In order to play baseball well, the field needs to be in excellent condition. That includes adhering to the right dimensions, constructing an infield that plays true, and maintaining pristine grass at exactly the right length.
But the pitching mound is the heart of the operation. It’s the starting point for every pitch, and if it’s not pristine and well maintained, the integrity of the game itself can be compromised. That can also happen via weather or wear and tear, and sometimes games have to be held on fields that are normally used for other activities.
That’s where a removable pitching mound comes into play, both literally and figuratively. They can be used under any conditions to provide a perfect mound, and they can also help players develop good practice habits.
What is a Professional Removable Pitching Mound for Baseball?
Structurally, a removable pitching mound is a well-designed, high-tech piece of equipment. These pitching mounds are primarily made of a combination of reinforced fiberglass and synthetic turf with a regulation pitching rubber, and all three components have special purposes.
The fiberglass is designed to replicate the exact slope of a regulation mound. This slope varies at different levels, however, whether it’s Little League, youth league baseball, or college and the minor or major leagues.
Removable pitching mounds come in different sizes that replicate the exact dimensions for each level, and they can be used for practice or games.
The synthetic turf is usually positioned primarily on the slope of the mound from which pitchers push off. The entire mound is also coated with a protective covering with some mounds, and the better ones are typically designed to help pitchers practice leaving the mound to field bunts and ground balls, not to mention covering first base when necessary.
How Removable Portable Pitching Mounds are Installed
For games that take place on makeshift fields or fields that are used for other activities, a removable mound can be quickly installed to substitute for a substandard mound or convert an athletic field for baseball use.
To do this, removable pitching mounds are simply placed on top of the existing field surface, then anchored to prevent movement. This allows umpires and coaches to make the proper measurements for the bases and base paths, and to properly groom the rest of the field as much as possible.
Width and Length of a Removable Portable Pitching Mound
Removable pitching mounds are typically made to exact dimensions, but the length of the push off area can vary. This is because of the size of pitchers at different levels of the game, and also because taller pitchers usually need more room to push off when they’re delivering the ball.
The width of the mound usually complies to the standard dimensions, but those dimensions vary slightly for Little League, youth league and in the upper level of the game.
Weight and Portability
One of the most significant advantages of removable portable pitching mounds is that they’re usually light, and they’re definitely made to be easy to move.
That means a coach and a player, for instance, can quickly carry a removable portable pitching mound to the location that’s most ideal. Some portable pitching mounds are even light enough for a single player to carry them, making them ideal for prospects whose primary goal is to hone and develop their skills while developing good practice habits.
Different Dimensions for Each League
The dimensions of portable pitching mounds vary according to the different levels for which they’re designed. Here are some of the specific numbers:
o Little League—46 feet from the front of the pitcher’s rubber to the plate, with no elevation.
o Youth league—54 feet from the rubber to the mound, slight elevation according to the specific league.
o Professional mound—60 feet, 6 inches, 10 inches of elevation above home plate.
As you progress through these different levels, it’s important to make sure you’re ready before you take a step to a higher level. It might be tempting to try advancing quickly, but this can lead to injuries if your body isn’t ready.
How to Use Removable Pitching Mounds With a Pitching Rubber at Home
While it might seem counterintuitive to use a portable pitching mound at home, this is actually quite easy to do. If you have a yard, a removable pitching mound doesn’t take up much space. Use a barrier to set up a target, or you can buy equipment that will return the ball automatically upon impact.
Make sure you develop a repeatable routine when you do this. That means warming up, working on pitches and using the portable pitching mound to work off the rubber.
Working with the rubber can be especially valuable. Changing delivery points can alter the movements of specific pitches, and there’s no limit to the amount of experimenting you can do. You can also practice getting off the mound quickly as part of personalize fielding drills.
You can also use this kind of mound to get mental reps with a physical component. If you have a basement or a rec room, you can set up the portable pitching mound, go through your delivery and work on consistency.
You can even use video technology to tape yourself. This is easy to do with smart phones or portable cameras like Go Pros, and watching yourself allows you to see errors and improve faster. You can hone your windup or work off the stretch; you don’t need actual base runners or a live practice to get better.
Victory Mounds Can Supply You With the Ultimate Removable Pitcher’s Mound for Your Needs
At Victory Mounds, we’ve been involved in all aspects of baseball, from basic equipment like balls, bats and gloves to add-ons like pitching machines and portable or removable pitchers mounds. We can help you get what you need, then work within your budget to keep it intact.
A lot of companies won’t have everything you need, and they won’t be able to help you with a comprehensive solution. We supply information and consulting as well as equipment, so when you contact us, we’ll answer your questions, ask a few of our own about your program and needs, then recommend the appropriate products.
The process starts when you go to VictoryMounds.com to learn more about our products, then call us at 800 835 9460. If you’d prefer to email, you can contact us at info@victorymounds.com.
Also Read: Do you need a practice pitching mound?