Abstract: An improved surface material is particularly suited for non-turf baseball field applications such as the pitcher's mound and base paths. The material generally comprises clay, wax, Foots oil and sand and has a putty-like consistency. Cleats can penetrate the material but are not likely to pull it out in clumps upon removal of the cleats. Method for forming the surface includes pre-coating the soil with Foots oil and then spraying an emulsified wax on a surface and mixing it with the surface material.

Abstract: An improved surface material is particularly suited for non-turf baseball field applications such as the pitcher's mound and base paths. The material generally comprises clay, wax, alkane fluid and sand and has a putty-like consistency. Cleats can penetrate the material but are not likely to pull it out in clumps upon removal of the cleats. Method for forming the surface includes spraying emulsified wax and/or alkane fluid on a surface and mixing it with the surface material.

Abstract: Composite mixtures are disclosed that include: (a) proppant, and (b) fibers, and/or (c) one or more of an organic binder, wax, gel, oil or polymeric binder. A method for improving the engineering properties of proppants includes adding one or more of the materials to the proppant, and mixing them for incorporation into a hydraulic fluid (such as water). Alternatively, the proppants, and/or fibers and/or other constituents may be added separately to a hydraulic fluid such as water.

Abstract: A playing surface according to the invention includes turf, sand, fibers and organic binder, wherein the playing surface may be harvested in rolls. A field including the playing surface may have a sand base layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are soil conditioning products comprising: (1) one or more of an oil, a polymeric binder, a wax and a gel, or (2) a carrier and one or more of an oil, a polymeric binder, a wax and a gel. The wax is preferably a soy wax and the oil is preferably a soy oil. The invention further includes surface materials comprising a soil and a soil conditioning product according to the invention. Other materials may be added to any of these soil conditioning products or surface materials. If a carrier is used the soil conditioning product may be added to soil as a granular material, rather than as a gel or liquid.

Abstract: Surfaces and methods for producing surfaces that may support an artificial playing surface are disclosed herein. An example of a surface according to the invention includes a first layer with soil and a plurality of fibers, and a second layer with soil and an organic binder. At least a portion of the second layer is above the first layer. Both layers should be water permeable to some degree. The organic binder may include material from plants of one or more of the plantago family (such as dried and ground plantago husk) and/or guar family.

Abstract: An improved surface material is particularly suited for non-turf baseball field applications such as the pitcher's mound and base paths. The material generally comprises clay, wax and sand and has a putty-like consistency. Cleats can penetrate the material but are not likely to pull it out in clumps upon removal of the cleats. Method for forming the surface includes spraying emulsified wax on a surface and mixing it with the surface material.

Abstract: An improved surface material is particularly suited for non-turf baseball field applications such as the pitcher's mound and base paths. The material generally comprises clay, wax and sand and has a putty-like consistency. Cleats can penetrate the material but are not likely to pull it out in clumps upon removal of the cleats. Method for forming the surface includes spraying emulsified wax on a surface and mixing it with the surface material.

Abstract: An improved surface material is particularly suited for non-turf baseball field applications such as the pitcher's mound and base paths. The material generally comprises clay, wax and sand and has a putty-like consistency. Cleats can penetrate the material but are not likely to pull it out in clumps upon removal of the cleats. Method for forming the surface includes spraying emulsified wax on a surface and mixing it with the surface material.

Abstract: A product for forming a stable resilient surface layer which comprises a particulate aggregate having particles of a plurality of sizes and including fiber strands and a selected amount of water-absorbent, water-activated adhesive particles having a swell volume when absorbing water in a range of 25% to 45%. When subjected to sufficient water the water-absorbent particles swell and bind the aggregate and fiber strands forming a high shear strength, flexible resilient layer.