FIELD SETUP AND SHUTDOWN PROCEDURES 

Note from the KAU Board:

The best way to ensure your team meet its obligation in maintaining the fields is to have your team mom assign at least 2 parents per game to assist your team in performing the pre-game setup (Home team) or post-game maintenance (Visiting team).

-   ALWAYS THINK ABOUT SAFETY. CONTACT A BOARD MEMBER IMMEDIATELY ON ANY SAFETY ISSUES.

-   NEVER LINE THE FIELDS WITHOUT USING THE BATTERS BOX TEMPLATE AND ORANGE STRING GUIDES.

-   ALL EQUIPMENT TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE IS LOCATED IN EACH FIELD HOUSE.  PUT IT BACK NEATLY WHEN DONE

-   PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO DO IT RIGHT.

-   TEAMS WILL FORFEIT THE CURRENT GAME OR NEXT GAME IF ANY OF THEIR PLAYERS DEFACE OR DRAW GRAFFITI ON ANY FACILITY. THE TEAM WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE PLAYING IN THE LEAGUE UNTIL THE FACILITY IS FIXED OR CLEANED BY THE PLAYERS. THIS INCLUDES DRAWING WITH OR THROWING DIRT BALLS AT THE FACILITIES.

-   ANY TEAM FOUND NOT PERFORMING THESE PRE-GAME, POST GAME, AND BATTING CAGE TASKS OR TAKING ANY SHORT CUTS WILL FORFEIT THEIR GAME AND PRIVILEGE TO USE THE FACILITIES.

USE OF QUICK DRY:

When fields are wet, the use of quick dry (housed in the field houses and not to be confused with the lime or used on the liner machine) may be warranted.  Please be prudent in its use as it is expensive and if used improperly, results in a concrete like surface.

The DONT'S

1. Quick Dry is NOT to be used to dry up standing water.
    

2. Quick Dry is ONLY to be used on the infield dirt areas NOT GRASS areas.
    

3. DO NOT dump a bag in one area. One bag contains enough dry agent to dry up an entire skin infield.

 The DO's

1. Remove all standing water first with the shopvac.
    

2. Please empty the shopvac after use.

3. Quick dry is to be used sparingly. Do not dump a bag in one place. One bag contains enough dry agent to dry up an entire skin infield.
    

4. Spread the quick dry just like you would a salt shaker over the wet area.
    

5. You do not need to cover the entire area with quick dry
    

6. Rake it in.
    

7. Wait 15 mins (please take the 15mins for the dry agent to take effect) and rake the area again. (That means don’t rush the start of the game)
    

8. Should be no need to apply more.

Pre-Game Setup

Check the KAU Little League Web Site for field playing status by at 4:00 each weekday and 8:00 on Weekends.

If not already determined by the League, Home Team manager is responsible for deciding if weather and field conditions are conducive to playing.  If cancelled, notify the Visiting Team Manager and League Scheduler (Todd Duerr 610-558-2151)

HOME TEAM is responsible for setting up the field prior to game time.

Step #1 Line batters box first

-         Located in all field houses are aluminum batter box templates, metal field liners, and orange string guides

-         Before moving field liner ensure you have the release lever in off position locate on right front wheel.

-         To ensure lever does not engage accidentally it is best to roll the liner on its back wheels.

-         Before taking liner out to the fields ensure it is filled with field liner. (DO NOT mistake the QUICK DRY or MVP Field treatment bags for the liner)

-         Lay template down with flat side facing up, one of the handles against the plate, and very important the short side up towards the pitchers mound as shown in the figure #1.

-         Walk on top of the template making the outline of the box

-         Repeat on other side

-         Set liner for 4” width line

-         Line the batters box to the outline that was made by the template. Refer to figure #2

Figure #1 – Lining up batters box template

Figure #2 What it should look like after you are finished lining the batters box

Step #2 Insert bases

-         Popup Safety bases are located in the field house

-         Remove orange hole covers from the base fittings in the infield

-         Clear out any dirt or debris that will prevent the safety base from setting firmly on the infield.

-         Insert the bases

Step #3 Line foul lines

-         ONLY use the metal liners to line the infield

-         ONLY use the paint liners to line the outfield

-         ALWAYS USE THE ORANGE STRING GUIDES FOR LINING THE INFIELD AND OUTFIELD

-         The outfield lines do not need to be done every game. Painted lines on the grass should last a week, subject to grass cutting

-         Lining infield - Roll out the ORANGE STRING GUIDE by placing the nail behind the point of the plate, string outside of either first base or third base, and all the way to the beginning of the outfield. Refer to figure #3

-         Lining outfield - Roll out the ORANGE STRING GUIDE by  placing the nail behind the point of the plate, string outside of either first base or third base, and all the way to the outside of the foul line posts in left or right field. Refer to figure #3

-         Remove first and third base once you have the line strung out so they don’t get in your way.

-         Set liner for 4” width line

-         ALWAYS LINE THE INFIELD ON THE INSIDE OF THE STRING (FAIR TERRITORY OR ANOTHER WAY OF THINKING ABOUT IT IS THE SIDE OF THE STRING CLOSES TO PITCHERS MOUND)

-         Return first and third base after you completed lining the field

Figure #3

Step #4 Put up Flag (Flag pole located in upper field centerfield)

- Flag is located in the Snack Shack

Step #5 Hang Game helmets for both Home and Away Teams

-         T-Ball and Minor C teams use the helmets with the cages

-         Minor A, B, and Majors use the helmets without cages

-         T-Ball Game helmets are located in the upper field house

Step #6 Put all lining equipment back neatly

-         Place all equipment back neatly

-         Throw out any empty liner bags or paint cans

Step #7 Setup Pitching Machine (MINOR C ONLY)

-         Pitching machine located in each field house

-         The L-Screen Must be used in front of machine (Located on field)

-         NEVER EVER LET A PLAYER FEED THE MACHINE

-         NEVER EVER LET A CHILD STAND UP AT BAT WHILE TESTING THE MACHINE

-         NEVER EVER LET A CHILD CATCH WHILE TESTING THE MACHINE

-         Run power cord from field house to pitchers mound

-         Place power cord low through the fence and to the outlet located outside to the right of the field house door.

