TruMark's Trail Blazing Blog

Blog: Blog

Baseball/Softball Baselines Without Powdered Chalk!

Trends, Turf _Tips, Product_Review

Are you tired of running out of powdered chalk while doing your baselines, pitchers circle and home plate boxes? Are your foul lines building up a raised surface in the outfield? How can I chalk a line quicker by not waddling behind the chalk marker? Are you trying to reduce the amount of chalk so it isn't dragged all over the infield or baselines? The chalk is discoloring and caking up my infield mix, how can I prevent this? What are the professional baseball team doing to overcome these problems?

Well the Minnesota Twins when their new field was completed invested in a Model EZ-70 field marker in 2010 and began using SwitchBack Ground Boss field marking paint to "chalk" their lines using diluted bulk latex paint and this low volume low pressure 12-volt diaphragm pump technology. The Twins facility staff heard from the Washington Nationals about the unit they purchased in 2009. The Twins field maintenance staff found that there was less over use of "chalk" thus reducing the infield mix contamination. The bulk latex paint since it was biodegradable was not causing problems with the infield mix water retention properties. The lower pump pressure was not creating a dust cloud when applying the diluted paint and once the paint dried the lines were bright white under lights with a higher percentage of the titanium dioxide in the formulation.With the 3-wheel deck construction and the paint shoe and nozzle applicator just outside the rear wheel the operator was still able to eye the string line and walk comfortably with the balanced unit and handlebar assembly. Around home plate the unit could be easily maneuvered to complete the batter and catcher boxes.


This same configuration using SwitchBack Double Play, liquid bulk chalk diluted 1 to 1, is an ideal temporary field marking solution for both indoor and outdoor use on synthetic turf sports fields. Once the liquid chalk dries it preforms like powdered chalk with foot traffic and/or water removing the material from the turf fibers. No cleaning agent are necessary to remove Double Play.

 



comments powered by Disqus

Search

Categories

What's New?

featured_image

Football Field End Zone Design

Trends, Sports, Turf _Tips, Product_Review
When you think about the aesthetics of a football field, we know that the sideline numbers, lines and hash marks are there to guide and regulate play. Let’s take the next step and explore options for beyond the goa...
Read More
featured_image

Football Field Painting and Stenciling Videos

Trends, Sports, Turf _Tips
With football season around the corner it is a great time to get an idea on the scope of what is needed to prep your field. Not every field is going to need the attention, detail or man power of a premier D1 program or a...
Read More
featured_image

What You Need to Know When Painting your Logo on Tracks, Cement or Driveways/Sidewalks

Turf _Tips
Your team or organization's logo is important and is a symbol of pride. Painting your logo on grass is one thing, but what about hard surfaces such as parking lots, sidewalks and tracks? You can absolutely do this! The p...
Read More
featured_image

Baseball/Softball Mound Logos: Low Cost, BIG Impact

Trends, Sports, Turf _Tips
Fields are and always have been a source of pride for each team. The way the field is displayed, on the other hand, continues to evolve. Fields turned into stadiums. The grass went from whatever was grown locally, to per...
Read More
featured_image

Softball and Baseball Field Logo Stencils

Trends, Sports, Turf _Tips, Product_Review
It's 2020 - time to update your baseball field! After the hard work of mound rebuilding, regrading diamonds and topdressing are done don't forget to add your team's identity! Painting your logo on your baseball or s...
Read More
featured_image

Softball and Baseball Field Covers -Built to Last

Trends, Sports, Product_Review
You work hard for your field to be in perfect condition - protect it with a cover from rain, wind or snow!   PRO-Tector Full Infield Cover for Baseball or Softball Fields The PRO-Tector comes in standard size...
Read More
featured_image

Show Your Support for Breast Cancer Awareness with a Ribbon Stencil!

Trends, Product_Review
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Show Your Support! Respectfully show your support or bring awareness to this cause by painting a pink ribbon on your field or in your yard. Ribbon Stencils come in tw...
Read More