There are a lot of different components that go into maintaining a baseball field or any sports field well. From turf maintenance to your selection of baseball field dirt, all of these things affect playability of the field, how good it looks, and the time and effort required for effective maintenance. One thing you should be familiar with if you are going to be maintaining sports fields, is the use and function of vitrified and calcined clays.
Vitrified or calcined clay is used as a topping agent on infield mixes in order to help manage moisture and maintain a stable and comfortable playing surface. It can reduce and eliminate drainage issues as well as make the field much easier to maintain. If you are not using calcined clay, or would like to learn more about how to use it correctly, get in touch with SportsFields4u, your field maintenance equipment experts. In Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and other surrounding states, our professional team can help you select products, plan out field maintenance, and learn how to use these products for the best results on game day.
What is Calcined Clay?
Calcined clay is a heated clay product that has a great ability to absorb moisture, and can be used as top dressing on infield skins, over turf to reduce moisture or even out surfaces, and anywhere you want to reduce moisture and create a more even top surface on softball fields, baseball fields, and other sports fields. Calcined clay is similar to vitrified clay, which can be used for the same functions. In both cases, the materials are heated to high temperatures, which changes the structure of the individual particles of clay. Vitrified clay is heated to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, while calcined clay is heated to only 1,400℉. At these temperatures, the particles take on a new, more stable shape, and absorb moisture very well.
Our Calcined Clay Products
At SportsFields4u, we are happy to offer a variety of high-quality calcined clay products, as well as other top dressing soils, infield conditioners, and more. Just about everything you need to maintain a baseball field, we can provide. Our calcined clay options include:
- Turface MVP
- Turface Pro League
- Turface Quick Dry
- Diamond Pro Calcined Clay Professional
- Diamond Pro Calcined Clay Top Dressing
- Diamond Pro Calcined Clay Drying Agent
We also offer vitrified conditioners such as:
- Diamond Pro Red Infield Conditioner
- Diamond Pro Gray Infield Conditioner
- Diamond Pro Professional Vitrified Infield Conditioner
These are trusted brands, used everywhere from little league to pro ball, and we are sure you will find what you are looking for among these products.
Learn More About Applying Calcined Clay
The first question to ask is whether you want to use calcined of vitrified clay. For infield mixes with a higher sand content, calcined clay is the way to go. For those with less than 70% sand, however, vitrified clay is recommended. Once you know what you need, the next step is to spread ⅛-¼ of an inch over your infield mix. One thing to look out for is to make sure you do not change the surface slope with this addition. Spreading the clay evenly with the back of a rake will help to prevent too much movement of material.
Whether you want to learn more about these products, find out if you are using them right, or compare options, get in touch with SportsFields4u today. For all of your field maintenance equipment needs, our experts are here to help. Contact us online or call us in St. Louis at 636-235-3000.
