Let’s break down a typical baseball practice. We’re all familiar with most of what happens—some warmup tosses, followed by various fielding and base running drills, then batting practice.
Some might include scrimmages or situational baseball scenarios, but those often fall by the wayside, largely because seems like there’s never enough time to take care of all the skills work that has to be done.
Coaches and players are always looking for ways to spice up practices and make them more efficient, and practice mounds are a great way to do that. What follows is a breakdown of the specifics and you can use them to up your game.
Pitching Mounds and the Warmup Tosses
We’ll start with warmup tosses. At most positions they’re really just a chance to get loose, but with a practice, you can add some structure for your pitching staff.
o Soft tossing. Start with the usual soft tossing, then progressively increase the distance.
o Take to the pitching mound. Once pitchers are warmed up, they can take turns using the pitching mound and try different tactics for improvement.
o The performance experiments. Practice mounds make it possible to experiment with different spots on the pitching rubber, and they also make it safer to try new deliveries.
Fielding and Baserunning Drills
Depending on the field condition some of these drills can be problematic. Many practice field mounds are too torn up to do drills properly, especially if those fields are in constant use. But there is a way to get these drills in if you have your own mound to sub in.
Bunt Drills with Practice Mounds
Practice mounds change the game, both literally and figuratively. They give pitchers live experience when it comes to fielding bunts, for instance, and the authentic slope is just as valuable when it comes to getting off the mound to cover first.
Practice Mounds and Pickoff Drills
Using practice mounds, pitchers can also execute pickoff moves during base running drills, and hitters can easily practice executing the hit-and-run.
The result is a more complete practice experience, with more players engaged given the ability to replicate game conditions.
Batting Practice with Practice Mounds
Regardless of the level, batting practice can be a mundane experience. Too many players end up standing around doing almost nothing, and boredom can lead to poor performance and even injuries.
Practice mounds can change that experience completely. Pitchers will be eager to work off the portable practice mound, and you can coach them while they work on their windup, delivery and other skills.
Practice Mounds Replicate Game Pitching Mounds
Because their dimensions and condition is similar to that of game pitching mounds, drills become sharper and more beneficial.
Coaches can teach hurlers to spot pitches, which is a great way to teach pitchers to locate. It’s also a solid tactic to teach hitters what to do when they’re jammed or the hurler is trying to expand the strike zone to get them to chase bad pitches.
How Portable Pitching Mounds Help Scrimmages and Practice Games
Every team loves scrimmages. They’re a test of skill that promotes friendly competition, but sometimes field conditions or an inadequate field can dilute the sharpness of that competition.
Pitching mounds make scrimmages and practice games more authentic. They help reinforce the skills that are being taught during a given practice, and those tactics can be employed in an authentic way that mimics game conditions.
Pre-Practice Setup: The Portable Pitching Mound Equipment Advantage
Now that you know how portable mounds can help your practices, let’s talk about your practice setup. Many practice fields are in inferior condition, and coaches and players have to spend time building mounds, figuring out where the batter’s box lines should be and filling in divots that have been dug in the existing mounds.
Portable pitching mounds eliminate that last task. They’re light enough to be carried by two people, some of them even break down into two pieces to make them easier to haul around. They can help you get set up for practice in a hurry, which helps players stay engaged.
The Cost Savings Provided By Portable Practice Mounds
Field maintenance can be expensive, especially when it comes to rebuilding pitching mounds that have been abused by too many multiple games in a row. Practice mounds eliminate the need to do that, which generates a number of cost savings.
o The time factor. Rebuilding pitching mounds after a practice takes time. Imagine a world with no more hauling dirt around in clunky wheelbarrows, or spending time trying to figure out exactly where the pitching rubber used to be. If your time is worth money—and whose isn’t?— time represents dollars that stay in your pocket.
o Durability. Practice mounds are also durable—the best ones are built to last for years. That means the time and cost savings you get from them extends well beyond a single season.
o The wear and tear factor. Using a portable practice mound saves wear and tear on existing fields, which means they’ll be in better condition if you’re also playing games on them.
The Equipment Versatility of Portable Practice Mounds
In addition to being built to go the distance, pitching mounds are versatile. There are multiple sizes for every league and all levels of play, whether it’s Little League, youth leagues, high school or college.
o Practice mounds and Little League specifications. For Little Leaguers, the mound height is 6 inches to get them used to the concept of pitching off a mound while consistently replicating the same delivery.
o Youth league pitching mounds. At the youth league level, the mound height goes up to 8 in inches, a height that takes more work and skill to master.
o High school and college mound height. The mound height grows to 10 inches for high school and college baseball, which is where skill development becomes the most essential.
Get the Best Practice Mound and Dominate Your League
We’ve been making quality baseball equipment for years, and that includes portable practice mounds. We can answer your questions, find out your program and needs, then recommend the right product.
To start the process, go to VictoryMounds.com to learn more about our products, or call us at 800 835 9460. You can also email us at info@victorymounds.com