Baseball fans probably thought about how nice it would be to have their zone for the game, namely a pitching mound. Then you do not need to look for a sports ground, because it already exists in your yard.
You may also like: 7 Best Portable Soccer Rebounders (Comparison & Reviews)
Here are the ways how to build a portable pitching mound:
Creating a pitching mound for baseball yourself
First of all, you will need special materials. Be prepared to shop and transport some important elements, without which it will be impossible to build your own sports ground.
So, you need to purchase the following materials:
- A plate for a pitcher
- Lawn spray paint
- A shovel
- A large nail
- A rope
- Specialty mounding clay or soil
- Pavers for pitcher’s plateau
- Mound slope board
There are 4 steps that you need to complete to create a pitting mound.
Step 1
First, take measurements of your backyard, where you decided to recreate a baseball field. Comparing these sizes with those that correspond to the desired size of the pitting area depends on how many people are going to play.
Step 2
When the measurements are finished, start creating layers for your new pitching mound. You will make layers from a special clay mixture.
Make sure that the clay will not too dry or too wet, otherwise, the layers will not lock together and the mound will not be able to be made.
Put a layer of one inch, then tamp it down and wait until it dries well and hardens. Each new layer should gradually decrease in diameter. Continue until you get the desired height.
You may also like: 12 Best Portable Badminton Sets
Step 3
Rubber must be placed on the last layer. Then wrap the resulting mound with boards so that it becomes more solid. Also, a wooden frame will help to get the perfect shape of the mound.
The frame should be removed when the plateau hardens. Then add clay to the places where voids could form.
Using a slope meter or other similar tool, you should measure the height of the mound. It must meet the standard. Level the surface again, otherwise, it will not comply with safety rules.
Step 4
Now your mound is ready. All you have to do is take care of her after a while. During rain or snow, it is important to cover the pitching mound with a cloth.
Also, over time, you may be able to add clay to the collapsed areas of the mound.
Portable pitching mound with wheels
The next way to create a portable pitching mound is that it can be easily moved from one place to another because it has wheels.
First, collect all the necessary materials. You will need wooden boards, nails, a special rubber covering and, of course, wheels. In addition, a hammer, a saw, and a special construction level will be needed to create a mound.
Now the complicated stage begins. You have to cut off parts of the wood – one larger, the other smaller. Make sizes based on who will play: child or adult, amateur or professional.
Draw the markings on the plywood to then cut the boards of the appropriate shape. Take care of your limbs. A saw is not a toy.
The sawed parts must be fixed together so that the slope is achieved. It should look like a small roll-up. Now you have the frame of the future pitching mound.
Now attach the rubber. Make sure that it is securely nailed to the frame, otherwise, injuries will not be avoided.
The last thing you will have to do is to set the wheels. This way you can easily move the pitching mound to the place you need.
You may also like: 13 Best Portable Neck Fans (Comparison & Reviews)
Portable pitching mound that can be built as a constructor
This type of portable pitching mound can be easily collected and stored in a garage or storage room. It won’t take up much space.
It is also possible to carry the without any problem pitching mound, take it with you to the park or the sports field.
You need wooden plywood, nails, a hammer, and rubber. On wooden plywood, markings should be made that will correspond to the size. Take measurements according to the size of the mound that you want to get.
Imagine that the drawing of a pitching mound is divided into three parts – this is what you have to do. You need to put together three pieces of the mound so that when these parts stand side by side, you get a pitching mound.
Now that you have received three independent parts of the pitching mound, it is necessary to cover them with a rubber covering. This way, when the player needs to throw the ball, he or she will not be able to slip and fall.
You may also like: 7 Best Portable Band Saws
To transport a new pitching mound, it is enough to just detach three parts of the mound and load them into the trunk.
F.A.Q. about the portable pitching mound
Can I leave my portable pitching mound outside?
In most cases, you can do that with no consequences. The manufacturers make its parts resistant to natural corrosion and weather conditions. And you can also use a tarp cover – it will help to prolong the lifetime of a mound.
Can I move my pitching mound?
If the pitching mound has wheels – then yes! In all other cases, it depends on the size of it and the quality of the construction. Keep in mind that the fragile or poorly constructed mound can just fall apart when you will try to relocate it.
Do you recommend a longer pitching mound?
Everything depends on the budget of your league. If your league is municipal, then you are fine with a small pitching mound. Pros though may want to go for a bigger sized models