ASTM F2107-08(2015)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Construction and Maintenance of Skinned Areas on Baseball and Softball Fields
Standard Guide for Construction and Maintenance of Skinned Areas on Baseball and Softball Fields
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The skinned areas of baseball and softball fields should provide a uniform playing surface of high quality. Ball bounce should be true and predictable. Footing and sliding properties should favor optimum performance of players. Undulations, rough surface, hard or soft surfaces, weeds, stones, and wet spots detract from good play. Playing surface quality is largely affected by construction and maintenance procedures, and this standard guide addresses those procedures. While warning tracks are a type of skinned area found on baseball and softball fields, this standard does not apply to warning tracks. A separate standard, Guide F2270, presents information pertaining to warning tracks.
4.1.1 During construction, consideration should be given to factors such as the physical and chemical properties of materials used in the area, freedom from stones and other debris, and surface and internal drainage.
4.1.2 Maintenance practices that influence the playability of the surface include edging, dragging, rolling, watering, vegetation control, brushing or hosing to prevent buildup of a lip of mineral matter in turfgrass at the skinned/turfed edges, and removal of stones and debris that may adversely affect play and safety.
4.2 Those responsible for the design, construction, or maintenance, or a combination thereof, of skinned areas on baseball and softball fields will benefit from this guide.
4.3 This guide provides flexibility in choices of procedures and can be used to cover a variety of use and budget levels.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers techniques that are appropriate for the construction and maintenance of skinned areas on baseball and softball fields. This guide provides guidance for the selection of materials, such as soil, sand, gravel, crushed stone, crushed brick, calcined clay, calcined diatomaceous earth, vitrified clay, etc., for use in constructing or reconditioning skinned areas and for the selection of management practices that will maintain a safe and playable skinned surface. Although this guide is specific to baseball/softball, it has application to other sports where ball bounce, ball roll, or player footing, or a combination thereof, are of importance.
1.2 Decisions in selecting construction and maintenance techniques are influenced by existing soil types, climatic factors, level of play, intensity of use, equipment available, budget, and training and ability of management personnel.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.
1.5 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. The ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.
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Designation: F2107 − 08 (Reapproved 2015) An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
Construction and Maintenance of Skinned Areas on
Baseball and Softball Fields
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2107; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
document means only that the document has been approved
1.1 This guide covers techniques that are appropriate for the
through the ASTM consensus process.
construction and maintenance of skinned areas on baseball and
softball fields. This guide provides guidance for the selection
2. Referenced Documents
of materials, such as soil, sand, gravel, crushed stone, crushed
2.1 ASTM Standards:
brick,calcinedclay,calcineddiatomaceousearth,vitrifiedclay,
C33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates
etc.,foruseinconstructingorreconditioningskinnedareasand
C242 Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related
for the selection of management practices that will maintain a
Products
safe and playable skinned surface. Although this guide is
D422 Test Method for Particle-SizeAnalysis of Soils (With-
specific to baseball/softball, it has application to other sports
drawn 2016)
whereballbounce,ballroll,orplayerfooting,oracombination
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
thereof, are of importance.
Fluids
1.2 Decisions in selecting construction and maintenance
D5883 Guide for Use of Rotary Kiln Produced Expanded
techniques are influenced by existing soil types, climatic
Shale, Clay or Slate (ESCS) as a Mineral Amendment in
factors, level of play, intensity of use, equipment available,
Topsoil Used for Landscaping and Related Purposes
budget, and training and ability of management personnel.
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the Sieves
standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
F405 Specification for Corrugated Polyethylene (PE) Pipe
and Fittings (Withdrawn 2015)
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials,
F1632 Test Method for Particle Size Analysis and Sand
operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
Shape Grading of Golf Course Putting Green and Sports
address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
Field Rootzone Mixes
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
F2270 Guide for Construction and Maintenance of Warning
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
Track Areas on Athletic Fields
mine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.
