"If you build it, he will come"

[wishitwasasvt]

I am planning on building a baseball field for my son, does anyone have any experience in building one? The do's and don'ts, Where to start, etc? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Txstang1]

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/stadium/baseball_field_construction.shtml

http://on.aol.com/video/how-to-build-a-baseball-field-133587157

what else ?

[krazy kris]

Get measurements right then mow then play ball

[Txstang1]

If there's grass on the field......

[2000 vert]

Sounds fun. I am in joshua too. Let me know If u need some help.

[wishitwasasvt]

Thanks fellas, I can't decide if I want to make it with grass on the field or just all dirt. I'll probably go ahead and do it with grass because it looks better. What do y'all think?

2000vert I'll let you know when I get started or when I need a hand, thanks.

[Blakeski]

Grass on the field with dirt warning tracks.

[idrivea4banger]

If there's grass on the field......

Trim it.

[Nash B.]

If you're going to do it right, grass diamond with dirt between the diamond and outfield. A ball plays totally different on dirt.

[Slowhand]

It's not as easy as dirt and grass, especially with Texas soil; you won't be using any of that soil for the field, but it's how it shifts underneath the dirt that causes problems. If you want to do it right and not give your kid a minefield that will pop him in the mouth while he takes ground balls, you have to go to pretty decent lengths when first building it and keep on top of it.

As stated above, an all dirt infield may be a bit easier, to an extent, but it's useless.

Just from my experience:

1. Don't try and turn a lumpy, uneven plot of land into a baseball diamond; it will never work. You can level it and scrape it and pound it all you want, but it's going to cause you constant problems as long as it exists.

2. Grass: re-sod with bermuda. Don't try and make whatever else you have going on work, because it won't. Aside from that, I don't have any advice on laying sod/seeding because neither of the fields I helped build were ever done right in that respect.

3. Dirt: the composition here is key. DO YOUR RESEARCH on composition, and mix it yourself. Too much sand really sucks to play on (not fun to slide on, squishy under feet, rain wreaks havoc); too much clay and it'll crack and divot and get torn up.

The way I would do the dirt is to go down a couple of inches first, compact that base layer of earth as much as you can (almost like you've rolled a steamroller over it), and then build your dirt layer up from there, compacting each layer as much as you possibly can as you lay it down. The more work you do underneath the better the top will turn out. Going down first will also allow you to control weeds/grass growing through the dirt better as well; a treatment of diluted weed killer over the areas you plan to fill with dirt works well.

You also want to get the transition from grass to dirt as smooth as possible. Build the dirt portion right by going down first and then coming up and you should be able to make it a straight shot, with the grass just the tiniest touch higher. If you're really going to err one way other the other, make the grass a touch higher than the dirt; the other way around will suck.

4. Drainage: without proper drainage, all of your work will be for naught and you'll constantly be trying to fix the field.

5. Pitchers mound: building a good mound is witchcraft. You'll never get it right. Go slow, take your time, make a billion measurements, and find instructions somewhere. Also, use a shitload of clay; there's nothing worse than a soft mound. I personally would much rather pitch on a cracked, hard mound than a soft mound.

All in all, it's not an easy task. It takes a lot of work to do it right the first time, and it takes a lot of work to maintain. It is not a quick and easy build, nor is it ever finished. Kudos to you for going with it, but don't half-ass it or you're just going to have a really shitty looking field being overgrown with weeds after 6 months if you don't do it right and aren't prepared to commit to it.

Good news is that there is a ton of information out there to do it. Find a good, reputable source and follow it to a 'T'.

[wishitwasasvt]

Thanks slow hand, that's the information I was looking for. I've searched the web time and time again for information on how to start a field but nothing that really gives any information. Thanks again, and I am committed to doing it because seeing my boys smile when they are playing ball is what it's all about.

[my95z28]

I've got a bit of advice for you that doesn't involve building the field. Don't turn into one of "those" dads that push their kid so hard they get fed up with the sport. I had a pitching machine, batting cage, my own catchers gear, pitching mound but in the end I hated going out there and working because it didn't come from me wanting to do it, it came from my dad making me feel guilty he spent money on things I never asked for.

[jdgregory84]

Most normal people would just sign their kids up for little league.

[wishitwasasvt]

Everything I'm doing is my sons idea, yeah I know he is five and really doesn't know the difference yet but I do not push him to do it, he plays while I am at work and when I get off he wants to practice hitting, so i play with him to help him get better. I do not, nor will I ever, yell or get mad at him for doing something wrong or not wanting to play. That is not who I am. If he wants to play or not I will support him.

He is in Tball right now but wants to keep playing after the game is over or keep practicing after practice is over.

[jdgregory84]

Everything I'm doing is my sons idea, yeah I know he is five and really doesn't know the difference yet but I do not push him to do it, he plays while I am at work and when I get off he wants to practice hitting, so i play with him to help him get better. I do not, nor will I ever, yell or get mad at him for doing something wrong or not wanting to play. That is not who I am. If he wants to play or not I will support him.

He is in Tball right now but wants to keep playing after the game is over or keep practicing after practice is over.

Sometimes you have to tell kids no. There are backstops all over the place in North Texas. Just go to a middle school or something. Don't get me wrong but building a baseball field bc he asks...especially at the age of 5 is a bit ridiculous.