Play Ball!

—As told to Amy Barrett

H&K Sportsfields

“I grew up playing baseball and coached my kids through Little League. I knew the previous owner of this business-he coached a team I competed against when I was a kid. I ran into him in 2003 at one of my son’s games and he was talking about getting out of the business. This was an opportunity to branch out into an area I have a passion for. There’s a real nostalgia about baseball. And there’s a whole new group of people who have a passion for the game. It’s fun to see Little Leaguers come out to see a field after we’ve renovated it, with tears in their eyes, saying, ‘We get to play on this field?’”

WHO: Mike Parent
WHAT: Designs, constructs, and renovates baseball fields
WHERE: Egg Harbor, Wis.
EMPLOYEES: 5
HOW HE DID IT: Bought the business from an acquaintance after working in his family’s excavation company
COST OF A NEW LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL FIELD: $150,000

Bookmark to:

Slow Pitch Softball Field Diagram

Below is a diagram of a slow pitch softball field. Download the slow pitch softball field diagram. The layout is provided to give you an idea of measurements and layout that maybe used for your field. Foul line and other measurements can change to area designated for softball field layout etc. Fill out our Free Quote form for more information.


(Click image to open in another window, click again for higher resolution)

Fast Pitch Softball Field Diagram

Below is a diagram of a fast pitch softball field. Download the fast pitch softball field diagram now. The layout is provided to give you an idea of measurments and layout that maybe used for your field. Fill out our Free Quote form for more information.

(Click image to open in another window, click again for higher resolution)

Bookmark to:

Baseball Field Dimensions, Diagrams, Layouts, Measurements

Here is a resource of Baseball & Softball Field dimensions for you to download. Click on the link below to download .pdf. High resolution printing for planning purposes. All files about 150 kb. Use our Free Quote form to start the free consultation process.

High School & College Baseball Field Dimensions & Diagram (pdf 120 kb)

Little League Baseball Field Dimensions & Diagram (pdf 108 kb)

Shetland League Baseball Field Dimensions & Diagram (pdf 105 kb)

Pinto League Baseball Field Dimensions & Diagram (pdf 105 kb)

Mustang League Baseball Field Dimensions & Diagram (pdf 105 kb)

Bronco League Baseball Field Dimensions & Diagram (pdf 108 kb)

Pony League Baseball Field Dimensions & Diagram (pdf 105 kb)

Colt League Baseball Field Dimensions & Diagram (pdf 107 kb)

Softball Field Dimensions, diagram, layouts, measurements

Slow Pitch Softball Field Dimensions & Diagram (pdf 96 kb)

Fast Pitch Softball Field Dimensions & Diagram (pdf 96 kb)

Baseball and Softball field backstop measurements

Baseball and Softball backstop diagrams and measurements (pdf 208 kb)

Mapping It Out: A Baseball Field’s Dimensions

Is it the Babe Ruths, the raging competition or the beautiful weather that brings you to the field every spring? All three deserve some credit. But, there wouldn’t be a game to watch without a playing field. Sometimes the hard work and behind the scenes makeup gets overlooked.

In 1845, Alexander Cartwright and Daniel Adams, the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club leaders, devised the first set of rules for the game that has had fans everywhere buying “peanuts and crackerjacks” and rooting.

Today, the field dimensions may have changed a little, but the field they play on is still a diamond. Think, before the possibility of homeruns exists; the field must be created using specific dimensions. However, professional baseball fields are built using a different set of dimensions than the little leagues.

Professional Field Dimensions

High school, college and professional teams use the professional field dimensions for everything from the pitchers mound to the catchers box. Although the outfield varies in size, the infield measurements are the identical: Free Download of high school, college baseball field dimensions

The Baseball Diamond
Here you can find the infield dimensions for regulation baseball and description of outfield. Outfields are not uniform throughout.

• Infield is a 90-foot square
• Outfield is the space between the two foul poles/lines

Home Plate
The dimensions and the regulations are given for distances between home and the bases, and the foul lines in the outfield.

• A 17 x 17 inch plate that sets at the center of a 26-foot diameter, making up the home plate area. (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/EP/EP09200.pdf ) From here, players must cover a 90-foot sprint to reach each consecutive base.
• Starting from home plate, foul lines must extend at least 325 feet to where a pole marker stands. These poles can be set farther, but the minimum must be met. At the pole’s halfway point, the wall or fence must be 400 feet from home plate (official rules.org).

Bases
Here you can find the regulation distance between bases and their size.

• 90 feet apart
• 15-inch squares
• 13-foot surrounding arcs

Batter’s Box
There is a set size of the box and specified distance from home plate.

• 4ft x 6ft
• 6 inches from home plate

Umpire Box
The professional dimensions of the umpire box.

• 43 inches by 8 feet

Pitcher’s Mound
Regulation pitcher mound dimensions and location is described.

• First of all, a pitcher’s mound, which is a 24 -by-6 inch pitching rubber, lies at the center of every baseball diamond. This mound, which has a diameter of 18 feet, must be 10-and-a-half inches above the height of home plate. Home plate is 60 feet, 6 inches away.

