BALLFIELD DESIGN
SHEET FLOW DESIGN Many fields , especially in the parks and recreation sector , are built on gently sloping land . It is very expensive to level up these fields so a conical drainage pattern can be used . Fields like this typically slope from one side of the field to the other . In this situation , a sheet flow drainage pattern would facilitate a consistent slope across the field to efficiently move the water along . The volume of water requiring drainage across the entire field surface makes this the least efficient method of surface draining . Because of the large volume of water moved , a steeper slope is a must to keep water moving . A system of French drains installed into the turf will facilitate the draining . Install them perpendicular to the flow to catch and remove water as it moves across the field . This will allow your builder to reduce the amount of slope needed . When sheet flow drainage is needed with your field design , be sure the field is aligned so that water does not run toward home plate . The field should be turned so that the home plate area is located on the higher side . Ideally , water flow would run outward toward the outfield . For sheet flow , the infield portion may be set at a shallower slope than the rest of the field .
Split Sheet slope recommendations :
0.5 %: Sand-based fields , all levels 1 %: Native soil fields , all levels
SPLIT SHEET FLOW DESIGN This is a more effective surface grade design than sheet flow . It involves running a crowned slope down the centerline of the field ( home plate to second base to centerfield ). The home plate area is the highest point with a slope toward second base . In some cases , this centerline crown can be a flat crown from home plate to center . In addition to the centerline , the field is also sloped from out toward the right field and left field foul areas . This hometo-center and left-to-right pattern is why it ’ s called “ split sheet flow .” This is commonly used on football and soccer fields , and was frequently used in professional baseball in the days prior to sand-based fields when multi-sport stadiums were common in the last century . This is still a reliable way to surface drain ballfields , and , unlike sheet flow , does not make the water travel the entire length of the ballfield . It is graded using a dual slope laser so the operator can set an X and Y axis to create two slopes perpendicular to each other . SFM
The Ballfield Design & Dimensions Guide , Fourth Edition , presented by Beacon Athletics and DuraEdge , provides the information needed to design , construct or renovate ballfields . This expanded version features 56 pages of information about multi-field layouts , setting base anchors for new 18-inch bases , installing your infield skin , artificial vs . natural mounds , and more . For more information , visit https :// beaconathletics . com / store / field-maintenance / fieldmarking-layout / ballfield-guide /
Sheet flow slope recommendations :
1 % to 2 %: Only native soil rootzone ballfields at the recreational and sometimes high school levels
Pro Tip
Thinking about installing subsurface drainage under an infield skin ? Forget it ! Due to the soil makeup and compaction of an infield skin , water moves very slowly through the infield skin profile . In most cases , if not all , water will rarely ever reach the drain tile . This is why proper finish grading that promotes positive surface drainage is so important . Instead , invest in excellent finish grading with quality engineered infield soils that will give you the performance needed to get through those rainy game days . sportsfieldmanagementonline . com March 2024 | SportsField Management
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