How Is Infield Mix Made, and Why Does It Matter?
Posted by on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 12:46 PM
How is baseball infield mix made? Why does it matter? What is Engineered Infield Mix?
There are three basic methods used to make infield mix:
HarvestedA harvested infield mix is simply made by digging the material out of the ground and using it as-is. The material can be a topsoil, or something below the topsoil layer, such as a loam or dirty sand. The material may be screened to remove stones, but not always. Harvested infield mix is often cheap, but it’s typically inconsistent. |
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ByproductIn the Midwest, it is common for infield mixes to be made from byproducts of the sand manufacturing process. When sand is washed, the water separates the small silt and clay particles from the sand. That “dirty” water is piped to a pond, where the particles settle out. When that pond is dredged, the silt and clay are dried and shipped as infield mix. As with harvested mixes, byproduct infield mixes are often cheap, but almost always inconsistent. Plus, the amount of silt and clay found in byproduct infield mixes are often way too high to make a good, playable infield. |
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EngineeredTo make engineered infield mixes, the manufacturer starts by knowing what percentages of sand, silt, and clay they want the finished mix to have. Then, they laboratory test raw material components to find a combination of raw materials that will produce the desired infield mix. Those materials are then precisely blended together and tested for consistency throughout the manufacturing process. |
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Why does it matter how infield mix is made?The sports turf industry has been evolving. That evolution has brought higher expectations of how baseball fields are supposed to look and perform. Users want their local park and rec fields to look and play like major league ballfields. Those higher performance standards have also pushed manufacturers of sports turf products to improve the quality of infield mixes. As an industry, we are moving closer to having set standards for what infield mixes should be made of. In the past, nobody knew what kind of “dirt” was being sold and installed on infields. Now, engineering infield mixes to adhere to proper specifications is becoming the norm. |
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Take A Bad Infield and Make It Better
Posted by on Friday, October 12, 2012 08:54 AM
Your infield is bad. It just doesn’t play the way it should. It’s too greasy when it’s wet, and it’s a dust cloud when it’s dry.
But you’re stuck with it, right?
Replacing the infield dirt is out of the question. You can’t afford the cost or the time to rebuild the field. And throwing down expensive drying agents is breaking your budget.
What else can you do?
Now, you can improve your infield mix with minimal cost and disruption by changing its sand, silt, and clay structure. Just call Waupaca Sand. We will:
- Visit your field to professionally take representative samples of your infield.
- Have your infield mix tested by an independent laboratory
- Then, we’ll use our proprietary analytical system to specify how to best amend your field.
Incorporate the specified sand, silt, and clay amendment with your existing mix, and regrade the field for an improved infield for less money.
Schedule a field visit today.
Football Field Construction: Building The Wolves’ New Den
Posted by on Thursday, September 20, 2012 01:51 PM
It was a perfect night for football as the Manawa Wolves played the first home game on their new field.
In March, Faulks Bros. Construction, Waupaca Sand & Solutions’ parent company, broke ground for the school’s new natural grass football field and track. Over the summer, it was amazing to see the site transform as our crews performed earthwork and installed the new growing media. By the time September rolled around, the field was ready for the team’s home opener.
The long list of donors who made the project possible were honored at a halftime ceremony. A loss to the powerhouse Amherst High School team was the only negative of the evening for the proud Manawa community. However, we’re certain the Wolves will celebrate many wins on their great-looking new field.
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The Hunt For Red September
Posted by on Monday, August 27, 2012 08:56 AM
A pale brown infield looks so…ordinary.
We’re seeing a trend. Ordinary baseball fields are becoming extraordinary by installing red infield mix. From major league baseball stadiums to little league ballfields, more field managers are using red products to showcase their best fields. 
Why is the color red becoming more popular? We think it’s because the contrasting colors simply look great. What’s more beautiful than a deep red infield and sharp white lines against lush green grass on a sunny summer day?
Fall is the best time to transform your baseball field from ordinary to extraordinary. If you prepare your field now, it will be ready when you need it in spring. Don’t wait and take a chance that the weather will allow you to work on your field before scheduled spring games begin.
Ask us how Sure-Hop Home Run Red Infield Mix, AAA Sure-Hop Red Infield Mix, Red Tread Warning Track Stone, and Red Diamond Infield Topdressing can make your field look and play better than ever before.
Baseball Stadium Rises Again in New Orleans
Posted by on Monday, June 18, 2012 09:32 AM
Another victim of Hurricane Katrina will soon have new life. Waupaca Sand & Solutions’ sister company, SportZmix, recently provided mound clay for the renovation of Wesley Barrow Stadium in the Pontchartrain Park area of New Orleans.
The stadium was devastated by Hurricane Katrina nearly seven years ago. Afterwards, the once-great field was never repaired. Tall weeds were growing through the stands. Debris was still scattered across the area. The stadium is now undergoing a $5.3 million renovation.
After the renovation, Wesley Barrow Stadium will host a Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy. The Urban Youth Academy will offer free year-round programs to promote baseball among minority children. The academy also emphasizes keeping youth in school and off the streets.
The revitalized stadium will feature SportZmix’s red clay in the pitching mound, batters boxes, and bullpen areas. SportZmix also consulted in the production of the growing media for the replanted turf areas.
We are proud to have played a small part in bringing baseball back to this community.
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