INFIELD AND BASELINES

1. Check the condition of the infield and baselines. If the dirt looks raked or dragged after the previous game, proceed to chalking the field. If not, follow the directions below.
2. Using the infield rake, rake all displaced dirt away from the grass edges. Generally this only needs to be done around 1st and 3rd bases. Never rake the dirt toward or into the grass as it creates lips.
3. Use the rake to fill in any low areas around the bases and/or the pitcher's mound.
4. Using the metal drag, drag the entire infield area. Make sure you overlap when you change directions. The drags are usually rolled up against one of the dugout fences. Do not drag dirt into the grass areas as it creates lips.

CHALKING THE BATTER'S BOXES

1. Get the chalk machine from the field box. Make sure the bin is full of chalk.
2. Retrieve the batter's box template (3’ x 7’ steel rectangle). The template is outside the field against the fence.
3. Lay the template down with the 4” tab against the side of home plate in the dirt. The 6’ dimension should be parallel with the imaginary line from the center of home plate to the center of the pitching rubber.
4. For Softball, outline along the outside of the entire template. For Baseball, use the smaller box formed by the inside of the template. This will leave an impression in the dirt.
5. Follow the impression left in the dirt with the chalk machine. Center the chalk on the impression. Do not chalk the whole line next to home plate.
6. Place the chalk machine back into the field box.

CHALKING THE BASELINES AND FOUL LINES

1. Drive a spike into the ground behind the point at the back of home plate. Pull the string taut to straighten it, then lay the string down on the grass.
2. Place the chalk machine above the line. The chalk machine will put down a 2-inch-wide strip of chalk on the ground. Apply the chalk line in fair territory (inside of string line). Try to follow the string line closely so the chalk line is straight. Note that the string line will go over the outside of 1st and 3rd bases.
3. Repeat the steps above for the right field line.
4. Place the chalk machine back into the field box.

BATTER'S BOX

1. Fill in any low spots created by the batters using the rake. The infield rakes are hanging on the dugout fences. Make sure that the dirt is level with home plate. Never rake the dirt toward the grass.

INFIELD AREA

1. Using the infield rake, rake all displaced dirt away from the grass edges. Generally, this only needs to be done around 1st and 3rd bases. Do not rake the dirt toward or into the grass area, as it creates lips.
2. Use the rake to fill in any low areas around the bases.
3. Using the metal drag, drag the entire infield area. Make sure you overlap when changing directions. The drags are usually rolled up against one of the dugout fences. Do not drag dirt into the grass, and be sure to pick up the drag when finished so that you don’t drag dirt into the grass.