1.5 This guide offers an organized collection of information
3. Terminology
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
3.1 Definitions—Except as noted, soil related definitions are
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
in accordance with Terminology D653.
experience and should be used in conjunction with professional
3.1.1 calcined clay—granular, lightweight material pro-
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
duced by calcining clay minerals, such as montmorillonite and
circumstances. TheASTM standard is not intended to represent
attapulgite, at temperatures of about 700°C or higher. Those
or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a
used as soil amendments should be hard, resistant to physical
given professional service must be judged, nor should this
breakdown, and screened to appropriate sizes. Calcined clay is
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
1 2
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Subcommittee F08.64 on Natural Playing Surfaces. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2015. Published February 2016. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as F2107 – 08. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/F2107-08R15. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2107 − 08 (2015)
a manufactured product that lacks the particle size and plas- as a soil particle size class, soil material that contains 70 % or
ticity properties that would allow it to be included in the more sand, and not more than 15 % clay (sandy soils). (4)asa
definition of clay. (1) soil textural group, soil material that falls within the textural
classes of “sand” and “loamy sand” (sandy soils). (3,4)
3.1.2 calcined diatomite—stable, lightweight granules pro-
3.1.6.1 Discussion—Although no mineralogy term is asso-
duced by calcining diatomite (diatomaceous earth), a hydrated
ciated with the definition of sand, common usage often utilizes
silica mineral derived from the remains of diatoms. (1)
the terms “quartz” or “silica” as synonyms for sand. While
3.1.3 clay—clay can be defined in terms of a particular size
quartz is the most common silicate mineral in soils and in the
fraction of a soil, a soil textural class, a soil particle size class,
sand fractions in particular, quartz being a mineral highly
a soil textural group, soil mineralogy, or, in engineering terms,
resistant to weathering, the synonymy with the term sand is
as materials that exhibit plastic soil properties when at appro-
incorrect. A proper mineralogy class for quartz is “siliceous,”
priate water contents.
defined as 90 % or more of the 0.2 to 2.0 mm fraction
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Ideally, the term “clay” should be ap-
composed of silica minerals (quartz, chalcedony, or opal) and
propriately defined when used to describe soils for skinned
other extremely durable minerals that are resistant to weather-
infield mixes. For example, a 60 % sand/40 % clay mixture
ing. (4)
could imply either 60 % sand/40 % clayey soil (or other soils
3.1.7 gravel—commonly used to denote spherical, cube-
with textures containing enough clay (<0.002 mm) to exhibit
like, or equiaxial aggregate materials with an equivalent
plasticity) or 60 % sand (2 to 0.05 mm)/40 % clay (<0.002
diameter >2.0 mm and <7.6 mm. More correctly used, this
mm).
classificationrefersto“rockfragments”classifiedaspebblesin
3.1.3.1 clay—(1) as a particular size fraction of a soil, a soil
the Glossary of Soil Science Terms (1997). (3,6)
separate consisting of particles <0.002 mm (fine earth fraction)
3.1.8 skinned area—area on sports fields that, by design, is
in equivalent diameter. (2) as a textural class, soil material that
devoid of turfgrasses or other vegetation; may be entire field or
contains 40 % or more clay, <45 % sand and <40 % silt. (3)as
a portion of the field (for example, skinned infield in baseball
a soil particle size class, soil material that contains 35 % or
or softball; skinned base paths in otherwise turfed infield).
more clay, (clayey soils). (4) as a soil textural group, soil
Pitching mounds and catcher’s and batter’s boxes are also
material that falls within the textural classes of “sandy clay,”
considered skinned areas. Warning tracks (Guide F2270) can
“silty clay” and “clay” (clayey soils). (5) in terms of
be considered skinned areas as well.
mineralogy, soil particulates that are commonly occurring but
not restricted to the <0.002 mm fraction (clay minerals). 3.1.9 soil—sediments or other unconsolidated accumula-
Commonly occurring in soil mineralogy classes as smectitic, tions of solid particles produced by the physical and chemical
kaolinitic, illitic (micaceous), gibbsitic, ferritic, or mixed. Soil disintegration of rocks, and which may or may not contain
mineralogy classes are defined predominantly by the type of organic matter.
soil mineral dominating (40 % or more) the fine earth fraction.
3.1.10 soil profile—vertical section of a soil, showing the
(6) in engineering terms, soils containing enough soil material
nature and sequence of the various layers, as developed by
in the less than 0.4 mm fractions such that when moist they
deposition or weathering or both or as developed by construc-
exhibit consistence characteristics of “moderately plastic” or
tion procedures.
