When you look at Victory Field you see the beautiful grass infield with the reddish dirt base paths, and the expansive well-groomed outfield. It's an awesome sight. But the aesthetics of the ballpark are made possible by what you don't see. Beneath the field is an extensive drainage system covered by a foot or more of large crushed stone. This is topped by a foot of pea gravel, which in turn is covered by special soil combinations which vary for the infield and the outfield. The latter uses a foot of sand to aid quick drainage and because it's easier to keep level. The reddish dirt infield is actually a 54% clay mix shipped in from Alabama! That's right, the proper soil is so important that it comes from three states away. The infield dirt also contains 34% sand and 12% silt.

The clay dominates the mix because of its density, which provides more sure footing, and because it does not hold the moisture like the sand. While sand allows the water to drain quickly, it also holds moisture much longer than the clay--the evaporation process of clay expedites the drying process. Some local fields use brick dust for the same purpose. Victory Field is also slightly tilted. The infield tilts toward home plate and the outfield toward the outfield fence. This allows for a quicker runoff, one which doesn't soak the field and cause difficult playing conditions or the cancellation of games. Victory Field can take up to six inches of rain per hour and still be ready for playing time within the hour.

After every game the field is raked and swept, besides being dragged. That's right-most high school and college coaches will have their teams or ground crews pay special attention to the infield immediately following a game. Much of the dirt is displaced during the rigors of a game. That fine Alabama clay gets pushed up into the grass. Without attention, the lip of the grass becomes much higher and renders the field unplayable. The base paths need swept--brushing the dirt back into a level plane and away from the grass lip. The batter's box and pitcher's mound take special attention. Usually, a bit of water is used to help level and pack both the mounds. It's not uncommon to see a coach empty the water coolers on the mound or around home plate and then work the soil until it becomes level and firm. Even the bases become part of the player's foundation. The better bases are actually affixed to cement mounts. This prevents the base from moving beneath the player's foot, and to ensure that the base will always be level for the games.

Umpire Dan Jones sings the national anthem while standing on the signature IWU infield.

Many local fields may be well groomed, but decades ago the foundation laid was not extensive enough to withstand rainstorms. Most leagues in the Midwest have established rain policies, not just to cover the days of actual rain, but the days afterward that are lost because of soaked fields. The investment into the foundation of a field will pay dividends for generations to come. The Head Groundskeeper at Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion Duvall, estimates that to build a field properly costs around $32,000. He should know--after generations of tolerating lesser fields, his institution invested in four beautiful fields that will outlast the players and coaches themselves. Because of their firm foundations, they will provide solid footing and predictable play for as long as the game continues.

The next time you run across the field, remember that good footing is dependent upon a good foundation. Oh, you might have a good game or two on a lesser foundation-but as the rains and winds hit, the true foundation will become apparent. Jesus Christ spoke directly about the importance of foundations, but for decisions much more important than fielding a ground ball or stealing a base.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house, yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. Matthew 7:25-27

Jesus will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge. Isaiah 33:5

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⁴  The author interviewed Gary Shepherd on May 20, 1998, and appreciates his willingness to contribute to Heads Up Choices.   Return To Article