Various embodiments for a panel that may be combined with other similar panels to form a padding layer of an athletic field, or other surface, are disclosed. The panel for use in a padding layer of a panel system includes a top side having a center configured to support a top layer, the top side having a surface that slopes downwards from the center of the top side to edges of the panel, where the top side comprises top-side projections having a height varied from other ones of the top-side projections. The panel includes a bottom side having a plurality of bottom-side projections and a drainage hole that fluidly couples top-side projections with bottom-side projections.