| Choices
and Decisions Good:
Grounds keeper for a pro team - they have experience and contacts
and lots of ideas, but are geared towards a more high cost, high labor
maintenance program. Only a pro team can afford this.
Excellent:
Pro baseball field suppliers - they know the products, equipment
and needs for a quality sports field. Great source for expert opinions..
OK - Good:
Private landscapers and landscape suppliers -
they know about your climate and grass and fertilizer. They might not
know anything about a sports field though.
OK: Neighbors
with great looking yards - they do something regularly with watering,
fertilizing, and mowing.
Mixed: the
Internet - Lots of sources, but do they know what they are talking
about? Can they prove it? Are they credible? Does their experience and
suggestion match your needs and budget?
OK - Good:
park districts and other baseball coaches - this is a real mixed bag of
folks that may or may not know what they are talking about. Sometimes
the coaches are not involved in field care much. Others handle it. Some
high school and college coaches are very knowledgeable. Ask the guy who
sticks around after a game or practice and putters around on the field.
This might be someone who cares and is knowledgeable. He might have tips
and hints.
Sources
and Suppliers of good advice
Sources I've used
and am very satisfied with: Sierra Pacific Turf Supply and Horizon.
I've found that they understand what competitive baseball fields need.
They also supply many pro teams with product and advisors.
Or
you can contact me for some advice as well. Fill out the form
and enter your question.
Tips & Hints
- Value their
time. Prepare your list of questions ahead of time to be as
efficient as possible.
- Schedule a tour.
Take pictures. Take notes.
- If they help you
out, come later and show them pictures of what you did with their product
or with their advice and help.
Mistakes to avoid
The biggest
mistake is to not ask for help. You need to seek out the right
people and you'll find a few who are more than willing to share what they
know. Then share what you learn with others... just like me!
|
