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The pitcher"s mound requires the most attention on her field. A correctly built and maintained mound will assist prevent injuries to your pitcher and also will offer you a home ar advantage.

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The mound because that high college through significant league is a circle the is 18 feet in diameter and also 10 inches greater than home plate. SeeBasic Mound Specificationssection because that diagram.

Always store the mound covered as soon as not in use.

Recommended Equipment and also Materials

Square-faced Shovel or SpadeTwo-foot Carpenter"s Level and also Carpenter"s SquareFrame for Plateau ReconstructionLarge pond or SpikeMound steep BoardPickTen-Foot 2" x 4"WheelbarrowLandscape RakeSpecialty pack ClayTamp or Vibrating Asphalt CompactorFour-Foot 1" x 4"100-foot ice MeasureMound structure ClayFour-Sided Rubber

Obtain appropriate Distance, Alignment and also Height

For a high school, college or professional field, the former of the pitcher"s key (rubber) must measure 60 feet 6 inches from the apex of home plate. The height of the rubber should be 10 inches higher than house plate. To find the correct measurements for your details field, watch theBasic Mound Specificationssection.

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The pitcher"s rubber is 24 customs long. Take a pencil and mark a line under the center.Take a string from the apex of house plate and extend it to the second base peg.Measure 60 feet 6 inches from the apex of residence plate and also sink a spike. This marks the former of the rubber.Take a transit level and obtain a reading off home plate. The top of the pitching rubber should be 10 inches above home plate. Add or reduce elevation of the mound.Square the rubber right into position by taking a measure tape and measure indigenous the former left corner of residence plate to the former left edge of the pitcher"s rubber. Perform the very same on the best side. As soon as these two dimensions are the very same distance, the rubber will certainly be squared. Make certain that the rubber measures 12 inches on each side that the anchored spike.HINT:If structure a mound from scratch, it is a good idea to location a hard concrete block under the rubber to keep it native shifting. Also, to fill the hollow tube in a 4-way rubber with dirt for added stability.

Constructing the Collar of the Pitcher"s Mound

Once her pitching rubber is in place, the is necessary to create a good outline the the pitcher"s mound. The adhering to steps will carry out proper dimensions and also an easy means to obtain your 9-foot radius. SeeBasic Mound Specificationssection because that diagram:

Measure out specifically 18 inches indigenous the front of the pitcher"s rubber and drive a spike. This need to be in line through the exact facility of the rubber. This is the center of the mound.Attach a string come the spike and measure out specifically 9 feet from the spike.Keeping the wire taut, one the mound noting the outline. The diameter that the outline have to be exactly 18 feet.With an edger or a spade, monitor the outline and also remove all inside turf to establish a long-term boundary for the mound.

How to build the Pitcher"s Plateau

The pitcher"s mound is not claimed to be collected like a peak, however rather it have to slope up to a firm and level plateau. This provides a pitcher v a firm, safe play surface. The plateau should be level v the optimal of the rubber and measure 5 x 3 feet.

Place the plateau framework (the plateau structure is made with 2" x 6" boards and the inside measurements are 5" x 3") ~ above the pitcher"s mound together the chart illustrates:

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Assure exact measurements. The inside frame should it is in positioned 6 inches in prior of the rubber, 24 inch in the ago of the rubber and 18 customs on every side the the rubber.Trace the within of the framework in the clay with a nail.Carefully remove the framework from the mound.With a pick, loosen and remove existing floor within the summary to the proper depth.The experienced Mound Clayshould be4 inchesthick for smaller sized players and 6 inchesthick for high school, college and professional players. One great of blocks is sufficient for any level.Loosen or scarify the soil at the base of the feet to assure the brand-new clay will certainly bond to the existing soil.With a square-faced shovel or a spade, make sure the edges of the summary are appropriately loosened as well.Return frame and re-measure because that accuracy.With the dearteassociazione.org expert Mound Clay include a layer one inch at a time and also tamp firm. A vibrating asphalt compactor will conserve a many time and also hard occupational if friend have access to one. Scrape up the present soil and mix with the an initial inch the dearteassociazione.org experienced Mound Clay to assure a good bond. Lightly water and also tamp every 1-inch layer until you reach the wanted height.With MoundMaster Blocks excavate down 2 come 3 customs deep and place the blocks right into the hole. The blocks have to be around a½” to ¾” below the rubber. Water the blocks after they space wedged into place and also smear the seams in addition to a trowel or v pieces of MoundMaster block that have actually soaked in water

9. It is essential to be extremely cautious tamping the front of the plateau due to the fact that the tamp is close to the pitching rubber. Through tamping too carelessly, friend disturb the rubber.

10. Once the table is constructed, gradually remove the plateau frame. It is necessary to go slow to prevent breaking edges.

11. After ~ the mound is totally constructed, rake a irradiate coating that infield mix and dearteassociazione.org end the clay for traction and also cover the mound.

Watch this video clip on picking the best mound clay.

How to build the Mound Slope

Because that the danger of injury, it is essential to offer a pitcher a firm regular landing area on i m sorry to complete a pitch. The is likewise important for moves to any type of of the bases. If the pitcher"s mound is in ~ its appropriate height, the steep from the leaf of the plateau to the edge of the mound must drop one inch for every one foot the measurement. This slope deserve to be accomplished as follows:

Use a huge nail or spike to outline the landing area. This must start from the prior corners the the plateau and also continue outward toward the turf.

