How to Remove Grass from a Dirt Infield- Complete Solution

What are the best ways in how to remove grass from a dirt infield? A dirt surface is easier to maintain than a grass surface and holds up better under extensive uses. The Infield is a sports term whose definition depends on the sport in whose context it is used. The quality of the infield dirt is based on the infield mix (sand, silt, clay).

All three components are necessary to attain a safe and playable field that is easy to maintain. A well-maintained field requires watering, scarifying and dragging leveling, lip removal, conditioning.

Knowing the composition of your infield mix will help determine a baseline from which maintenance practices can be developed. Remove the top ½ inch of infield mix.

How To Remove Grass From A Dirt Infield- Easy Ways

There are several ways of removing grass from a dirt infield

1. Drags

Drag is used to smooth the skinned areas of the infield. Various models of drags are available. It should be emphasized that the drag should not overlap the turf. The drag should always be picked up and carried away and never dragged across the grass area.

2. Grass Edges

While maintaining the infield, the drags should be kept at least 6 inches away from the grass so that the loose dirt does not get into the grass thus forming a lip or ridge in the grass edge.

A regular rake should be used along the grass edge. Should dirt get into the grass edge, a stiff skinned are, removing any grass clippings that may be swept onto the skinned area in the process and also mentioning how to remove grass from a dirt infield process.

3. Lip Removal

Anytime a lip begins to develop where the grass and dirt area meet, use a water hose to wash the dirt out of the grass and back onto the skinned area.

The infield dirt is the most complex and maintenance-intensive component of athletic field surfaces. It consists of various combinations. Seventy percent of baseball and softball takes place on the infield.

4. Infield Renovation

The Infield is a term unique to the sports of baseball and softball. In baseball, the infield refers to the diamond, typically a combination of turfgrass and dirt.

In softball, the infield is typically all dirt. However, a baseball infield could be all dirt and while less common, a softball infield could be a combination of turfgrass and dirt.

It helps keep the dirt from drying out and prevent players from picking up wet clay on their spikes. Start by using a broom to sweep away any conditioner or loose dirt on the surface.

Use a watering can to lightly moisten the clay surface you have exposed. Scuff up the damaged area with a shovel, hoe or rake. When hand raking, always rake up and down the base path, not across it, to avoid creating lips.

If possible clear the infield material from the grass edges with a fan rake or stiff-bristled broom after every practice and game. With limited time and labor, at least once a week use a high-pressure blast of water from a hose to flush the infield mix from the grass edges.

Allow sufficient time afterward to infield dirt to try down before field use. The following is a suggested method to properly maintain the skinned areas of the infield:

• Rake excess dirt from underneath each base area to make it level
• Remove any debris, including grass clippings, rocks, weeds, etc.
• Water the skinned area to allow the infield to be nail dragged. If the skinned area is already moist, this step can be skipped.
• Nail drag the infield
• Add soil conditioner and spread with a rake
• Screen or drag the infield
• Water infield as needed to ensure desired moisture levels.

To drag the infield skinned area, make a spiraling circle with the drag mat from the infield grass line to the outfield grass, starting at the third base foul line.

Edging the field should be done on a bi-weekly basis during the growing season. This will greatly reduce built-up edges. Always use a string line when edging the turf.

In some cases, clay bricks are used to establish a firm throwing area. These bricks are a very acceptable material because they have not been hardened by heat like bricks used in construction.

Selecting the type of turf needed is partially determined by geographic location. Fields located in the northern U.S. use cool-season turfs such as Bluegrass, fescues, and ryegrasses.

In the southern U.S. Bermuda-type turf and Zoyzias grasses are commonly used. Using a cyclone, walk-behind fertilizer spreader is preferred by most sport turf managers. Determine if the grass is dry before applying fertilizer.

5. Tarpaulins

Tarpaulins are also known as tarps, are used for several purposes including protecting the field from rain, retaining moisture in the mound, and home plate areas when the field is not used and to protect the turf during practice.

So, we can understand that how to remove grass from a dirt infield is very useful for us.

6. Maintenance Equipment

• Edge cutter
• Line marker
• Drags (assorted)
• Watering equipment
• Wheelbarrow
• Scissor
• Calcined clay-granulated
• Diamond dust-ground calcined clay for drying wet balls
• Fertilizers
• Herbicides and Pesticides

Now many tricks are used in how to remove grass from a dirt infield. Reel mowers are more specialized and are used on higher maintenance fields.

The number of times per week the field is mowed will vary depending on the budget, weather, and fertility program.

In addition to the maintenance of the infield and outfield turf, irrigation is also necessary to properly maintain the infield skin, pitcher mound, and home plate area.

Due to the large size of the softball infield, irrigation systems are installed to irrigate the infields clay.