We've received several emails over the last six months concerning adding temporary marking lines to existing synthetic turf fields.

For example here's the question from Scott, "One question I have about synthetic fields. Say you have a football-lined synthetic field and you want to run three youth soccer fields cross-ways once a week. Is there any way to mark the field quickly (some type of tape, chalk, paint) and on a temporary basis (play football the next day)?"

I could offer several options to help him, yet he gave me some very performance oriented statements, "mark quickly", "temporary basis", and "next day".

The "next day" requirement is critical to the solution set as well as how much manpower and equipment you have on hand to do the removal process.

Here's what Tru Mark Athletic Field Marker suggests as a course of action.

Given your requirements my proposed solution would be to use aerosol chalk. It goes down line aerosol paint but after it dries it performs like traditional powdered chalk (marble dust or calcium carbonate). You can use a typical floor and sidewalk brush to remove the line. You may want to spray it down with water, especially if you are doing this every week over a season.

You can use the bulk or aerosol removable/temporary paint but this requires more manual labor and/or mechanical equipment along with a cleaning solution to remove the the painted
temporary line. TrailBlazer Rally Day would be the bulk latex paint solution we would recommend. While the StripeX would be the aerosol removable paint solution along with their respective removal agents (TrailBlazer Trail Wash and StripeX Removal Agent).

Another possibility is using a temporary, reusable field lining system such as Port-a-Field by CS Platinum Sport Products and Tru Mark's Sand Bag product line for anchoring the corners.

We hope this helps.

Labels: Services, Turf _Tips

We continue to receive positive feedback on our rugby field layout tool.

The original tool was built using the MS Excel spreadsheet formulas and focused on starting with a centerline through the center of the two goals and the center of the field.

The latest update comes from Norm Paquette of Dracut, Massachusetts who has converted the formulas to MS Excel macros, VBScripting and improved the visual layout of the tool. As long as you enable macros as an option within the security settings of the spreadsheet you should experience a very handy and time saving tool.

Norm has added some tips on the progression for staking out the pitch as well as stringing the intersections for painting. In addition he has added a formula for calculating the amount of aerosol and diluted bulk latex paint needed for the particular sized field. The paint usage formula calculates the linear feet and uses 300 linear feet per aerosol can and 400 linear feet per diluted gallon of bulk latex paint.

Here are a couple more improvements that Norm has incorporated since his update to the soccer field layout tool:

1) Allows customer to use different input measurements based on meters, yards, or feet. Output is always in feet and inches.

2) Updated the field display for quicker orientation.

Please send us an email at TruMarkAthletic@gmail.com and we'll gladly send a link so you can download this latest upgraded rugby field layout tool to your desktop (we will not share your email address!).

Learn more about rugby field dimensions at International Rugby Board, Tru Mark Athletic Field Marker Links and Tru Mark Athletic Field Marker FAQ.

Labels: Services, Turf _Tips

We continue to receive positive feedback on our Tru Mark lacrosse field layout tool.

The original tool was built using the MS Excel spreadsheet formulas and focused on starting with a centerline through the center of the two goals and the center of the field.

The latest update comes from Norm Paquette of Dracut, Massachusetts who has converted the formulas to MS Excel macros, VBScripting and improved the visual layout of the tool. As long as you enable macros as an option within the security settings of the spreadsheet you should experience a very handy and time saving tool.

In addition, Norm has created separate layout tools for Men’s and Women’s play.

Norm has added some tips on the progression for staking out the field as well as stringing the intersections for painting. In addition he has added a formula for calculating the amount of aerosol and diluted bulk latex paint needed for the particular sized field. The paint usage formula calculates the linear feet and uses 300 linear feet per aerosol can and 400 linear feet per diluted gallon of bulk latex paint.

Here are a couple more improvements that Norm has incorporated since his update to the soccer field layout tool:

1) Allows customer to use different input measurements based on meters, yards, or feet. Output is always in feet and inches.

2) Updated the field display for quicker orientation.

3) Included website links to governing bodies.

Please send us an email at TruMarkAthletic@gmail.com and we'll gladly send a link so you can download this latest upgraded lacrosse field layout tool to your desktop (we will not share your email address!).

Learn more about lacrosse field dimensions, NCAA Men’s Lacrosse sanctioning body and US Lacrosse Women’s sanctioning body at Tru Mark Athletic Field Marker Links and Tru Mark Athletic Field Marker FAQ.

Labels: Services, Turf _Tips

Looking for some great entertainment and seeing in person the up and coming stand-up comedians. Come help commemorate one of the greatest comedians, Johnny Carson, in his home town for a week long event, June 16-22, 2008. Norfolk, Nebraska is proud to Present: The Great American Comedy Festival!

Also included in the week long event is the Great American Comedy Youth Camp, June 15 - 21, 2008.

Read what the Norfolk Daily News reported, 'Brightest minds in comedy' chosen for festival, Plenty to see, do during festival, A look at who'll be in Norfolk, 'Phenomenal' lineup for comedy festival, Some of the nation's top comedians coming to Norfolk on this spectacular event.

Learn about other exciting activities and changes taking place in Northeast Nebraska by visiting the Norfolk Area Recruiters, Visioning 2026 Project, NorthFork River Development Project, and the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce.

Labels: Services, Trends

Please post your field marking services through the comment section of this blog. We will introduce your posting to our Links web page.

We have had numerous web site visitors call or email requesting contact information on field marking services in their area.

Please add your appropriate contact information to include name, address, telephone numbers, FAX, email, and web site address.

Are you considering adding field marking operations to your business operations? We can help with how to prepare for a bidding process when it comes to amount of time to stake a field, string, and then paint a sports field, as well as the equipment and paint supplies needed. Send us an email: trumarkafm@eselling4u.com.

Please post your guidelines and tips how to save time and supplies for field marking operations.

Labels: Services