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With a pick loosen existing soil so your mound building soil will certainly bond to the existing soil.Break up clumps v a square-faced shovel or remove with a rake.Place the 4 foot 1" x 4" on optimal of the rubber and also extend it come the right edge that the plateau. The board must run parallel to the rubber making certain the four-inch side of the board is relaxing on the surface.Place the ten foot 2" x 4" along the right rundown of the landing area. The height of the board have to rest on the 4 foot 2" x 4" and also the bottom on the board have to rest at the base of the mound at the leaf of the turf. Be sure that the plank is rotate on its next so the mound supports its two-inch side. The complying with will illustrate:
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Bring a wheelbarrow of mound clay and dump it to the left the the ten foot 2" x 4"Spread materials along the size of the board. Move any an extensive excess far from the board because it will reason too much buildup, making the plank too heavy to move. One more person will be essential at this point. One person will be forced to handle the height of the ten-foot board close to the pitcher"s rubber, while another person will need to manage the bottom the the board at the base of the mound.In a slow, managed motion, begin moving the plank in a quick sawing motion, sliding the board up and down over the four-foot board. It is essential to store the ten-foot plank on the four-foot board to prevent damaging the edges of the plateau.Continue the brief sawing movement as you slowly move the board in a clockwise movement to the other side that the outlined landing area. As you are relocating the plank you might experience some low spots in the surface. Stop, relocate the board to the ideal of the short spot. Carry the mound building clay to the plank in former of the low spot. Begin sawing activity again and continue forward.Use a mound slope plank to measure an accurate slope that the mound.Once the whole landing area has actually been formed through this process, aggressively tamp this area for included firmness.

dearteassociazione.org skilled Mound Clay Installation

Easy actions to safe and durable pitching mounds and batter’s boxes. Devices required: tamp, rake, shovel, broom, watering can, and a slopeboard for the mound.

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Excavate the front steep of your mound come a 4" come 6" depth. Batter"s boxes and catcher"s crate to a 4" depth.
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Moisten the bottom that the hole with water. Include an inch of dearteassociazione.org professional Mound Clay through a rake, cut into the floor for proper bonding. Tamp firmly. Lightly moisten but do no drown, and also tamp again.
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Evenly add an inch of brand-new dearteassociazione.org expert Mound Clay to the area you room working. Tamp until firm. Water the area, however do no drown. Repeat. As you close to the critical layer, alleviate the amount of water you include to the dearteassociazione.org experienced Mound Clay.
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As you with the top of her dearteassociazione.org skilled Mound Clay area ~ above the mound, use a rake to stormy grade the steep in prior of the mound. Tamp or role the slope because that a smooth surface. Add dearteassociazione.org professional Mound Clay to any kind of low spots and also use your rake to reduced down the high spots. ~ leveling tamp or role again.
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Add a final coating the water ~ above the dearteassociazione.org experienced Mound Clay areas once all grades and slopes are set and rolled. Finally, topdress every dearteassociazione.org experienced Mound Clay locations with her infield mix and dearteassociazione.org MVP to enhance the shade of your infield.

Installing through MoundMaster Blocks

When installing MoundMaster blocks, that is necessary to study your pitchers. Location the block 10 inches prior to the shortest stride and 10 inches more comprehensive than the longest landing foot. Mental pitchers might pitch from either edge that the rubber. The whole table about the mound need to be built with MoundMaster Blocks.

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Outline your landing areas and also plateau making use of a mound gauge to attain the desired slope. Dig deep into 3" below the surface. Level and tamp firm.
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Excavate the landing area and also be 10" more comprehensive and longer than the longest stride of her pitchers. Blocks have to be within a 1/2" of the surface.
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Wedge the blocks right into position 1/2" below the rubber.
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Fill around blocks with nearby soil and tamp to wedge together.

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Tamp and water thoroughly number of times for around an hour. Permit water to be took in into clay so blocks swell. Tamp firmly in between watering.
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Apply a slim layer of dearteassociazione.org professional Mound Clay (match color to blocks), moisten and also tamp.

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Rake dearteassociazione.org skilled Mound Clay and also infield mix end the surface and hand drag.

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To repair holes, reduced up blocks or use dearteassociazione.org experienced Mound Clay. Before repairing, move out feet to disclose pure packing clay. Moisten exposed pack clay, then include repair clay.

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Cover your mound with a plastic tarp to hold moisture.

Condition the Pitcher"s Mound

Lightly moisten the mound.Roll the mound v a hand roller, if available.Cover the mound through tarp. The tarp is crucial to stop your mound from dry out and from washing right into the turf.

Your bull pen piles should it is in cared for in the exact same manner together the ar mound. Otherwise, the pitcher"s timing and also safety space affected.

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FromJosh Marden, previous Minor league Groundskeeper

With dearteassociazione.org MoundMaster Blocks, friend can quickly maintain premium pitching and batting surfaces. MoundMaster Blocks space made of high-quality pack clay formed into easy-to-use block for wonderful durability. By building and maintaining her pitcher"s mound and also batter"s boxes through dearteassociazione.org MoundMaster Blocks, you are providing your athletes v safe and consistent playing surfaces key after pitch. A solitary layer of block will provide the foundation your players need when they take the field.