The grounds crew made final preparations at Grovehill Ballpark before the first Herts Spring League games this weekend.
Members of the Dacorum Borough Council Sports Team marked the lines at both diamonds, while five members of Herts Baseball Club grounds crew worked on the infield clay areas of both diamonds topping-up and smoothing critical areas.
When the work was completed the field was in playable condition with no standing water.
It must be noted that the playing surface is soft and to ensure that the diamonds stay in top playing condition over the 3 weekends and 36 games of the Herts Spring League, the grounds crew has set some strict conditions on the use of the diamonds for pre-game drills.
Each team will be allowed up to a maximum of 10 minutes on the diamond for their infield/outfield drills before their first game of the day. At any other time, teams will have to make use of playing areas adjacent to the baseball diamonds for their pre-game drills. No batting practice will be allowed on the diamonds. Separate areas with L-screens have been designated for pre-game batting practice during the HSL.
All eyes are now on the skies and the rain radar. The diamonds are in good condition today and will be able to absorb some extra rain, but any heavier rain over the next 36 hours or on the day of the games could make the fields unplayable.
The weather forecast indicates that it will be very cold but Hertfordshire may miss the heavy rain and snow. The HSL organisers have indicated that it is too early to make any conclusions at this stage. We will keep you updated over the next 36 hours.