NBR Field Maintenance and Scoreboard Procedures for All Managers and Coaches
General
1. Attend annual Field Maintenance demonstration offered by Parks and Rec in the Spring
2. Train parents/coaches about field maintenance
3. Notify Fields Director and/or Division Director of any unsafe playing conditions, field issues etc.
Both teams are responsible for field maintenance after games and practices
Fields
After every weekday game/practice and if you are the last person to use the field on weekends please:
- At all fields except Newtown Middle School and Fairfield Hills remove bases and for fields that have the T-Type anchors remove them as well and return to equipment box. If the bases are left in too long it becomes really hard to remove the bases from the anchors. Remember to put the anchor plugs back in.
- Groom the field by raking the infield, home plate, the pitchers mound and the base paths:
- Rake (or sweep using a broom) dirt from infield grass back onto infield dirt area especially in base baths to minimize build-up of “lips”, preferably by using a regular garden rake. Garden rakes are not provided at the fields, please bring your own.
- Rake base paths in the direction of base paths to minimize build-up of “lips”.
At Glander and Walnut Tree Hill
- When using the dragger, drag the infields in a circular method. This promotes a level field and minimizes build-up of infield “lips”. Dragging in a non-circular method will
accentuate dips and low spots but is better than not dragging fields. Keep drags away from grass edges (it tears grass and moves dirt onto grass).
- If you have access to water (sometimes there will be liter bottles of water in the equipment boxes), use it to harden up the dirt on the pitchers mound and around home plate. Replace the water bottles if you can.
- Grooming Pitcher’s Mound – rake dirt up towards pitcher’s plate (rubber) to help maintain mound height/shape. Form level area in front of pitcher’s plate. Use tamper (if available) as required to compact toe-hole and landing area.
4. If the forecast is for rain please put the tarp on for any fields that have one (Glander for example) onto the pitchers mound and home plate. Use the rakes to anchor them down.
5. Make sure the equipment boxes are locked.
6. Pickup trash from fields, dugouts and under/around bleachers and in the parking lot. It is the responsibility of the managers/directors to keep the fields free of garbage.
At Liberty, Hawley, Walnut Tree Hill and Watertown:
§ Garbage bags will be provided in each equipment box. The town DOES NOT pickup garbage at any of these fields. Please bring the garbage home when it is near full.
At Glander
§ There are 2 garbage pails at each field, one on each side of the dugout. When they are full please roll them over to behind Glander 1. This is not the responsibility of the NBR Board or Parks and Rec. It is the responsibility of all managers and coaches who use the field.
7. Glander batting cages:
8. Lining of fields for games:
§ Liberty lining machine with string and nail are stored in the equipment box. Lime should not be stored in the same box as the batting helmets and catchers gear.
§ Make sure the machine is in the closed position and then add lime. If there is leftover lime in the machine then first use the bases tool to loosen it up. Lime comes out better when it is loose and has air in it. Only add about 6-7 inches worth. At Glander please make sure the setting is set to 2” not 4”.
§ Using the coiled string and nail and extend the string out from home plate to the outfield. You should probably do this before the bases are in.
§ Lime is stored at Glander for Liberty and Glander, at Walnut Tree for Walnut Tree. If you run out of lime at your field please go to the appropriate shed to replace it. If there is no lime there or it is low please contact your division director to make them aware of it. Lime can also be purchased at the Newtown Hardware store.
§ For weekend games please do not line for every game just the first one.
9. Painting of bases, home plate and the pitchers mound:
§ Field marking paint is expensive, $6 a can, please limit use. Please use this sparingly and do not allow children to paint. They like to do it but they waste it!
§ Read the instructions on the can for use.
§ Put the cover back on unused cans and store them in the equipment box.
§ Paint can be purchased at Newtown Hardware as well. Make sure you purchase the field marking paint with the ‘triangle’ shaped nozzle.
§ For weekend games please do not paint for every game just the first one.
Wet Fields
- Do not ever remove the dirt in the infield and put onto the grass to dry. Because of the chemical composition of the dirt, this will kill the grass. Don’t remove dirt from the field itself, i.e. do not dump wet mounds of dirt outside of the fence. This results in a net loss of infield surface and the town has to replace the dirt.
