How to Build Outdoor Softball Pitching Mound

Softball is enjoyed around the world by children and adults of all ages. While baseball and softball share many of the same rules, the bats, fields, and pitches are very different between the two sports. In baseball the pitcher’s mound is twice the distance from home than in softball and it’s raised.

Use a pitch fork to mix the dirt, sand and clay. You can mix them on a clean concrete slab which will make it easier to scoop into the wheel barrel.

Measure 40 feet in a straight line from home plate to the pitching rubber. Use a wooden stake to mark this spot.

Cut out a mound area if it is not already created. You will need to place a wooden stake for the pitching rubber.

Take the 10, five- to 10-foot wooden sticks and lay them in a circle around the pitching rubber. Use an electric garden edger to carefully cut two to three inches deep around the edge of the sticks creating the outline of the mound

Remove the sticks and wooden stake and began pulling the sod up with your hands or a digging shovel until there is no more grass in the mound area. If the grass is difficult to pull up, use the edger to cut out small pieces is a mosaic pattern.

Gather mixed dirt, sand, and clay into a large wheel barrel and proceed to the mound. area.

Dump mixed dirt, sand, and clay onto the middle of the mound area. Begin spreading it in a sloping manner. Use a wide shovel to pat it down to compact it. Spread the mixed soil to the edges as neat as possible.

Adjust and pat the soil down until it is six to eight inches higher than home plate. Place the pitching rubber in the middle of the mound and you are done.

Tips

Visit a local softball field to get a good visual of the end product.

Warnings

Ask someone to help you in this effort as it can be rigorous. Use a back brace, gloves, and safety glasses.