How important is the pitcher’s mound in the whole scheme of baseball? Well, on this little stage, the pitcher can either win or lose the game.If you are in charge of building the pitcher’s mound for your baseball team this season! Here are a few things to keep in mind, and learn from baseball history.

Historical Baseball mound dimensions

A regulation pitcher’s mound is an 18 foot (5.5 m) circle, its center, 59 feet away from the back of the home plate. Commonly called the ‘pitching rubber’, the pitcher’s plate should be 18 inches (45.7 cm) behind dead center of the mound. The mound should start to slope downwards towards home plate 6 inches (15.2 cm) in front of the pitching rubber.

The top of the mound should not be more than 10 inches higher than the surface level of the home plate. However, during different times of baseball history, the mound had been much higher. In fact, the height
limit from 1903 to 1968 was set at 15 inches though some teams are reputed to have higher. Baseball teams whose strength point lies in pitching are believed to have tallest mounds in the major league baseball.

Mound Construction

Now that we’ve covered the dimensions, the next step is construction. There are several approaches one can take towards the actual creation of a pitcher’s mound. One of the simplest ways is to start by building up the highest point of the mound or the plateau first. Then, establish the slope in front of the pitcher’s plate towards home plate until you reach ground level. Keep in mind the dimensions mentioned above when measuring towards home plate.

After the plateau has been set up, install the pitching rubber. A standard pitcher’s rubber is 24 inches by 6 inches. You can use a carpenter’s level to make sure the rubber is stays flat while it is being installed. Use moist clay and tamp the area around the pitching rubber using your hands or a tool. Keeping the mound soils moist but not sticky during construction is essential.

Build the mound inch by inch from the ground up. Use a heavy roller to tamp on the material so that the mound is firm. Keep the mound packed, layer by layer until you reach the correct dimensions for a regular pitchers mound. Maintenance is just as important as construction. When not in use, remember to cover the clay with plastic or tarp.

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H&K Sports Fields has a proprietary baseball field playing service product Magic Mix, which is used on the baseball fields to make the ultimate playing surface. View Magic Mix FAQ. Magic Mix is the newest material available for softball and baseball fields. Magic Mix allows for a great, safe playing surface. The material is by far the most cost cutting, labor saving material available today.

Magic Mix has a deep, rich color: gives a better baseball playing surface in all weather conditions: works with soil conditioner and drying agents to make the best drying condition possible after rain: compacts to give great footing, but does not over compact to make a rock hard surface: plays better than any conditioned clay surface: is easily applied by hand or top dresser:cost effective due to the porous nature of the material, eliminating the need for costly maintenance upkeep: creates more consistent baseball playing surface, smooth and soft – makes the balls bounce straight, no more pot holes or sharp stones to worry about.

Magic Mix is a fine baseball field construction material which can be used on all infield skinned areas for baseball or softball fields, and it can also be used on pitching mounds, bull pen areas, and warning tracks.

What is the main reason to use H&K Magic Mix during baseball field construction?

Magic Mix surface playing material, also known as top dressing, has many performance enhancing qualities for baseball fields, but the most important is assisting in surface drainage that allows baseball games to be played as soon as precipitation stops. Because Magic Mix does not get muddy or slippery games can be played as scheduled. Drying materials such as calcified clay are not needed to soak up water.

What is H&K Magic Mix baseball playing surface made of?

Magic Mix primary make-up is pulverized granite proprietary manufactured to exact gradation standards.

How often do I have to replace H&K Magic Mix?

If proper mat dragging and other basic field maintenance is followed Magic Mix should last up to five (5) years on your baseball field before replacement is necessary.

How deep, in baseball fields, is H&K Magic Mix installed?

We recommend ¼” to 3/8” deep. Magic Mix is a surface playing material; also know as a top dressing material. The intent of Magic Mix is to cover the skinned area of the baseball infield with a thin layer of performance enhancing material.

What maintenance is required after baseball games?

Very little, the only maintenance that we recommend is mat dragging with a steel mat after baseball field construction.
“We have tried other top dressing materials and found that some stain uniforms.”

Does H&K Magic Mix stain uniforms?

No, because H&K Magic Mix does not contain any clay or silt materials to stick to uniforms.

Does H&K Magic Mix hurt when you slide?

No, Magic Mix is made through a pulverizing process that eliminates any sharp edges. In addition, the gradation of Magic Mix is small enough that even young players with improper sliding techniques can feel confident in taking that extra base.

Does H&K Magic Mix blow away?

No. Magic Mix main ingredient is granite which is very hard and dense. Unlike calcified clays or diatomaceous earth Magic Mix is heavy and will not blow off baseball fields.

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H&K Sports Fields is a full service baseball field construction, design and planning company. We start with an exploration of your needs and conditions. We provide a detailed estimate of what it will take to make your field the best it can be using the best materials available today, including our patented Magic Mix playing surface material. And lead you through economic impact, corporate sponsorship, grants & more.

From machinery to man power to strategy – our techniques and dedicated team will design and develop a site specific plan for your athletic fields and financial needs.

Construction & renovation services:

Field Design
Single or Multi-Field Construction
Field Renovation
Laser and GPS Grading
Turf Installation & Repair
Magic Mix™ infield top dressing
Magic Mix™ warning track material
Whole Field Problem Solving
Custom Maintenance & Management Programs

Feasibility Analysis & Finance & Consulting services:

Feasibility Analysis
Economic Impact
Business Plan
Cost Estimate
Completion of due diligence checklist
Preliminary Design & Development
3 Dimensional Color Rendering
Corporate Sponsorship
Fund Raising
Grant writing
Bonding

Visit our Design, Construction, Renovation, Maintenance, Feasibility, Finance, Sponsorship & Consulting pages for more specific information, and Get your FREE Quote today.

