So, I’ve been meaning to redo our local baseball field for a while now. It’s a community thing, you know? The field was in a sorry state, all uneven, and just not looking its best. I figured, why not give it a shot and make it better? So I did some reading, asked around, and crushed brick seemed like the way to go.
Getting the Stuff
First off, I needed to find the right kind of crushed brick. Not all crushed brick is the same, you see. Turns out, there’s this stuff called Crimson Stone that a lot of folks recommend. It’s supposed to be good for baseball fields and all that. I also learned about this other thing, DuraEdge, which is some sort of special mix for the infield. Sounded fancy, but I thought, let’s try the crushed brick first.
So, I got myself some of this crushed brick material. I made sure it was the right size – about ⅛″, with some finer stuff mixed in. That’s important for making sure the field drains well but also packs down nicely. You don’t want a field that’s too loose, or you’ll be sliding all over the place.
Prepping the Field
Before I could put down the new material, I had to get the field ready. I started by taking some measurements. This field is a pretty standard size, about 90 feet on each side. Then, the real work began. I took a good look at the existing dirt mix. I read that a good mix should be about 70% sand, 15% clay, and 15% silt. For the pros, it’s a bit different – more clay, less sand. I did a rough check, and it seemed like we were too sandy, so adding clay was going to be important.
Putting It All Together
Once I figured out we needed more clay, I mixed in some of that with the crushed brick. I also added a bit of this organic binder I found. It’s supposed to help keep the moisture just right. I spread the mixture across the infield, making sure it was even.
After spreading, I watered the infield down. This helps everything settle and compact. I did this a few times, letting it dry a bit in between. It was a bit of a waiting game, but you gotta do it right.
The Final Touches
After the field settled, I took a rake and evened out any high spots. Then, I got a heavy roller – the kind you see on construction sites – and rolled over the whole area. This really helped pack everything down. It was a bit of work, but seeing the field start to look like a proper baseball field was pretty rewarding.
Finally, I let the field rest for a few days. I wanted to make sure everything was set before anyone played on it. It’s kinda like letting a cake cool before you frost it, you know? You gotta let it set.
The Result
The first time the kids played on the new field, it was awesome. The surface was firm but not too hard, and it drained like a champ after a bit of rain. Plus, it just looked so much better. Now, we have a field that the community can be proud of, and it didn’t cost an arm and a leg.
So yeah, that’s my story of using crushed brick for our baseball field. It was a bit of a project, but totally worth it. If you’re thinking about doing something similar, I say go for it. Just make sure you do your homework and get the right materials. And don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty – it’s all part of the fun!
- Get the right stuff: Crimson Stone or something similar.
- Check your mix: Make sure you have enough clay.
- Spread it evenly: No one likes a lumpy field.
- Water and compact: This is key for a good playing surface.
- Let it rest: Patience is a virtue, even in baseball.
And that’s that! Hope this helps anyone thinking about fixing up their local field. It’s a great way to bring people together and have some fun. Batter up!