“very plastic” forming a roll 4 cm or longer and 4 mm or
3.1.11 soil texture (gradation) (grain-size distribution) —the
thinner that supports its own weight. (2-7)
proportions by mass of a soil or fragmented rock distributed in
3.1.4 vitrified clay—clay that has been manufactured
specified particle size ranges.
through vitrification, which is the progressive reduction and
3.1.11.1 soil textural class—texture designation based on
elimination of porosity of a ceramic composition, with the
relative proportions of the various soil separates: sand (2.0 to
formationofaglassphase,asaresultofaheattreatment. C242
0.05 mm in diameter), silt (0.05 to 0.002 mm), and clay
3.1.5 expanded shale, clay, or slate (ESCS)—a rotary kiln
(<0.002 mm). (2-7)
producedvesicularamorphoussilicateparticulatematerial.Itis
NOTE1—Particlesizerangesforsand,silt,andclayaslistedabovevary
a highly porous, low density material with an apparent specific
somewhat from ranges given in Test Method D422 and Terminology
gravityofapproximately0.8to2.4,andadry/looseunitweight
D653.
3 3
of approximately 35 to 70 lb/ft (561 to 1121 kg/m ). D5883
4. Significance and Use
3.1.6 sand—sand can be defined in terms of a particular size
fraction of soil, a soil textural class, a soil particle size class,
4.1 The skinned areas of baseball and softball fields should
and a soil textural group.
provide a uniform playing surface of high quality. Ball bounce
3.1.6.1 sand—(1) as a particular size fraction of soil, a soil should be true and predictable. Footing and sliding properties
separate consisting of particles >0.05 mm and <2.0 mm in should favor optimum performance of players. Undulations,
equivalent diameter. (2) as a textural class, soil material that
rough surface, hard or soft surfaces, weeds, stones, and wet
contains 85 % or more sand, and not more than 10 % clay. (3) spots detract from good play. Playing surface quality is largely
affected by construction and maintenance procedures, and this
standard guide addresses those procedures. While warning
tracks are a type of skinned area found on baseball and softball
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
this standard. fields, this standard does not apply to warning tracks. A
F2107 − 08 (2015)
separate standard, Guide F2270, presents information pertain- (2) Modification of an existing soil should be done during
ing to warning tracks. construction of the facility. In some recreational baseball/
4.1.1 During construction, consideration should be given to
softball situations, consideration of skinned areas occurs only
factors such as the physical and chemical properties of mate-
after a turfgrass stand is worn down to the soil surface. Layout
rials used in the area, freedom from stones and other debris,
and modification of skinned areas can take place at that time
and surface and internal drainage.
and will require taking the field out of play unless the work is
4.1.2 Maintenance practices that influence the playability of
done after the playing season.
the surface include edging, dragging, rolling, watering, vegeta-
5.1.2.2 Artificial (Man-made) Skinned Areas:
tion control, brushing or hosing to prevent buildup of a lip of
(1) Artificial (man-made) profiles are sometimes con-
mineral matter in turfgrass at the skinned/turfed edges, and
structed to create the skinned area. In situations where profiles
removalofstonesanddebristhatmayadverselyaffectplayand
contain more than 85 % sand and exhibit high internal perme-
safety.
ability under heavy compaction, the skinned infield mix can be
4.2 Those responsible for the design, construction, or
placed on a drainage blanket of gravel, which provides
maintenance, or a combination thereof, of skinned areas on
subsurface drainage. In situations where profiles contain less
baseball and softball fields will benefit from this guide.
than 85 % sand and exhibit limited internal permeability under
heavy compaction, a drainage blanket of gravel is not required,
4.3 This guide provides flexibility in choices of procedures
as subsurface drainage will be minimal. Skinned infield mixes
and can be used to cover a variety of use and budget levels.
of this nature may be placed directly on top of the subsoil.
5. Construction Additional information regarding the construction of skinned
infield areas with subsurface drainage systems is found in the
5.1 Skinned Infield and Basepath Areas:
appendix.
