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Whether you are an old-timer in baseball or a new and enthusiastic player, there are always new things to learn or confirm. One of these things has to do with chalking of the baseball field. Yeah, some players (and even fans) don’t really know the import of this.
If you are a beginner here, the first question in your mind is “Why all the chalk lines?” If the chalk is necessary, is there an excellent, no-issues way, to chalk a baseball field?
How to chalk a baseball field
Maybe you’re organizing an informal baseball game in your backyard; it might be a college game or a fun-filled baseball weekend tournament and such. But you know pretty well that plotting the chalk lines on the field is an important requirement for the game.
The lines are a crucial part of the game. They ensure the game is not only fun but most importantly, it’s fair to both teams.
But you think that drawing these lines calls for professionals to chalk the field – and that costs money. The problem is you are not a professional here and you still need the chalking done at a near-zero cost. Can you DIY? Yes, you can, but how? Read on.
How to Chalk a baseball field
For starters, there are two categories of lines that you have to chalk. One is those lines that trace the importance of baseball chalk lines from the home base, and two, there are those lines that cater to the batter’s boxes. Putting all these necessary chalk lines makes you, and the competing teams, ready for the much-awaited baseball games with your buddies.
So, how do you go about accomplishing the chalking task? Of course, you’ll need a few tools for the task. We’ll highlight these tools as we proceed.
So how do you do it and still have your work look like it was done by a pro?
Step One: Choose the appropriate application method
While there are numerous methods that you can use to chalk the field, you want the most cost-effective way to do this. The following are some of the best methods you can use to chalk your baseball field:
- Use a line chalker
- Use a handheld chalker, or
- Use a box chalker
What’s the difference here?
1. Using a line chalker
Generally, line chalkers are relatively small devices used for this purpose. Though there are several types and brands of line chalkers they work on the same principle. You just fill the chalker with marking chalk, set your preferred width and then wheel the device across the field. In case you are new to this technology here are some great line chalkers for your consideration.
A baseball line chalker not offers you the opportunity to determine the width of your line but also enables you to mark the lines with utmost precision. The latter fact is a big plus for your marking effort.
If you have a reasonably good budget, the Alumagoal All-Steel Dry Line 65 lbs marker might be your best bet. This easy to use marker adjusts to both 4 and 2-inch lines and is available in weighing capacities of 65 lbs. and 25 lbs.
On the other hand, if you are low on budget, why not consider one of the prime low-budget base baseball field makers? Think about the Baseball Field lining Kit. With its 6 sockets with plugs and socket setter, this chalker delivers accurate and precise lines but at a much lower cost.
If you are chalking the field just by yourself, you’ll love this device. Why? You can use it without having to look for someone else to help you do the task.
2. Use a handheld chalker
This is a rather basic method of chalking the field. A handheld chalker is a small bucket with a medium-size hole at the bottom. Think of a normal bucket that lets the chalk sip through it as you move along and you have a clear picture of what this method is all about.
As you might have correctly guessed the precision and accuracy of the lines depend on how straight you can walk.
The Lineer Standard Handheld Chalker is one device that does an excellent job here. It’s one of the lowest-priced devices in this category. You’ll easily carry this gadget by hand and apply your chalk with minimal fuss.
Though this product is ideal for small areas you can still do the entire field if you so wish.
Its ergonomic design not only makes it easy to handle but you won’t have to bend down the whole chalking duration.
3. Use a box chalker
You use this box to create the batter’s box. But what is a box chalker? It’s a U-shaped device that allows you to easily chalk ting box. How you use this box chalker varies depending on the box chalker you use.
Put simply, just feel up the box chalker with powdered chalk and stamp the ground near the home plate where the batter’s box is supposed to be. Remember, this device is U-shaped. That means you’ll have to stamp the g ground twice on each respective side of the home plate.
One stamp faces towards the field and the other faces away from the field.
**Having a hard time catching a baseball? Check our tips to catch a baseball with two hands!!!**
Step Two: Apply the Chalk
Once you are through with step one, it’s time to proceed to the next step –applying the chalk. The following simple steps will see you through with the assignment.
- Remove all the old chalk from the field
You don’t want old lines interring with your new lines. That’s why you need the right shovel for this task. BY this we mean a shovel with a straight tip. This makes it super easy to scrape off the old chalk from the field.
How do you do this? Scrap the shovel back and forth across all the old chalk liner. Do this until all the chalk blends into the surrounding clay. Make sure you remove all the old lines to prevent a buildup of the same down the middle of the line.
- ii) Tie a string straight from the rear edge of the first base all the way to the home plate.
This can be done by driving pointed stakes into the ground at these two points. The distance covered will measure 90 feet.
- Repeat the above process but this time covering the distance between the back of the third base all the way to the rear point at home plate.
- Apply your chalk along the inner edges of the strings. Walk straight as you chalk the lines from the home plate to bases.
- Ensure the chalk lines are two inches wide. Though you can have narrower lines thus use less chalk this will compromise the visibility of the chalk lines.
- Buy a high-quality chalking line from a reputable store. Paveline 1111-60 Field Maker comes with an effective formula that will serve your baseball field marking requirements for a long time.
So whether you are a beginner or a veteran you now have the tips of how to chalk your baseball quickly and with no fuss. But remember to chalk the field at the right time – not too long before the game or a few hours to the game.
If you do it long before the game players might mess me up during their warm-ups. Too close to the game you might never know what can hinder you from accomplishing the task in time. So be wise and let the teams enjoy the game in a well-chalked baseball tournament.
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