Listed below are some of the many “Magic” baseball fields H&K has done since 1996.

Wisconsin

Racine Erickson Youth Sports
Racine – Horlick High School
Racine – Humbult Park
Racine Parks & Recreation
Random Lake School District
Ripon – Barlow Park, Baseball Field
Ripon – Murray Park, Baseball Field
Sevastopol Town Park
Shawano City Park
Sheboygan – Town of
Stevens Point – Bukolt Park
Stevens Point – Goerke Park
Stevens Point – Iverson Park
Stockbridge Youth Sports
Strum, Baseball Field
Sturgeon Bay – Memorial Park
Sturgeon Bay – Sunset Park
Suamico – Edelwild Community Park
Thiensville – Rotary Park
Tomah High School, Baseball Field
Twin Lakes – Powers Lake
Twin Lakes – Randall School
Twin Lakes – West Side Park
Waupaca Parks & Recreation
West Bend
Wauwatosa – Hart Park
Whitewater Parks & Recreation
Whitewater University
Winneconne High School
Village of Allouez – Riverview Park, Baseball Field
Appleton – Legion/Don Hawkins Baseball Field
Appleton – East High School, Baseball Field
Appleton – Hoover Park, Baseball Field
Appleton – Memorial Park, Baseball Field
Appleton – Nienhaus Sports Complex
Appleton ­­– North High School, Baseball Field
Appleton ­– USA Youth Sports, Baseball Field
Appleton – Xavier High School, Baseball Field
Beaver Dam High School
Berlin School District
Berlin – Riverside Park
Bruce Park
Burlington – Beaumont Baseball Field
Chilton High School
Chilton Middle School
Cumberland – Buckner Sports Complex
Delavan Parks & Recreation
Denmark
Denmark High School
De Pere High School
De Pere – St. Norbert College
West De Pere High School
Edgerton High School, Baseball Field
Elkhart Lake
Elkhorn High School
Fish Creek – Gibraltar High School, Baseball Field
Fond du Lac – Goodrich High School
Fond du Lac Youth Baseball
Forestville – Kolberg Athletic Club
Franklin Little League
Geona City Youth Sports
Gillett High School, Baseball Field
Grafton Youth Sports
Grand Chute – Carterwoods
Grand Chute – Patriot Park
Grand Chute – Plamann Park
Green Bay – Bayport High School
Green Bay – Johannes Park
Green Bay – N.E.W. High School
Green Bay – Notre Dame High School
Green Bay – Southwest High School
Hilbert
Hortonville – Otto Miller Park
Kaukauna High School
Kaukauna – Horseshoe Park
Kaukauna – Riverside Park
Kaukauna – Tanner School
Keshena – Menominee Indian Schools
Kiel High School, Baseball Field
Kimberly High School
Kimberly – Sunset Park

Ladysmith High School
Ladysmith – Mount Senario College
Lake Geneva High School
Little Chute – Doyle Park
Little Chute – Legion Park
Little Chute – Sunny Dale Park
Luxemburg – Casco High School
Marinette Parks & Recreation
Marinette – Charles Pedersen Field
Markesan High School
Menasha Youth Sports
Menasha – Jefferson Park
Menasha – Koslo Park
Mequon
Mequon – Rennicke Baseball Field
Milton – Schillberg Baseball Field
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee – Cardinal Stritch Univ.
Milwaukee County Parks
Milwaukee Public Schools
Mt. Pleasant
Necedah High School
Neenah High School
Nekoosa High School
New Holstein High School
New London Parks & Recreation
Oconomowoc Parks & Recreation
Oconomowoc – Roosevelt Park
Oconto High School
Omro High School
Omro Middle School
Oshkosh – Carl Traeger School
Oshkosh – Menominee Park
Oshkosh – North High School
Oshkosh Parks & Recreation
Oshkosh – Reetz Softball Complex
Oshkosh – Spanbauer Field
Osseo
Pewaukee Parks & Recreation
Plainfield – Tri County High School
Plover
Prairie du Chien, Baseball Field

Illinois

Arlington Heights Youth Sports
Bartlett High School
Carol Stream ­– Glenbard North High School
DeKalb High School
Lombard ­– Glenbard East High School
Mundelein – Carmel High School
Naperville – North Central College
Niles – Notre Dame High School
Olympia Fields – Rich Central High School
Oswego High School
River Grove – Triton College
Roselle – Lake Park High School
Sail Charles High School
Streamwood High School
Village of Riverside – Harrington Park South
Village of Riverside ­– Indian Gardens Park
Village of Riverside – Riverside Little League
Wheaton American Legion
Wheaton College, Baseball Field

Indiana

Valparaiso – Boone Grove High School
Valparaiso University

Iowa

Cedar Rapids ­– Kennedy High School
Cedar Rapids – Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids ­– Xavier High School
Dubuque – Hempstead High School
Dubuque – Senior High School
Dubuque University
Iowa City West High School
Iowa City – University of Iowa
Marion – Linn-Mar High School
Marshalltown High School
Muscatine – Eastern Iowa Community College
Solon High School
Waterloo – Municipal Stadium
Waterloo – West High School

Michigan

Escanaba ­– Al Ness Field
Escanaba Recreation Department
Mackinaw City ­– Village of
Marquette – City of

Minnesota

Dundas – Dukes Baseball Field
Northfield – Carlton College
Northfield – St. Olaf College
Wayzata – Bennett Family Park
Winona High School

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