How To Build A Baseball Mound

When it comes to constructing a baseball field, it is imperative to learn how to build a baseball mound correctly. If the mound is too low, the pitch will come in flat giving an advantage to the hitter. If the mound is too high, then the pitch will be coming in at a severe angle giving an advantage to the pitcher. Here is how to build a baseball mound in your very own back yard.

Supplies:

• 4000 lbs. of sand
• 4000 lbs. of clay
• 2000 lbs. of silt
• Industrial mixer
• Tape measure
• Shovel
• Dirt packer
• Rake
• String
• Stakes
• Pitching plate
• Home plate

1. Find the location of the pitching plate. In order to build a baseball mound, you have to get the dimensions correct. Using your tape measure, set the back of home plate (the tip of the triangle) exactly 60 feet 6 inches from the location where the pitching plate will be located.
2. Find the diameter of the pitching mound area. To build a baseball mound it is important that the pitching mound area is the right size so that the slope toward home plate can be created properly. From the center of the pitcher’s plate measure out nine feet. to the north, south, east and west. This will create a pitching mound area with an eighteen foot diameter. Mark off these locations roughly.
3. Place stakes in the ground. Form an outline of the pitching mound area by staking off the eighteen foot diameter around the pitcher’s mound.
4. Tie the stakes off with string. Loosely tie string around each stake, connecting one stake to the next. This will give a visual representation of the entire mound.
5. Mix the sand, clay and dirt. For proper drainage, the mound should be made of 40 percent sand, 40 percent clay and 20 percent silt. Using the industrial mixer, begin to shovel in the contents according to this mixing schedule. A proper mound will take about 1000 lbs. of sand, clay and silt to build it from an entirely flat surface.
6. Build a baseball mound from the ground up. Shovel dirt into the mound area taking great care to place more dirt in the middle, then the sides. Also use the dirt packer to pack the dirt tightly so that the mound is quite firm. As this process occurs the mound will slowly start to take shape.
7. Measure the height of the baseball mound. As you continue to build the mound, keep in mind that the proper height of a baseball mound is ten inches. That means the very center of the mound, where the pitching plate will rest, is exactly ten inches above the playing field. Adjust this height using the rake and dirt packer until the proper height is reached.
8. Create the slope of the mound. A you build a baseball mound, keep in mind that there needs to be a gentle gradual slope from the pitcher’s plate down toward home plate. Every foot toward home plate, the mound should drop about an inch in height. Using the rake and dirt packer will help achieve this goal.
9. Remove the stakes and string. Now that the mound has take shape, it is just about ready for game play. Remove the stakes, and string which outlined the mound.
10. Install the pitcher’s plate. The last step to build a baseball mound is to install the pitcher’s plate. After double checking the measurements from above, install the pitching plate in the center of the mound by digging a small rectangle hole and inserting the plate.
11. Play ball! Now that you have learned how to build a baseball mound it is ready for use.