5.1.1 Skinned Infield Mix—Materials used to provide the
(2) Skinned Infield Mix—Askinned infield mix can be used
skinned surface should be relatively inert mineral matter,
to bring the surface to final grade.Add approximately 10 to 15
which will resist chemical and physical degradation. This soil
cm (4 to 6 in.) of skinned infield mix and finish to final grade.
or mixture is sometimes referred to as “dirt,” for example,
Skinned infield mix materials should meet the following
infield dirt. It is used in constructing skinned infields and
particle size specifications. Quartz sands are recommended; if
basepath areas.
sand contains more than 5 % calcium carbonate equivalent, the
5.1.2 Particle Size Distribution—Particlesizeanalyses(Test
sand has the potential for particle cementation due to dissolu-
Method D422 or F1632) are based on oven-dried mass of a
tion and precipitation.
weighed sample; shaker is the preferred method of dispersion
if the skinned infield mix contains internally porous amend- Sieve Designation (E-11) Skinned Infield Mix
Standard Alternate % passing
ments. Such analyses are satisfactory when the skinned infield
2.00 mm No. 10 85-100
mix consists of sand and soil materials; however, analysis
1.00 mm No. 18 62-90
basedonmasscangivemisleadingresultsiftheskinnedinfield 500 µm No. 35 48-84
250 µm No. 60 38-71
mix contains internally porous amendments.
150 µm No. 100 27-60
5.1.2.1 Native Soil Skinned Areas:
53 µm No. 270 19-40
(1) Depending on the soil texture, some existing or native
(a) Management of the surface will be affected by the
soils containing greater than 70 % sand (2.0 to 0.05 mm) may
amount of material <53 µm (<0.05 mm, silt and clay). As this
b
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F2107 − 08 F2107 − 08 (Reapproved 2015) An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
Construction and Maintenance of Skinned Areas on
Baseball and Softball Fields
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2107; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide covers techniques that are appropriate for the construction and maintenance of skinned areas on baseball and
softball fields. This guide provides guidance for the selection of materials, such as soil, sand, gravel, crushed stone, crushed brick,
calcined clay, calcined diatomaceous earth, vitrified clay, etc., for use in constructing or reconditioning skinned areas and for the
selection of management practices that will maintain a safe and playable skinned surface. Although this guide is specific to
baseball/softball, it has application to other sports where ball bounce, ball roll, or player footing, or a combination thereof, are of
importance.
1.2 Decisions in selecting construction and maintenance techniques are influenced by existing soil types, climatic factors, level
of play, intensity of use, equipment available, budget, and training and ability of management personnel.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to address all
of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate
safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.
1.5 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course
of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment.
Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. The ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace
the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied
without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the
document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates
C242 Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
D422 Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils (Withdrawn 2016)
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D5883 Guide for Use of Rotary Kiln Produced Expanded Shale, Clay or Slate (ESCS) as a Mineral Amendment in Topsoil Used
for Landscaping and Related Purposes
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
F405 Specification for Corrugated Polyethylene (PE) Pipe and Fittings (Withdrawn 2015)
F1632 Test Method for Particle Size Analysis and Sand Shape Grading of Golf Course Putting Green and Sports Field Rootzone
Mixes
F2270 Guide for Construction and Maintenance of Warning Track Areas on Athletic Fields
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Except as noted, soil related definitions are in accordance with Terminology D653.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F08.64 on Natural Playing Surfaces.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2008Dec. 1, 2015. Published November 2008February 2016. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 20072008
as F2107 – 07.F2107 – 08. DOI: 10.1520/F2107-08.10.1520/F2107-08R15.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2107 − 08 (2015)
3.1.1 calcined clay—granular, lightweight material produced by calcining clay minerals, such as montmorillonite and
attapulgite, at temperatures of about 700°C or higher. Those used as soil amendments should be hard, resistant to physical
breakdown, and screened to appropriate sizes. Calcined clay is a manufactured product that lacks the particle size and plasticity
properties that would allow it to be included in the definition of clay. (1)
3.1.2 calcined diatomite—stable, lightweight granules produced by calcining diatomite (diatomaceous earth), a hydrated silica
mineral derived from the remains of diatoms. (1)
3.1.3 clay—clay can be defined in terms of a particular size fraction of a soil, a soil textural class, a soil particle size class, a
soil textural group, soil mineralogy, or, in engineering terms, as materials that exhibit plastic soil properties when at appropriate
water contents.