The Babe Ruth League (named after the famous player himself) for ages ranging from 13 to 18. And its Cal Ripken division is specifically for players in the 4-12-year-old category.
http://www.sportsknowhow.com/baseball/rules/babe-ruth.html

The 16-18-year-old division plays on regulation fields, but Babe Ruth breaks down into several other teams formed in the Babe Ruth League:
• Bambino Buddy (5-20)
For physically or mentally challenged
• Cal Ripken (4-12)
Major 70, Major 60, Minor, Rookie (7-8 year olds) and T-ball
• Babe Ruth (13-15)
13-year-old Prep League
• Babe Ruth (16-18)
16-year-old Prep League
Babe Ruth League Online: http://www.baberuthleague.org/

Youth Baseball Field Dimensions
The little leagues use standard field dimensions; however, different age categories break the groups up according to the size of the diamond.

Little League Baseball Diamond (ages 12 and under (The Almanac—http://www.almanacnews.com/morgue/2004/2004_07_28.ballb.shtml )
• Infield is a 60-foot square
• Outfield is the space between the two foul poles/lines
(http://www.baseball-almanac.com/stadium/baseball_field_construction.shtml )

Pony League Baseball Diamond
• Infield is a 75-foot square
• Outfield is the space between the two foul poles/lines

Bookmark to:

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.

Bookmark to:

The layout of a baseball field is universal. Although variations in dimensions exist between professional and nonprofessional fields, the layout is the same in regards to having the following.

• Infield complete with first, second, third and home bases
• Catcher’s Box
• Coaches Box
• Pitcher’s Mound
• Outfield complete with foul lines and, most likely, a surrounding fence

Another aspect of baseball field layout, though, is its placement

One important aspect of baseball field layout is the sun direction and angle. It is best to position the sun out of the batter’s line of sight and as many of the fielders as possible. This provides safer and better playing

Basic Layout

• Problems if you don’t pay attention to layout and take a good, initial survey of the potential baseball field playing area include; wet spots and ruts.
• Shoot topographic elevations, measure dimensions, note features like streams, structures and roads
• Survey boundaries (make sure there’s enough room for the field and all of the structures by measuring twice its size)
• Orientation: space availability orients many fields, but recommend laying out field so line from tip of home plate through pitcher’s plate and second base points in an east, northeast direction
• Should consider time of year and day field will be used most to make decision
• Reserve space for dugouts, backstop, surrounding fence b/c failure leads to awkward install later and unsuitable for player safety and correct drainage
• One field should not have to drain more than its own water (in cases of multiple field layout)
• Sufficient access is necessary (roads for players, spectators, maintenance equipment, heavier renovation equipment, parking lots—in a central, easily accessible location for disabled and elderly fans)

Multiple Field Layout

• Popularity of amateur sports leagues leads to multiple-field complexes (individual drainage, adequate slope (to drain moderate rainfall that otherwise sits on field: 0.5% infield, 1.0-1.5% skinned area, )
• Four-plex fields (players face in all directions during competition)—designers should think if any will be used for playoffs in terms of sun position and time of day
• Shared Outfield Complexes: for younger players, place four home plates at corners of square, outfields overlap—peewee and Little League minor leagues b/c distance and high-speed collisions not normally a problem)
-advantage of design: efficient use of space, but need to ensure safe play
• Back-to-Back Complex: Little League age and older players—works best with fairly level existing grade (if constructed on a sloped site, lots of excavation), efficient use of space, disadvantage: pop-ups in foul territory go into another field or spectator area of one, use for experienced players, leave plenty of space between backstops—use overhanging backstops
• Discrete-Field Complexes: not symmetrically laid out (groups of four), designed individually, uneven terrain good use of space , accommodate different age-specific fields and for example, a football field
• Spectator and Player Access: road allow single-axle dump truck, 12 ft wide, allow entry near skinned area (most intense maintenance)

Bookmark to:

In the Beginning, Old Ballparks

Fenway Park in Boston is the oldest park in the major leagues. Fans would gasp in disbelief if it was bulldozed over, not only because of their historical attachment to the field, but also because of its design. Hope is not lost for fans who favor the old-fashioned parks, though, because stadiums built in Baltimore, Cleveland and Arlington, incorporate features from parks like Fenway but with a little more modern details and technology.

However, some fans don’t mind an exchange of old design for modern fields like Toronto’s Skydome, so they can watch their favorite game under the protection of the retractable roof in bad weather. Luckily, fans everywhere can be pleased because field designs vary from park to park—there’s something for every fan, rain or shine.

One important aspect of field design is knowing and understanding the principles of design and construction. Issues like improper field layout can cause many problems in the future. Key areas of concentration are water drainage, irrigation systems, maintenance programs for infield materials , field equipment and fences. Proper construction and maintenance of these areas provide a smooth baseball field and a beautiful site for enthusiasts. Aesthetically pleasing fields are definitely well thought out and measured.

Infields are important in the design process, especially when weather becomes an issue. With special infield mixes like Magic Mix, baseball players are not stuck with the traditional mess that a dirt surface would bring. It also provides quicker recovery from rain with its drainage and more stability for players. Deciding to incorporate top dressing material like Magic Mix not only plays better but looks better, longer. Better fields do make better players.

Bookmark to: