1、Designation: F 2107 08An American National StandardStandard Guide forConstruction and Maintenance of Skinned Areas onBaseball and Softball Fields1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 2107; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in
2、 the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon () indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This guide covers techniques that are appropriate for theconstruction and maintenan
3、ce of skinned areas on baseball andsoftball fields. This guide provides guidance for the selectionof materials, such as soil, sand, gravel, crushed stone, crushedbrick, calcined clay, calcined diatomaceous earth, vitrified clay,etc., for use in constructing or reconditioning skinned areas andfor the
4、 selection of management practices that will maintain asafe and playable skinned surface. Although this guide isspecific to baseball/softball, it has application to other sportswhere ball bounce, ball roll, or player footing, or a combinationthereof, are of importance.1.2 Decisions in selecting cons
5、truction and maintenancetechniques are influenced by existing soil types, climaticfactors, level of play, intensity of use, equipment available,budget, and training and ability of management personnel.1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard. The values in parentheses are
6、for information only.1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials, opera-tions, and equipment. This standard does not purport toaddress all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with itsuse. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard toestablish appropriate safety and health pra
7、ctices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.1.5 This guide offers an organized collection of informationor a series of options and does not recommend a specificcourse of action. This document cannot replace education orexperience and should be used in conjunction
8、with professionaljudgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in allcircumstances. The ASTM standard is not intended to representor replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of agiven professional service must be judged, nor should thisdocument be applied without consideration
9、of a projects manyunique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of thisdocument means only that the document has been approvedthrough the ASTM consensus process.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C33 Specification for Concrete AggregatesC 242 Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and RelatedP
10、roductsD 422 Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of SoilsD 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and ContainedFluidsD 5883 Guide for Use of Rotary Kiln Produced ExpandedShale, Clay or Slate (ESCS) as a Mineral Amendment inTopsoil Used for Landscaping and Related PurposesE11 Specification for Wi
11、re Cloth and Sieves for TestingPurposesF 405 Specification for Corrugated Polyethylene (PE) Pipeand FittingsF 1632 Test Method for Particle Size Analysis and SandShape Grading of Golf Course Putting Green and SportsField Rootzone MixesF 2270 Guide for Construction and Maintenance of Warn-ing Track A
12、reas on Sports Fields3. Terminology3.1 DefinitionsExcept as noted, soil related definitions arein accordance with Terminology D 653.3.1.1 calcined claygranular, lightweight material pro-duced by calcining clay minerals, such as montmorillonite andattapulgite, at temperatures of about 700C or higher.
13、 Thoseused as soil amendments should be hard, resistant to physicalbreakdown, and screened to appropriate sizes. Calcined clay isa manufactured product that lacks the particle size and plas-ticity properties that would allow it to be included in thedefinition of clay. (1)33.1.2 calcined diatomitesta
14、ble, lightweight granules pro-duced by calcining diatomite (diatomaceous earth), a hydratedsilica mineral derived from the remains of diatoms. (1)1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on SportsEquipment and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F08.64 onNa
15、tural Playing Surfaces.Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2008. Published November 2008. Originallyapproved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as F 2107 07.2For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org. For Annual
16、Book of ASTMStandards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end ofthis standard.1Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-295
17、9, United States.3.1.3 clayclay can be defined in terms of a particular sizefraction of a soil, a soil textural class, a soil particle size class,a soil textural group, soil mineralogy, or, in engineering terms,as materials that exhibit plastic soil properties when at appro-priate water contents.3.1
18、.3.1 DiscussionIdeally, the term “clay” should be ap-propriately defined when used to describe soils for skinnedinfield mixes. For example, a 60 % sand/40 % clay mixturecould imply either 60 % sand/40 % clayey soil (or other soilswith textures containing enough clay (0.05 mm and 2.0 mm and 7.6 mm. M
19、ore correctly used, thisclassification refers to “rock fragments” classified as pebbles inthe Glossary of Soil Science Terms (1997). (3,6)3.1.8 skinned areaarea on sports fields that, by design, isdevoid of turfgrasses or other vegetation; may be entire field ora portion of the field (for example, s
20、kinned infield in baseballor softball; skinned base paths in otherwise turfed infield).Pitching mounds and catchers and batters boxes are alsoconsidered skinned areas. Warning tracks (Guide F 2270) canbe considered skinned areas as well.3.1.9 soilsediments or other unconsolidated accumula-tions of s
21、olid particles produced by the physical and chemicaldisintegration of rocks, and which may or may not containorganic matter.3.1.10 soil profilevertical section of a soil, showing thenature and sequence of the various layers, as developed bydeposition or weathering or both or as developed by construc
22、-tion procedures.3.1.11 soil texture (gradation) (grain-size distribution)theproportions by mass of a soil or fragmented rock distributed inspecified particle size ranges.3.1.11.1 soil textural classtexture designation based onrelative proportions of the various soil separates: sand (2.0 to0.05 mm i
23、n diameter), silt (0.05 to 0.002 mm), and clay(0.002 mm). (2-7)NOTE 1Particle size ranges for sand, silt, and clay as listed above varysomewhat from ranges given in Test Method D 422 and TerminologyD 653.4. Significance and Use4.1 The skinned areas of baseball and softball fields shouldprovide a uni
24、form playing surface of high quality. Ball bounceshould be true and predictable. Footing and sliding propertiesshould favor optimum performance of players. Undulations,rough surface, hard or soft surfaces, weeds, stones, and wetspots detract from good play. Playing surface quality is largelyaffected
25、 by construction and maintenance procedures, and thisstandard guide addresses those procedures. While warningtracks are a type of skinned area found on baseball and softballfields, this standard does not apply to warning tracks. Aseparate standard, Guide F 2270, presents information pertain-ing to w
26、arning tracks.4.1.1 During construction, consideration should be given tofactors such as the physical and chemical properties of mate-rials used in the area, freedom from stones and other debris,and surface and internal drainage.4.1.2 Maintenance practices that influence the playability ofthe surfac
27、e include edging, dragging, rolling, watering, vegeta-tion control, brushing or hosing to prevent buildup of a lip ofF2107082mineral matter in turfgrass at the skinned/turfed edges, andremoval of stones and debris that may adversely affect play andsafety.4.2 Those responsible for the design, constru
28、ction, or main-tenance, or a combination thereof, of skinned areas on baseballand softball fields will benefit from this guide.4.3 This guide provides flexibility in choices of proceduresand can be used to cover a variety of use and budget levels.5. Construction5.1 Skinned Infield and Basepath Areas
29、:5.1.1 Skinned Infield MixMaterials used to provide theskinned surface should be relatively inert mineral matter,which will resist chemical and physical degradation. This soilor mixture is sometimes referred to as “dirt,” for example,infield dirt. It is used in constructing skinned infields andbasep
30、ath areas.5.1.2 Particle Size DistributionParticle size analyses(Test Method D 422 or F 1632) are based on oven-dried massof a weighed sample; shaker is the preferred method ofdispersion if the skinned infield mix contains internally porousamendments. Such analyses are satisfactory when the skinnedi
31、nfield mix consists of sand and soil materials; however,analysis based on mass can give misleading results if theskinned infield mix contains internally porous amendments.5.1.2.1 Native Soil Skinned Areas:(1) Depending on the soil texture, some existing or nativesoils containing greater than 70 % sa
32、nd (2.0 to 0.05 mm) maybe satisfactory in skinned areas; however, some soils will needto be modified to improve drainage and ease of soil grooming.Additions of coarse amendments (sand, calcined mineral (clayor diatomite), expanded shale, clay or slate, vitrified clay orcombinations in appropriate am
33、ounts (dependent on texturalclass of soil being modified) should increase permeability, andimprove the overall aesthetics of the surface after grooming.Added sand or calcined materials should have a minimum of85 % of the particles passing a 4.0 mm (No. 5) sieve andretained on a 106 m (No. 140) sieve
34、. Quartz sands arerecommended; if sand contains more than 5 % calcium car-bonate equivalent, the sand has the potential for particlecementation due to dissolution and precipitation. If additionswill increase the grade to an unacceptable elevation, removeappropriate amounts of soil prior to the addit
