Pictures from an athletic field contractor

[Complete Turf Care]

Before, during, and after rebuilding the pitchers mound at LSU Alexandria.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Before, during, and after rebuilding the pitchers mound at LSU Alexandria.

View attachment 3969212View attachment 3969331View attachment 3969410

I never knew that there was a bed of bricks under a pitcher's mound, always thought it was just raised mound, learn something new everyday.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I never knew that there was a bed of bricks under a pitcher's mound, always thought it was just raised mound, learn something new everyday.

The bricks are actually clay blocks. They are soft when you wet them. Sort of like molding clay, but not that soft. There are some pretty tight specs for a mound. The rubber must be exactly 10" higher in elevation than home plate. It must be 60'6" from the apex of home plate. There is a 'plateau' around the rubber and then it drops 1" per foot for 7' from the 'plateau' down to the front of the 'landing area'

 

[Complete Turf Care]

More work at LSU - A today. We added 2 loads of infield clay and laser graded the softball infield.

 

[BackRoad]

Mr. Complete, (other than set-up and driving) are there any driver actions required while using your laser leveling system?

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Mr. Complete, (other than set-up and driving) are there any driver actions required while using your laser leveling system?

Not really. I do have to change the height of the blade a few times while grading. I will make a few rounds to take the high spots down, then lower the blade to get it down a little more, and eventually all the high spots are down, and the low spots are filled in. I can change the height of the blade by either lowering the laser or raising the receiver on the blade. I usually do it by raising the receiver.

There are times when first starting a job that I will keep my finger on the "auto/manual" switch. If I'm in a high spot, the system will keep trying to lower the blade until it reaches its limit, and it will strain the hydraulic system. I'll just flip the switch to "manual", and it will stop trying to lower the blade. When I get back to an area within the limits of the equipment, I'll flip it back to "auto"

 

[EddieWalker]

The bricks are actually clay blocks. They are soft when you wet them. Sort of like molding clay, but not that soft. There are some pretty tight specs for a mound. The rubber must be exactly 10" higher in elevation than home plate. It must be 60'6" from the apex of home plate. There is a 'plateau' around the rubber and then it drops 1" per foot for 7' from the 'plateau' down to the front of the 'landing area'

Is there somebody that checks this? Baseball Field Inspector?

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Is there somebody that checks this? Baseball Field Inspector?

At the high school level, I doubt anyone ever checks this. But, at higher level college and MLB, they probably do. Most of my work is high schools, and a few smaller colleges.

It would probably be the umpire's responsibility to check this. I doubt very many high school umpires even know what the specs are.

 

[sixdogs]

You do the kind of jobs that no one gave any thought to until they see the process. I never gave a second glance to a pitcher's mound and now I understand completely all that you do and can never look at a pitcher's mound the same way. Your work looks perfect. Whatever you're charging, it's not enough.