The Principals of Baseball Field Design
In the Beginning, Old Ballparks
Fenway Park in Boston is the oldest park in the major leagues. Fans would gasp in disbelief if it was bulldozed over, not only because of their historical attachment to the field, but also because of its design. Hope is not lost for fans who favor the old-fashioned parks, though, because stadiums built in Baltimore, Cleveland and Arlington, incorporate features from parks like Fenway but with a little more modern details and technology.
However, some fans don’t mind an exchange of old design for modern fields like Toronto’s Skydome, so they can watch their favorite game under the protection of the retractable roof in bad weather. Luckily, fans everywhere can be pleased because field designs vary from park to park—there’s something for every fan, rain or shine.
One important aspect of field design is knowing and understanding the principles of design and construction. Issues like improper field layout can cause many problems in the future. Key areas of concentration are water drainage, irrigation systems, maintenance programs for infield materials , field equipment and fences. Proper construction and maintenance of these areas provide a smooth baseball field and a beautiful site for enthusiasts. Aesthetically pleasing fields are definitely well thought out and measured.
Infields are important in the design process, especially when weather becomes an issue. With special infield mixes like Magic Mix, baseball players are not stuck with the traditional mess that a dirt surface would bring. It also provides quicker recovery from rain with its drainage and more stability for players. Deciding to incorporate top dressing material like Magic Mix not only plays better but looks better, longer. Better fields do make better players.