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this standard.
3.1.3.1 Discussion—
Ideally, the term “clay” should be appropriately defined when used to describe soils for skinned infield mixes. For example, a 60 %
sand/40 % clay mixture could imply either 60 % sand/40 % clayey soil (or other soils with textures containing enough clay (<0.002
mm) to exhibit plasticity) or 60 % sand (2 to 0.05 mm)/40 % clay (<0.002 mm).
3.1.3.1 clay—(1) as a particular size fraction of a soil, a soil separate consisting of particles <0.002 mm (fine earth fraction) in
equivalent diameter. (2) as a textural class, soil material that contains 40 % or more clay, <45 % sand and <40 % silt. (3) as a soil
particle size class, soil material that contains 35 % or more clay, (clayey soils). (4) as a soil textural group, soil material that falls
within the textural classes of “sandy clay,” “silty clay” and “clay” (clayey soils). (5) in terms of mineralogy, soil particulates that
are commonly occurring but not restricted to the <0.002 mm fraction (clay minerals). Commonly occurring in soil mineralogy
classes as smectitic, kaolinitic, illitic (micaceous), gibbsitic, ferritic, or mixed. Soil mineralogy classes are defined predominantly
by the type of soil mineral dominating (40 % or more) the fine earth fraction. (6) in engineering terms, soils containing enough
soil material in the less than 0.4 mm fractions such that when moist they exhibit consistence characteristics of “moderately plastic”
or “very plastic” forming a roll 4 cm or longer and 4 mm or thinner that supports its own weight. (2-7)
3.1.4 vitrified clay—clay that has been manufactured through vitrification, which is the progressive reduction and elimination
of porosity of a ceramic composition, with the formation of a glass phase, as a result of a heat treatment. C242
3.1.5 expanded shale, clay, or slate (ESCS)—a rotary kiln produced vesicular amorphous silicate particulate material. It is a
highly porous, low density material with an apparent specific gravity of approximately 0.8 to 2.4, and a dry/loose unit weight of
3 3
approximately 35 to 70 lb/ft (561 to 1121 kg/m ). D5883
3.1.6 sand—sand can be defined in terms of a particular size fraction of soil, a soil textural class, a soil particle size class, and
a soil textural group.
3.1.6.1 sand—(1) as a particular size fraction of soil, a soil separate consisting of particles >0.05 mm and <2.0 mm in equivalent
diameter. (2) as a textural class, soil material that contains 85 % or more sand, and not more than 10 % clay. (3) as a soil particle
size class, soil material that contains 70 % or more sand, and not more than 15 % clay (sandy soils). (4) as a soil textural group,
soil material that falls within the textural classes of “sand” and “loamy sand” (sandy soils). (3,4)
3.1.6.1 Discussion—
Although no mineralogy term is associated with the definition of sand, common usage often utilizes the terms “quartz” or “silica”
as synonyms for sand. While quartz is the most common silicate mineral in soils and in the sand fractions in particular, quartz being
a mineral highly resistant to weathering, the synonymy with the term sand is incorrect. A proper mineralogy class for quartz is
“siliceous,” defined as 90 % or more of the 0.2 to 2.0 mm fraction composed of silica minerals (quartz, chalcedony, or opal) and
other extremely durable minerals that are resistant to weathering. (4)
3.1.7 gravel—commonly used to denote spherical, cube-like, or equiaxial aggregate materials with an equivalent diameter >2.0
mm and <7.6 mm. More correctly used, this classification refers to “rock fragments” classified as pebbles in the Glossary of Soil
Science Terms (1997). (3,6)
3.1.8 skinned area—area on sports fields that, by design, is devoid of turfgrasses or other vegetation; may be entire field or a
portion of the field (for example, skinned infield in baseball or softball; skinned base paths in otherwise turfed infield). Pitching
mounds and catcher’s and batter’s boxes are also considered skinned areas. Warning tracks (Guide F2270) can be considered
skinned areas as well.
3.1.9 soil—sediments or other unconsolidated accumulations of solid particles produced by the physical and chemical
disintegration of rocks, and which may or may not contain organic matter.
