Padding layer for athletic field

A method, comprising:

• providing a pad for use in a padding layer of a panel system, the pad comprising:
• a top surface and a bottom surface;
• a plurality of top-side projections positioned on the top surface of the pad;
• a plurality of bottom-side projections positioned on the bottom surface of the pad;
• a plurality of water channels positioned on the bottom surface of the pad defined as a recessed area between individual ones of the plurality of bottom-side projections;
• a drainage hole positioned in at least one of the plurality of bottom-side projections such that the drainage hole does not connect with any of the plurality of water channels on the bottom surface of the pad,
• wherein the drainage hole intersects at least one of the plurality of top-side projections with the at least one of the plurality of bottom-side projections, thereby permitting water to flow from the at least one of the plurality of top-side projections to the at least one of the plurality of bottom-side projections,
• wherein the drainage hole is at least partially coupled to projection channels on the at least one of the plurality of bottom-side projections, the projection channels acting as a water vacuum to facilitate air circulation and vertical water evacuation relative to the drainage hole;
• and
• a female locking element having a recess;
• and
• a second pad substantially similar to the first pad, comprising a male locking element configured to form a dove-tail connection with the female locking element of the first pad through an interference fit when the male locking element is positioned in the recess.