Play Ball!

—As told to Amy Barrett

H&K Sportsfields

“I grew up playing baseball and coached my kids through Little League. I knew the previous owner of this business-he coached a team I competed against when I was a kid. I ran into him in 2003 at one of my son’s games and he was talking about getting out of the business. This was an opportunity to branch out into an area I have a passion for. There’s a real nostalgia about baseball. And there’s a whole new group of people who have a passion for the game. It’s fun to see Little Leaguers come out to see a field after we’ve renovated it, with tears in their eyes, saying, ‘We get to play on this field?’”

WHO: Mike Parent
WHAT: Designs, constructs, and renovates baseball fields
WHERE: Egg Harbor, Wis.
EMPLOYEES: 5
HOW HE DID IT: Bought the business from an acquaintance after working in his family’s excavation company
COST OF A NEW LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL FIELD: $150,000

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What is Magic Mix made of, and how it is different from the vitrified and calcined clays that Diamond Pro and Turface makes. We are always looking for the next best thing.

Here is a quick overview of Magic Mix.

Magic Mix Topdressing:
A finely crushed aggregate that has been proven over
the years to be a solid performer on ballfields,
especially in northern climates. It’s rich red color gives
any field a more professional finished look. Magic Mix
is fine enough to slide or dive on without worry of
player safety. Dense material that won’t wash away or
create dust. Just one-quarter to one-half inch coating
improves resiliency, slows the evaporation of moisture
from your infield skin and speeds reentry onto the field
after a rain event – minimizing the use of other drying
agents.

Because Magic Mix is made from crushed granite to finely tuned
specifications, it is more dense than the vitrified and calcined clay and as
a result:

• Magic Mix does not break down as easily or quickly.
• Magic Mix does not get as dusty when dried out.
• Magic Mix does not require the same amount of water on the materialto keep it playable in dry conditions.

Different from other topdressing materials, Magic Mix has been designed to
provide an outstanding playing surface under all weather conditions.
The “Magic” comes from our exclusive particle sizing and gradation.

• It provides increased player stability.
• It helps to protect the infield skin from excessive moisture loss.
• It allows surface water to move through and drain off skinned surfaces.
• It will not create a hard playing surface.
• It will not wash or blow away.
• It will not stain uniforms.

Magic Mix does not need to be replaced as often as other materials. It was
specifically designed to work well under low maintenance conditions.
Its deep red color reduces glare and contrasts beautifully with green grass
to highlight your turf.

If you would like a sample of Magic Mix sent to you, please let us know by filling out our contact form and we will be happy to get a sample to you.

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H&K Sports Fields has a proprietary baseball field playing service product Magic Mix, which is used on the baseball fields to make the ultimate playing surface. View Magic Mix FAQ. Magic Mix is the newest material available for softball and baseball fields. Magic Mix allows for a great, safe playing surface. The material is by far the most cost cutting, labor saving material available today.

Magic Mix has a deep, rich color: gives a better baseball playing surface in all weather conditions: works with soil conditioner and drying agents to make the best drying condition possible after rain: compacts to give great footing, but does not over compact to make a rock hard surface: plays better than any conditioned clay surface: is easily applied by hand or top dresser:cost effective due to the porous nature of the material, eliminating the need for costly maintenance upkeep: creates more consistent baseball playing surface, smooth and soft – makes the balls bounce straight, no more pot holes or sharp stones to worry about.

Magic Mix is a fine baseball field construction material which can be used on all infield skinned areas for baseball or softball fields, and it can also be used on pitching mounds, bull pen areas, and warning tracks.

What is the main reason to use H&K Magic Mix during baseball field construction?

Magic Mix surface playing material, also known as top dressing, has many performance enhancing qualities for baseball fields, but the most important is assisting in surface drainage that allows baseball games to be played as soon as precipitation stops. Because Magic Mix does not get muddy or slippery games can be played as scheduled. Drying materials such as calcified clay are not needed to soak up water.

What is H&K Magic Mix baseball playing surface made of?

Magic Mix primary make-up is pulverized granite proprietary manufactured to exact gradation standards.

How often do I have to replace H&K Magic Mix?

If proper mat dragging and other basic field maintenance is followed Magic Mix should last up to five (5) years on your baseball field before replacement is necessary.

How deep, in baseball fields, is H&K Magic Mix installed?

We recommend ¼” to 3/8” deep. Magic Mix is a surface playing material; also know as a top dressing material. The intent of Magic Mix is to cover the skinned area of the baseball infield with a thin layer of performance enhancing material.

What maintenance is required after baseball games?

Very little, the only maintenance that we recommend is mat dragging with a steel mat after baseball field construction.
“We have tried other top dressing materials and found that some stain uniforms.”

Does H&K Magic Mix stain uniforms?

No, because H&K Magic Mix does not contain any clay or silt materials to stick to uniforms.

Does H&K Magic Mix hurt when you slide?

No, Magic Mix is made through a pulverizing process that eliminates any sharp edges. In addition, the gradation of Magic Mix is small enough that even young players with improper sliding techniques can feel confident in taking that extra base.

Does H&K Magic Mix blow away?

No. Magic Mix main ingredient is granite which is very hard and dense. Unlike calcified clays or diatomaceous earth Magic Mix is heavy and will not blow off baseball fields.

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