- Do not sweep water from the dirt infield onto the grass infield or outfield. This too will kill the grass.
- Do not put Turface into standing water. Standing water should be removed first….
- Remove as much standing water as possible before using any Turface. You may use a pitchfork to poke holes in the bottom of the puddle first, this will help it drain. If you need more than a bag or so of Turface to get a single field in playing condition, chances are the field is too wet and you should consider postponing your game. Please consult with Field Director, Managers, Umpires or a Board Member prior to attempting any heroic measures.
- There are manual water removal pumps in the equipment boxes at Liberty and Sandy Hook and in the equipment shed (next to the batting cages) at Glander.
- Pump the water into a bucket and then empty the bucket ONTO DIRT AREAS ONLY! Do not empty it on to the grass, this will kill the grass. Return the pumps back to the equipment boxes/shed.
It is highly recommended that you delegate field responsibilities to parents! You and your coaches need to spend time with your team before and after games!
Scoreboards
Scoreboards should be used for all games. It is something the players and fans appreciate. On weekends the managers/coaches of the 1st game should set up the scoreboards and the managers/coaches of the last game should put them away and lock up as necessary. Procedures for using the scoreboards are as follows:
§ Liberty
o The portable scoreboard and tripod is stored in the green equipment box
o It is best to use the scoreboard on the 1st base side.
o Set up the tripod and carefully place the scoreboard on top of the tripod, making sure the tripod legs are secure and steady.
o Turn on the scoreboard by pressing the green button on the top
o Use the remote control to operate the scoreboard.
o After the game please put the scoreboard, tripod and remote back into the green equipment box.
o Lock the equipment box.
§ Glander 1
o Open the press box: Enter the code and when the lock blinks green pull back on the door and turn the lock to the right. The door will open.
o Open up all 3 wooden flaps and secure them to the hanging chains above. Be careful when doing this as the flaps are rather heavy. On hot days you should probably open the flap that faces out toward the flag pole as well.
o On the wall on the left when you are facing the field is a cabinet. The controllers for the scoreboards are stored in black cases in the unopened bottom cabinet.
o The Glander 2 controller is clearly marked on the controller itself. Open up the black case to make sure you have the correct controller. The other case contains the controller for Glander 1.
o Plug in the controller, the outlet is underneath the ‘window’.
o On the right of the exit door up above are the scoreboard switches. Turn on the scoreboard by setting the switch for scoreboard 1 in the ‘up’ position.
o At the end of the game:
§ Unplug the controller and put it back in the case.
§ Return the case to the cabinet.
§ Close the wooden ‘flaps’
§ Turn off the scoreboard by setting the scoreboard 1 on/off switch in the ‘down ‘position.
§ Lock the press box (see below).
§ Glander 2
o Open the press box: Enter the code and when the lock blinks green pull back on the door and turn the lock to the right. The door will open.
o On the wall on the left when you are facing the field is a cabinet. The controllers for the scoreboards are stored in black cases in the unopened bottom cabinet.
o The Glander 2 controller is clearly marked on the controller itself. Open up the black case to make sure you have the correct controller. The other case contains the controller for Glander 1.
o On the right of the exit up above are the scoreboard switches. Turn on the scoreboard by setting the switch for scoreboard 2 in the ‘up’ position.
o On the back of the scoreboard there is also an on/off switch. Make sure that that switch too is in the ‘up’ position.
o Carry the case and the electrical extension cord to the 3rd base dugout on Glander 2. Plug in the cord into the outlet outside the 3rd base dugout.
o At the end of the game:
§ Unplug the extension cord and roll it up.
§ Set the scoreboard on/off switch to the ‘down’ position.
§ Carry the case and the extension cord back to the Glander 1 press box.
§ Put the case back into the bottom cabinet and close the cabinet.
§ Turn off the scoreboard by setting the scoreboard 2 on/off switch in the ‘down ‘position.
§ Lock the press box (see below).
§ To lock the press box:
o Pull back on the door
o Enter the code: When the light on the lock blinks green turn the latch to the left locking the door. When the light stops blinking turn the latch to right (should have no resistance). Make sure the door is locked before leaving.