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If you run the facilities department at a new community baseball field, one of your top priorities will be to ensure that you have the equipment to maintain the field once it's built. A baseball field is a considerable investment, so you can't let it fall into a state of disrepair. A tractor will be essential for a variety of maintenance tasks, as will a number of different attachments that you can use on the field. Here are some essential tractor attachments for properly maintaining a baseball field.

1. Aerator

Aerating grass is essential for keeping it healthy. This process involves poking small holes into the grass to allow water — and fertilizing nutrients if you're applying them — to soak into the earth and make the roots of the grass healthy. While you can buy a hand aerator, using it on a field the size of a baseball field would simply require too much time. Instead, look for an aerator attachment that you can mount to your tractor and tow. These attachments are easy to adjust so that you'll have the depth of holes you want.

2. Rear Blade

A rear blade attachment is just as it sounds — it consists of a heavy blade that you pull behind the tractor. This isn't an attachment that you'll use very frequently in maintaining the baseball field, but it's essential. Over time, the infield can become uneven. The areas along the base paths will be compacted so that they're lower than the other parts of the infield. An occasional grading with this attachment will completely level out the dirt. This will not only be important for giving it a professional look, but its even nature will also be safer for players to use.

3. Landscaping Rake

A landscaping rake is a lighter attachment that you pull behind the tractor. Whereas a rear blade digs into the dirt and allows you to truly grade the area, a landscaping rake simply rides across the surface of the earth. This tractor attachment is valuable because it gives the dirt infield of the baseball field a uniform appearance. Whereas you might only use the rear blade on occasion, you'll use the landscaping rake regularly. On a weekend with a tournament, you might have someone drag this attachment around the infield between every couple of games. Contact a local tractor equipment retailer to learn more about the value that these attachments can provide in this application.