September/October 2019 - 7

Keeping the field in peak condition
with the right equipment
Maintaining a baseball field is an art form. Proper field
maintenance is critical for a consistent playing surface,
proper drainage, and player safety. To minimize field
problems, grounds managers need the right equipment,
and the right partners, in order to keep their fields in top
condition throughout the playing season.
To keep the turf consistent, a frequent mowing schedule
needs to be established to ensure proper height of cut.
Fertilizing is also important to provide the right balance of
nutrients for healthy turf throughout the season. In addition,
the infield dirt should be properly graded to reduce standing
water, and irrigation should be carefully monitored to provide
just the right amount of moisture for proper turf growth.
Matt Parrott, head groundskeeper for the Triple-A
Charlotte Knights, utilizes several
key pieces of equipment that were
carefully selected to meet the needs of
the ballpark. " Every piece of equipment
has its purpose, " said Parrott. From the
core harvester to top dresser, to the
sprayer and the ProGator™, the utility of each piece played
an important role in the decision making process.
To keep the field in top condition, Parrott and his team
rely on John Deere equipment and an excellent dealer
relationship. Their MVP is the 1200A field rake, which is
used for tight and wide spots on the infield and warning
track. The 7200A PrecisionCut™ reel mower is primarily
used in the outfield. The operator station provides
tremendous visibility, allowing Parrott to clearly see his
mowing path, pass after pass.
" The 7200A is very user-friendly and ergonomic. Basically,
all the pieces have been outstanding, " said Parrott. " They're
easy to maintain and work on, and we can achieve multiple
outputs with the same piece. "
To keep maintenance simple, all of Parrott's equipment is
covered under warranty or service agreement with John Deere.
" Our distributor takes care of scheduling repairs and allocating
parts; it's very seamless and turnkey, " said Parrott. " When we
had an issue with the fuel tank assembly, John Deere came out
to our facility and developed a fix for the issue. "
Of course, not every school will have the budget of a
Triple-A-level baseball team, but Parrott suggests schools
review their existing equipment and determine which pieces
they use most, then consider the benefits of new versus
used equipment. Working with the dealer is the best bet for
schools, as the dealer can help determine which pieces of
equipment will provide the best bang for the school's buck.
Parrott is able to gain more value from his equipment by
leveraging attachments to complete
multiple tasks with a single piece
of equipment. For example, schools
should seek a ProGator utility vehicle
with the option to convert to a
sprayer. If they're going all-in with the
7200A reel mower, they can add verticutters for agronomic
purposes.
Investing in pre-owned equipment is smart for those on a
tight budget and will help stretch tight budgets even further.
This is especially important when the grounds manager
knows what equipment is needed most, or wants to add
another piece to the line-up.
When groundskeepers are properly equipped and have
the right partners, they can do their best work. Doing their
best work will result in a great playing surface that will
positively impact their team, and the game.
Reach out to your regional John Deere dealer to start the
journey toward creating your best field. Dealers can be found
at www.JohnDeere.com/Dealer.
ADVERTISEMENT | © 2019 John Deere
Choose #103 online
http://www.JohnDeere.com/Dealer
September/October 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September/October 2019
