create an imprint in the dirt.
d. Lift the stencil and repeat process for other side of home plate. Once imprints are made apply chalk on the imprints with the chalk machine(chalker).
5. Make the foul lines from the batter box to the outfield grass. Note: The league will maintain the foul lines on all grass surfaces.
a. Drive a stake into the dirt behind the point at home plate (where the catcher squats)
b. Attach a string to the stake and run the string to the backside of first base (the side facing the dugout).
c. Once you have your string in place you will apply chalk with the chalker. The chalk should be applied to the inside (toward pitcher mound) of the string line. The string will be the outer edge of your chalk line.
d. Repeat the process for the third base foul line
6. The base coach boxes (Required for AAA divisions and higher) are a three sided box that is open on the side facing the dugout.
7. Softball Pitching Circle:
a. Place a stake on the front center of the pitching rubber. Attach a string to the stake.
b. Attach another stake to the other end at 8 feet. Keeping the string taunt, drag this spike around the pitching rubber to inscribe a circle of eight feet wide around the rubber. You should now have a circle imprinted in the dirt.
c. Use the chalker and place a line on the circle imprint.
Specific diagrams for the field markings can be found on the links provided on this page.