Madison - Bowman Field
Park Ranger ph: 608-235-0449
The Park Ranger is helpful with things like opening the bathrooms if they are locked. The Park Ranger cannot provide field preparation or change the field status to open if the City has already decided to close it for the day. Ranger Hours: 9:30am – 10:00pm.
If a Ranger checks in and asks us to leave at 10:00pm, it is true that Madison parks generally close at that time, but we have an exception in our User Agreement to use the park until 11:00pm.
Rainout Notifications
If the City closes the field due to weather/field conditions, they will provide notification through the GymDandy field reservation service. These notifications are automatically forwarded to the Divisional VPs and the City makes every effort to notify by 8:30am (for weekend day games) or by 4:00pm (for weeknight games). If notification has not been received then the field should be considered open and the decision whether to play goes to the managers of the first game (i.e., due to developing weather, soggy turf, long grass, etc.). Do not use or rely on the old rainout line for these notifications.
MUSCO Lighting System ph: 877-347-3319
The lights are programmed to turn on at a scheduled time. This time is 15 minutes before sunset, and the time will automatically change throughout the year.
If it is particularly overcast or hazy, 15 minutes before sunset may not be sufficient. We have permission to energize the lights earlier by calling into MUSCO. Allow a few minutes for the lights to turn on and warm up. Also, if games are cancelled or finish early, the lights should be turned off by calling in. This helps manage our field fee rates.
The lights will power off at 11:00pm sharp. Do not start a new inning that would cause stoppage of play due to the lights turning off at the programmed time.
Policies/Restrictions:
Carry-ins and alcoholic beverages (cans) are permitted.
Preparation/Cleanup Instructions:
Before/during games:
Rakes, field drying compound, bases, and a key to the field are located inside the locked storage box behind home plate. The access code for this lock is 2438.
End of games:
Clean up the dugouts.
Ensure the field key is returned to the hook in the storage box.
Return bases to the storage box.
Replace the tarp on home plate and secure with stakes and weights.
Replace the tarp on the pitching mound and secure with stakes and weights.
If tires are provided for the mound tarp, the tires are intended to go under the tarp to provide better drainage away from the mound. They are not extra weights for the top of the tarp.
If a cart is provided, leave the cart within the field area.
Lock both gates and the storage box.
Coordinating with other users:
MMSD/West HS
MMSD has priority to the field for practices or games at pre-arranged times. In 2021, West HS is scheduled to use the field before us for a few Tue/Wed/Thur/Fri games in the April-June period. No additional field prep will be provided by the City on these dates. It remains our responsibility to clean up, return bases and tarps, and lock up at the end of our use.
Freddy’s Beisbol
Freddy’s Beisbol is another Madison-based adult baseball league and will be playing after us on Sundays starting at 1:00pm. Our field reservation will be slotted for 9:00am-1:00pm, and we will have to be complete by that end time unless you can work out permission from the Freddy’s league games that follow.
We are responsible for our keys and Freddy’s has their own key set. You may clean up, leave the field unlocked, and leave the field set up for them if you can connect directly with a manager or other league leader. If they are not there (we finish early, etc.), then we must put away bases, return tarps, and lock up as normal.
Freddy’s has made sacrifices for our schedule and vice versa. It is important to maintain a good relationship regarding the hand off.


SconnieBar at Flamingos

