Cole Camp High School Field Maintenance Cost Comparison
Cole Camp High School Field Maintenance Cost Comparison
Introduction: Cole Camp High School's baseball and softball facilities endure extensive yearly and daily field maintenance due to the heavy use by the school and summer rec programs. The fields are used daily from late February to mid-July, which subjects them to significant wear and tear. In particular, the batters' boxes and pitchers' mounds require daily maintenance using clay, and after the summer programs are complete, a complete reconstruction of these areas is necessary each year. This maintenance is labor-intensive and costly, which led to the exploration of alternatives, specifically the use of Field Armor Athletics pitching mounds.
Field Armor Implementation: In the fall of 2023, Cole Camp High School decided to install Field Armor batters' boxes and catcher's boxes on both fields, as well as the pitching area on the softball field. This implementation aimed to reduce or eliminate the costs associated with clay and labor-intensive maintenance, providing a more cost-effective and efficient solution.
Field Armor in Practice: As part of the evaluation process, a test experiment was conducted in the spring of 2023. A small piece of Field Armor, similar in size to a pitcher's rubber, was buried in front of the pitching rubber, replacing the traditional use of clay. The experiment's objectives were to reduce the need for mound maintenance, eliminate the use of clay, and prevent pitchers from creating holes in front of the rubber. The results were highly promising:
- Daily maintenance of the Field Armor-equipped mound required minimal raking to redistribute dirt over the Armor, taking less than 15 seconds and incurring no additional cost.
- Pitchers appreciated the consistent, flat surface offered by the Field Armor, improving their performance and comfort.
- The experiment successfully eliminated the need for clay and hole repairs, resulting in substantial time and cost savings.
"Field Armor cuts down the time and money that it takes to maintain a good playing surface. Money saved on clay can be spent elsewhere and the man hours saved can be used to extend practices and focus on other much needed things. You can put them in the ground, and forget about them!" - Coach Rusk
Cost Comparison:
- Cost of installing Field Armor: $2,888 (for a standard 3-pack)
- Annual cost of clay: $1,200
- Field Armor pays for itself in approximately 2.5 years at Cole Camp High School.
Advantages of Field Armor:
- Performance: Field Armor provides a solid, durable surface for players. It ensures better footing for batters, catchers, and pitchers, contributing to improved performance.
- Maintenance: Daily field repair time is significantly reduced, as no holes are left behind, and maintenance simply involves raking. This cuts down on both time and costs associated with clay.
- Financial Savings: Field Armor eliminates the need for yearly repairs of batters' boxes and mounds, allowing the school to allocate funds elsewhere.
Results and Conclusion:
- The implementation of Field Armor not only saved money previously spent on clay but also reduced the time required for field maintenance. This financial and time efficiency has enabled the school to allocate resources to other areas of the program.
- The use of Field Armor significantly reduced bullpen mound repairs, from around 5 minutes to just 15 seconds.
- Field Armor has demonstrated its ability to withstand daily use and maintain a high-quality playing surface.
- Overall, Field Armor Athletics Pitching Mounds have proven to be a cost-effective and efficient solution for Cole Camp High School, reducing maintenance costs, saving time, and enhancing the performance of their baseball and softball facilities. Coach Rusk emphasizes that Field Armor allows them to "put them in the ground and forget about them," underlining its long-term benefits.
©2023 Aeroform Athletics,® | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | Industrial Website Catalog by WYSIWYG Marketing