Ask our Expert: Internal Curing of Concrete
If you’re looking to build your own “Field of Dreams” or simply dry a puddle so the game can go on, Diamond Pro’s General Manager Rene Asprion has the answers. Since 1989, Texas-based Diamond Pro has used expanded shale and clay to pioneer infield conditioning, creating smooth, safe, and consistent ball fields that have become the industry standard. Rene Asprion shares his expertise, addressing common questions about sports field applications.
How much conditioner do I need for my field?
ANSWER: The majority of fields we work with are high school baseball fields. For these fields, as well as college and pro fields with 90-foot bases and grass infields, we recommend about a quarter inch of conditioner—around 6 to 7 tons, depending on the exact cut of the infield.
There are different variations depending on factors such as the composition of your infield mix, but this is our general recommendation. On our Diamond Pro website, we provide detailed coverage charts for specific needs.
How does Diamond Pro differ from competitors?
ANSWER: A lot of competitors offer infield conditioners, which come in two types: calcine and vitrified. We manufacture the vitrified product, called Red Infield Conditioner, and also offer calcine. Our Double Play Infield Conditioner is a blend of both.
Beyond product quality, we’re committed to truthful, honest opinions, outstanding service, and superior education in the industry.
What’s the difference between vitrified and calcine?
ANSWER: The vitrified material we produce is a montmorillonite clay heated to about 2000°F, creating a durable, absorbent, porous ceramic.
Calcine is heated to 1200°F, making it more absorbent but less durable. Vitrified material is slightly heavier, which helps it stay in place during high winds or adverse weather.
Should I use bricks or bags of clay?
ANSWER: We sell both bagged clay and palletized clay bricks. The bricks have a higher clay content and “melt” into clay over time, lasting longer in high-stress areas.
Both products serve the same purpose, but bricks generally provide more durability.
How much do I need for a specific area?
ANSWER: We have a coverage chart to help determine the exact amount needed for batter’s boxes or pitcher’s mounds.
How much does it take to build a mound?
ANSWER: A regulation mound, whether for high school or major league baseball, typically requires about seven tons of clay to construct from scratch.
What is Double Play?
ANSWER: Double Play is a product we introduced in 2012 at the Major League All-Star Game. It’s a blend of 65% vitrified and 35% calcine, created at the request of our major league partners to provide the best of both worlds in infield conditioning.
How do I dry a wet field?
ANSWER: Our calcine clay acts as an effective drying agent for fields.
Sometimes, it’s best to lightly rake the area and let sunlight handle the drying, but when additional help is needed, we recommend using our calcine drying agent for puddles or wet spots.
