1. Overview: For games played at Woolridge, the home team is responsible for lining the field. It takes about 15 minutes per field. If multiple games are scheduled, field 1 should be lined first followed by field 2 and then field 3. Therefore, to allow sufficient time to complete field 3, field 1 must be started at least 45 minutes prior to game time.
2. Tools & Lime: A liner and marking lime, plus a few miscellaneous tools, are available in the cabinet behind the field #2 backstop. The cabinet is secured with a combination padlock. Contact the Baseball or Softball Administrator to obtain the combination.
3. Field Dimensions: A spool of nylon string is provided with loops tied at the key distances: 2’, 20’, 43’, 50’and 90’. It is extremely difficult to mark a straight line without the aid of a string. Please take a few extra minutes to do a quality job.
4. Foul Lines: Foul lines begin at the upper rear point of home plate (the plate is in fair territory). Steel pins are located 90’ down each base line. Stretch the string from home plate to the appropriate foul line pin.
5. Batter’s Box Allowance: Allow approximately 4’ to accommodate batter’s boxes as described below.
6. Liner Operation: Raise lift gate handle approximately halfway and visually line up red decal with string. Always look forward; do not focus on the liner discharges or you will end up with a wavy line.
7. Foul Ball Arc (T-Ball): Scribe and mark a 20’ arc from home plate to indicate the “foul ball” area for T-Ball.
8. Infield Line: Scribe and mark a 43’ dashed arc from home plate to indicate the infield playing line. Hint: place a dash where each infielder plays so you can tell them where to stand.
9. Pitcher’s Circle: Scribe and mark a 4’ diameter pitcher’s circle 45’ from home plate using “2’ loop” on the guide string as a compass.
10. Catcher’s Circle: Scribe and mark 4’ diameter catcher’s circles 6’ from center pole of each bench fence. Note: The catcher always stands in the circle facing the batter to lessen the likelihood of being hit by a thrown bat.
11. Home Run Line: On field #1, mark a 90’ “Home Run” arc as required. On fields 2 and 3, use the edge of the grass as the Home Run line.
12. Bases: Places bases at the prescribed distance. T-Ball and Pee Wee bases are at 50’; Shetland is at 60’.
13. Batter’s Boxes: Optional: Batter’s boxes are 4’ X 6’ and 4” away from the plate. Step off 3’ from upper side corner of the plate. Scribe a line a line parallel to the plate. Scribe the rest of the box and use liner to mark the outline.
14. Tool Return: Return tools to cabinet and secure with padlock.