35、ion of coarseamendments. The final mixture should have approximately 90to 100 % of the particles passing a 4.0 mm (No. 5) sieve and 15to 30 % passing a 106 m (No. 140) sieve. In final raking andgrading, remove all debris and stone greater than 1 cm indiameter from the surface 1.5 cm. The settled dep
36、th of themodified soil should be about 10 cm.(2) Modification of an existing soil should be done duringconstruction of the facility. In some recreational baseball/softball situations, consideration of skinned areas occurs onlyafter a turfgrass stand is worn down to the soil surface. Layoutand modifi
37、cation of skinned areas can take place at that timeand will require taking the field out of play unless the work isdone after the playing season.5.1.2.2 Artificial (Man-made) Skinned Areas:(1) Artificial (man-made) profiles are sometimes con-structed to create the skinned area. In situations where p
38、rofilescontain more than 85 % sand and exhibit high internal perme-ability under heavy compaction, the skinned infield mix can beplaced on a drainage blanket of gravel, which providessubsurface drainage. In situations where profiles contain lessthan 85 % sand and exhibit limited internal permeabilit
39、y underheavy compaction, a drainage blanket of gravel is not required,as subsurface drainage will be minimal. Skinned infield mixesof this nature may be placed directly on top of the subsoil.Additional information regarding the construction of skinnedinfield areas with subsurface drainage systems is
40、 found in theappendix.(2) Skinned Infield MixA skinned infield mix can be usedto bring the surface to final grade. Add approximately 10 to 15cm (4 to 6 in.) of skinned infield mix and finish to final grade.Skinned infield mix materials should meet the followingparticle size specifications. Quartz sa
41、nds are recommended; ifsand contains more than 5 % calcium carbonate equivalent, thesand has the potential for particle cementation due to dissolu-tion and precipitation.Sieve Designation (E-11) Skinned Infield Mix% passingStandard Alternate2.00 mm No. 10 85-1001.00 mm No. 18 62-90500 m No. 35 48-84
42、250 m No. 60 38-71150 m No. 100 27-6053 m No. 270 19-40(a) Management of the surface will be affected by theamount of material 53 m (0.05 mm, silt and clay). As thisfraction decreases, the area will be more permeable but willretain less water. Management requirements based on thisfraction will be af
43、fected by the relative proportion of silt to clayand the type of clay. The presence of clay is desirable from thestandpoint of providing both a firm and stable surface for goodfooting. Clays that are oxides and hydroxides of iron andaluminum are less cohesive, sticky, and plastic than silicate(layer
44、 silicate) clays. Smectitic clays (for example, montmo-rillonite) are silicate clays that have the highest cohesive,plastic, and shrink/swell properties. Illitic clays (fine-grainedmica clay) are characterized by a much lower expression ofthese properties than found in smectites. Cohesion, swelling,
45、shrinkage, plasticity, and stickiness properties of kaoliniticclays are lower than smectitic and illitic clays. The order ofdecreasing cohesiveness and plasticity are as follows: Smec-titic, Illitic, Kaolinitic, Quartz. Because of differences in thephysical properties of different clay types and var
46、iations intotal clay that can occur in the suggested particle size specifi-cation for a skinned infield mix, adjustments to these specifi-cations may be appropriate in some cases.(b) In general, skinned infield mixes with less than 19 %in the 53 m (0.05 mm) fraction are better suited in rainyclimate
47、s due to greater internal drainage. In dry periods, theymay require additional irrigation to minimize dust and toprovide a firm surface. Skinned infield mixes with greater than19 % in the 53 m (0.05 mm), will drain more slowly butwill retain more water. Frequency of irrigation will be less.These mix
48、es will be more cohesive and will be more difficultto loosen when they compact.(c) If the performance of a skinned infield mix is nottotally satisfactory after installation, its physical compositionF2107083can be altered by incorporating sand or amendments to loosenit or by adding clayey soil to cre
49、ate a firmer mix. Suchalterations may be related to player preference or to ease ofmaintenance.(d) For baseball/softball areas, it is desirable to have afirm, moist mix with a loose 6 to 7 mm cap over the entire area.This cap, comprised of loosened skinned infield mix or amixture of sand or amendment and the skinned infield mix,should allow for uniform ball bounce and roll to occur, as wellas provide a good surface for sliding. It also gives playersmaterial to repair divots or other imperfections that may occurduring the game. An advantage to using stable