F2107 − 08 (2015)
3.1.10 soil profile—vertical section of a soil, showing the nature and sequence of the various layers, as developed by deposition
or weathering or both or as developed by construction procedures.
3.1.11 soil texture (gradation) (grain-size distribution) —the proportions by mass of a soil or fragmented rock distributed in
specified particle size ranges.
3.1.11.1 soil textural class—texture designation based on relative proportions of the various soil separates: sand (2.0 to 0.05 mm
in diameter), silt (0.05 to 0.002 mm), and clay (<0.002 mm). (2-7)
NOTE 1—Particle size ranges for sand, silt, and clay as listed above vary somewhat from ranges given in Test Method D422 and Terminology D653.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The skinned areas of baseball and softball fields should provide a uniform playing surface of high quality. Ball bounce
should be true and predictable. Footing and sliding properties should favor optimum performance of players. Undulations, rough
surface, hard or soft surfaces, weeds, stones, and wet spots detract from good play. Playing surface quality is largely affected by
construction and maintenance procedures, and this standard guide addresses those procedures. While warning tracks are a type of
skinned area found on baseball and softball fields, this standard does not apply to warning tracks. A separate standard, Guide
F2270, presents information pertaining to warning tracks.
4.1.1 During construction, consideration should be given to factors such as the physical and chemical properties of materials
used in the area, freedom from stones and other debris, and surface and internal drainage.
4.1.2 Maintenance practices that influence the playability of the surface include edging, dragging, rolling, watering, vegetation
control, brushing or hosing to prevent buildup of a lip of mineral matter in turfgrass at the skinned/turfed edges, and removal of
stones and debris that may adversely affect play and safety.
4.2 Those responsible for the design, construction, or maintenance, or a combination thereof, of skinned areas on baseball and
softball fields will benefit from this guide.
4.3 This guide provides flexibility in choices of procedures and can be used to cover a variety of use and budget levels.
5. Construction
5.1 Skinned Infield and Basepath Areas:
5.1.1 Skinned Infield Mix—Materials used to provide the skinned surface should be relatively inert mineral matter, which will
resist chemical and physical degradation. This soil or mixture is sometimes referred to as “dirt,” for example, infield dirt. It is used
in constructing skinned infields and basepath areas.
5.1.2 Particle Size Distribution—Particle size analyses (Test Method D422 or F1632) are based on oven-dried mass of a
weighed sample; shaker is the preferred method of dispersion if the skinned infield mix contains internally porous amendments.
Such analyses are satisfactory when the skinned infield mix consists of sand and soil materials; however, analysis based on mass
can give misleading results if the skinned infield mix contains internally porous amendments.
5.1.2.1 Native Soil Skinned Areas:
(1) Depending on the soil texture, some existing or native soils containing greater than 70 % sand (2.0 to 0.05 mm) may be
satisfactory in skinned areas; however, some soils will need to be modified to improve drainage and ease of soil grooming.
Additions of coarse amendments (sand, calcined mineral (clay or diatomite), expanded shale, clay or slate, vitrified clay or
combinations in appropriate amounts (dependent on textural class of soil being modified)) should increase permeability, and
improve the overall aesthetics of the surface after grooming. Added sand or calcined materials should have a minimum of 85 %
of the particles passing a 4.0 mm (No. 5) sieve and retained on a 106 μm (No. 140) sieve. Quartz sands are recommended; if sand
contains more than 5 % calcium carbonate equivalent, the sand has the potential for particle cementation due to dissolution and
precipitation. If additions will increase the grade to an unacceptable elevation, remove appropriate amounts of soil prior to the
addition of coarse amendments. The final mixture should have approximately 90 to 100 % of the particles passing a 4.0 mm (No.
5) sieve and 15 to 30 % passing a 106 μm (No. 140) sieve. In final raking and grading, remove all debris and stone greater than
1 cm in diameter from the surface 1.5 cm. The settled depth of the modified soil should be about 10 cm.
(2) Modification of an existing soil should be done during construction of the facility. In some recreational baseball/softball
situations, consideration of skinned areas occurs only after a turfgrass stand is worn down to the soil surface. Layout and
modification of skinned areas can take
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