The Etiquette of Place
Much of the field preparation work is organized and performed by coaches and assistant coaches. Post-game clean-up is the purview of volunteers. Step-up to the plate and help-out where you can. Your children will take note and often jump in to help. It takes a village.
PRE-GAME FIELD PREPARATION
Dampen Infield, Mound, & Home-Plate Area
Do so if it is the first game of day or in high heat. Modestly dampen the infield dirt and home-plate area using a hose. The moisture will help keep dust down and improve chalk adhesion.
Rake/Drag Infield
Use hand-rakes to rake infield dirt away from grass edges. Hank-rake immediately around bases. Using the large infield brush and/or honeycomb drag, rake the infield in overlapping runs. Avoid coming in contact with the infield grass (maintain 12-inch distance from grass).
Rake Mound & Home-Plate Area
Using hand-rakes, rake mound and home-plate area. Rake from outside towards the middle of each. For mound, fill any holes at rubber and landing area by moistening holes first, then filling with infield mix and tamping.
Chalk-Line Base Paths
Attach the baseline string to a stake at the apex (back-point of the pentagon) of home plate. Run the string past the outside edge of first base all the way to the foul pole in right field. Keep the string tight. Chalk the line inside the baseline string (the fair side). Repeat for third base line.
Chalk-Line Batter’s Box
Use batter’s box templates to scribe-out batter’s box lines (template leaves impression in the dirt) and line the box. Do not stand on batter’s box templates!
POST-GAME FIELD CONDITIONING & CLEANUP
Rake infield, mound and home-plate area (same process as field-prep above).
Clean and tidy dugouts.
Empty trash cans into parking-lot trash bin.
Mound & Home-plate Area Maintenance
A helpful video