Cricket Pitchcare Classifieds
Is there such a thing as a winter shutdown for Cricket Groundsmen?
around the corner and you have all that shopping to do!
You may want to send the machine away for a
service and/or regrind. Whilst your machines are away, organise your workshop so that, on their return, they can be stored out of harm's way. When it comes to machine maintenance and
servicing, it is always sensible to employ a qualified person. Too many volunteer groundsmen start jobs and find them either too complex, they haven't got the spare parts, or perhaps even the time to complete the job; so end up having to spend more money having their machines repaired by professionals; and all because they were trying to save themselves a few pounds. As always, be sure to carry out a risk
assessment on any work being carried out whilst working on your own. Prevention is better than a cure. If you use a methodical and practical approach to your winter tasks then, come the start of next season, you will be able to enjoy the fruits of your labour and give the players confidence in your ability to manage the cricket ground by providing a safe playing surface and an enjoyable environment.
As the sun sets on another season of action packed cricket, what does winter hold in store for the cricket groundsman?
One may forgive the merry band of part time groundsmen and volunteers, when the final ball is bowled, confining themselves to putting their feet up for the winter until it is time to get out the mower and start all over again. Whilst this may be the case for some, for the majority, it does not mean that there is nothing to be getting on with.
There are lots of different tasks during winter ‘closedown’ to be carried out in order for the ground to be ready and at its best for the start of the new season. Machinery maintenance, sight screens, covers, boundary ropes and, of course, the square and outfield, all have to be looked after.
The list can be daunting, even for the most
experienced groundsmen, so preparation for closedown is important. Good housekeeping can save a lot of time and money on repairs and replacement, if consideration is given to the importance of its use. Where should you start? Find the time to sit down and write out a list of priority tasks and how you are going to approach them … or you can just simply shove everything into your shed, lock the door and head home for the next six months! The conscientious ones though will be out there
organising, delegating and getting on with the job. Some of the tasks may be done in a day or two, perhap when there are a few volunteers to help but, generally speaking, when working alone, you will need to plan yourself to achieve your objectives, especially when the onset of winter really bites. It goes without saying that your square and outfield will require a modicum of winter maintenance from time to time and you should set aside time to attend to these tasks as weather permits. Your programme of work on the ground should
always be of the upmost importance as you may only get one chance to complete it. Your winter maintenance programme will be your working module, which would include aerating, mowing and fertilising. Organise your work into monthly schedules
where practicable; for instance, during October/November, the covers would need to be stripped down properly, stored, wheels greased and covered over with tarpaulin to protect from the winter weather. It would be far better to try and get some of the
major tasks completed before the end of October/mid-November as the weather could turn at any time. Remember, Christmas is only just
This article is from the Pitchcare archive and was originally part of a longer feature written by Bob Stretton, Head Groundsman at Massey Ferguson Sports Club
Here is a list of tasks, in no particular order, that should be undertaken in the close season
• Sight screens stored away ready for painting. Wheels removed, if practicable, and stored in a safe place away from prevailing winds
• Covers stored in a safe place and all hoses and plastic sheeting removed. Spray wheels with lubricant to stop rusting. Cover with tarpaulins to protect from weather
• Flat sheeting and covers stored in a dry place (under the covers perhaps?)
• Boundary rope stored in a dry place • Workshop/shed cleaned and tidied
• Benches and chairs (if not being used) stored in a dry place ready for painting in the spring
• Score box/boards and numbers cleaned, boxed up and stored away
• Irrigation equipment systems closed down, mobile sprinkler and hoses wound and stored on trolleys so pipes don’t crack
• Nets lifted or stored away, where possible
• Clean and wash down all machines. Set aside those that require servicing
• Managing and maintenance of the square and outfield: Aeration, fertilising, mowing, divoting, harrowing and dragbrushing
• Erecting and removal of ropes and fencing around the square
• Collating new fixtures, organising new season’s workload for the square
• Investigating financial support, such as grants, sponsorships or corporate hospitality
146 I PC AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156