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Board discusses long-running infield 'lip' problems and potential fixes for baseball diamonds
Summary
Parks staff described recurring infield 'lip' buildup on baseball diamonds caused by repeated seasonal material additions and drainage patterns; members discussed options including regrading, sod cutting, irrigation changes and a possible year-long closure to enable repairs.
Parks staff outlined a persistent maintenance problem on the baseball infields: a raised "lip" that has developed over years from repeated additions of material around base paths and drainage patterns. Staff said routine rolling and selective fill have not solved the issue and presented options including cutting sod, regrading the infield or raising irrigation and fences to create a more gradual slope.
"The only way to fix that would be either to lower the whole infield or raise the whole," staff said, describing trade-offs in labor and field downtime. Members discussed using a sod cutter and heavy equipment or temporarily closing fields for a full-season repair; several favored a more substantial repair despite short-term disruption to reduce recurring maintenance needs. Staff will explore laser-level surveys and cost estimates and report back to the board with a recommended approach.