-         String the power cord to the third base side foul territory and over the third base line to the pitchers mound.

-         Face the tripod stand with JUG logo facing home plate and back leg place in the front and center of the rubber.

-         Place wheel on top of tripod stand and align the red indicator located on stand with the lock-in screw.

-         Align pitching machine by looking through the ball feeder to line up with home plate.

-         Set wheel alignment up with the lines marked on the first base side of the wheel.

-         Before turning the machine on place the L-screen in front of the pitching machine.

-         Turn the machine on

-         Set speed to around 32mph

-         Send at least 10 balls through the machine making minor adjustments to the tripod stand until the ball goes over the middle of the plate and lands 2’ to 3’ behind the plate.

Step #8 Turn on Scoreboard

-         Lower field Scoreboard

o       Turn on two switches inside field house located to your right when entering the building

o       Turn on switch located on right hand pole of score board

o       Connect the Controller that is stored in the lower field house equipment room. Plug in the controller cable and power.

o       Turn on the two switches on controller box in score house. One located on right hand side other is located on top left hand side.

-         Upper field

o       Turn on breaker marked scoreboard in the first breaker box located in snack shack

o       Turn on controller located in score house

 Post-Game Maintenance responsibilities

 HOME TEAM

1. Remove all trash and belongings within 5 minutes of game ending so next team can move in.
    

2. Teams will forfeit their next game if any of their players deface or draw graffiti on any facility. The team will not be able to continue playing in the league until the facility is fixed or cleaned by the players. This includes drawing with dirt balls or throwing them at the facilities.
    

3. Stays after the game until all players (from both teams) have left.
    

4. Stays at the field until the snack bar staff have left (upper field managers after late game)
    

5. Reports game score to www.kaulittleleague.org
    

VISITING TEAM

Responsible for dragging the cleaning up the field after the game.

NOTE THAT RAKES ARE ONLY TO BE USED TO FILL IN LARGE HOLES

Step #1 Clean out dugout.  Remove all trash and belongings within 5 minutes of game ending so next team can move in

Step #2 Put away bases and pitching machine (minor C only) if last game of the day

Step #3 Fill divots in batters box and pitchers mound (Use metal rakes only)

Step #4 Fill any divots in field made by fielders or sliding by base runners (Use metal rakes only but DO NOT rake into grass area)

Step #5 Drag entire field with drag mats (Do not use rakes).

-         3’ Drag mat to be used for home plate, base lines and pitchers mound

-         6’ Drag mat to be used for infield

-         When using the drag mats start from the outer perimeter and work your way into the center. This will prevent lips from forming at the edge of the grass and moves the dirt that has been forced outwards from play into the middle of the field.

-         When you are completed dragging the field please do not pull the mat onto the grass area and deposit the extra dirt. Please use a rake to spread that excess dirt evenly.

-         Home plate drag in a circle from the outer perimeter into home plate

-         Pitchers mound drag in a circle from the outer perimeter into the rubber

-         Baseline drag up and down in the direction of the runner

-         Infield drag from the outer perimeter into the middle of the infield.

Step #6 Empty all trash cans

-         Dumpsters are located at the lower field, upper field, and Jr/Sr League field

-         Clean up all trash in the stands and on the fields

-         Where ever you see trash please pick it up and dispose of if

Step #7 Put away helmets (If last game of the day)

-         Please hang helmet bags on hooks located on the walls of the field houses

Step #8 Take down Flag (If last game of the day)

-         Please fold the American Flag in the appropriate manner and store in the Snack Shack.

Step #9 Store the Pitching Machine (If last game of the day, MINOR C ONLY)

-         Turn off pitching machine

-         Rollup power cord and hang in field house

-         Take wheel off tripod stand and place on pallets within field house. Please make sure machine is not placed on the floor.

-         Place tripod stand in field house

-         Place the L-screen off the field

Step #10 Turn off Scoreboards

-         Lower field Scoreboard

o       Turn off the two switches on controller box in score house. One located on right hand side other is located on top left hand side.

o       Disconnect the controller power cord and cable.

o       Store controller in lower field house equipment room OFF THE FLOOR.

o       Turn off switch located on right hand pole of score board

o       Turn off two switches inside field house located to your right when entering the building

-         Upper field

o       Turn off controller located in score house

o       Turn off breaker marked scoreboard in the first breaker box located in snack shack

Step #11 Turn out the lights (If last game of the day)

-         Visiting team on the upper field has the responsibility to ensure all players and parents have left the lower field before shutting down the lights.

-         To turn off the lights just switch the two keys on the outside of the second breaker box located in the snack shack that are marked upper and lower field.

Batting Cage Maintenance

Step #1 Pre-batting cage inspection

-         Before using ensure no open spaces exists that would allow the ball to leave the enclosure

-         If any holes can’t be adequately fix please cease the use of the facilities and notify a board member

-         Must use the L-screen

Step #2 – Usage of batting cage

-         One Player in the batting cage at a time

-         An adult must be pitching

-         Keep the entrance door closed at all times when batting

-         Must use the L-screen

Step #3 Post-batting cage maintenance

-         Fill divots around batter boxes and pitching area

Contact Information

If you have any questions about the above procedures please contact the Fields/Facilities Director