I’m curious if anyone here has built a personal practice field. If so I’d like to hear some feedback or tips from your experience. In our area it is next to impossible to find fields for travel teams so this is an option I’m exploring. I have the land available so that cost is not part of the equation. Thanks
Building a practice field
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We didn't build a practice field, per se. But I have 2 catchers, so we built a 30' diameter circle with a backstop in the back yard. It was a very involved process, including digging up the catcher area and laying clay bricks. The biggest issues we dealt with were:
1.) Did not install lighting because of cost. So sometimes it was difficult getting use during the week before it got dark. But it was handy if the 2 catchers (one who used a big yellow ball and one who used a small white ball) could work with each other.
2.) Lack of constant use, that is normal with most practice fields, leads to weeds. This eventually overtook our venture. Your mileage may vary.
3.) Rocks. Unless you remove the soil and replace with something with no debris, you will deal with stuff working to the top. We tilled our area and hand picked rocks. This slowed the issue, but it was still prevalent.
1.) Did not install lighting because of cost. So sometimes it was difficult getting use during the week before it got dark. But it was handy if the 2 catchers (one who used a big yellow ball and one who used a small white ball) could work with each other.
2.) Lack of constant use, that is normal with most practice fields, leads to weeds. This eventually overtook our venture. Your mileage may vary.
3.) Rocks. Unless you remove the soil and replace with something with no debris, you will deal with stuff working to the top. We tilled our area and hand picked rocks. This slowed the issue, but it was still prevalent.
- Sep 29, 2014
- 2,421
- 113
Just going to be a pretty big project probably more than you think.
First thing is the right piece of land...drainage is a big issue you need to plan for well in advance...are you on slightly higher ground?
Then it is a matter of material and equipment...you have to use a material that will drain well and as with any project like this prepping everything ahead of time is most important you need a good foundation.
Definitely high quality clay (probably bricks) for pitching circle and batters boxes. Also don't neglect the outfield it's not a big deal but flat and devoid of rocks and hazards is important for safety.
Then as Josh mentioned you can probably make it work and have a great grand opening but then you have to maintain it. Even our crappy city fields they still have city park and rec folks once a week checking on the field giving it a quick drag and cutting the grass every couple weeks. Also having water at the location is pretty important, you don't need a manicured outfield but you don't want the grass to die and without watering the infield you will have a dust bowl pretty quickly in the summer and your field start to deteriorate without replacing material that is blown away. If no water is at location then then access to a tractor with a water tank attached or towed out could work.
It's not impossible but just don't want you to think it will be easy...having the right equipment will be key. A big tractor to start and make sure everything is graded out then maybe a bobcat or light tractor for the remainder of the project...can you do it on the cheap quicker and easier..sure... but this is one of those things you will soon regret if you don't do it right from the start...again it's not that it won't be just fine at first it's just making sure it's not a mess after just a year
First thing is the right piece of land...drainage is a big issue you need to plan for well in advance...are you on slightly higher ground?
Then it is a matter of material and equipment...you have to use a material that will drain well and as with any project like this prepping everything ahead of time is most important you need a good foundation.
Definitely high quality clay (probably bricks) for pitching circle and batters boxes. Also don't neglect the outfield it's not a big deal but flat and devoid of rocks and hazards is important for safety.
Then as Josh mentioned you can probably make it work and have a great grand opening but then you have to maintain it. Even our crappy city fields they still have city park and rec folks once a week checking on the field giving it a quick drag and cutting the grass every couple weeks. Also having water at the location is pretty important, you don't need a manicured outfield but you don't want the grass to die and without watering the infield you will have a dust bowl pretty quickly in the summer and your field start to deteriorate without replacing material that is blown away. If no water is at location then then access to a tractor with a water tank attached or towed out could work.
It's not impossible but just don't want you to think it will be easy...having the right equipment will be key. A big tractor to start and make sure everything is graded out then maybe a bobcat or light tractor for the remainder of the project...can you do it on the cheap quicker and easier..sure... but this is one of those things you will soon regret if you don't do it right from the start...again it's not that it won't be just fine at first it's just making sure it's not a mess after just a year
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You are honestly better building a pole barn...
Seriously - a concrete floor, artificial turf, roof, posts and then netting as walls (possibly with plastic walls if you live somewhere were it snows or rains a lot so you can practice inside in bad weather.
If you want to go cheaper - a really large batting cage is a good option as well. Concrete and turf is again a lot easier to maintain.
If you are serious on building a field, this is good info:
Baseball Field Maintenance & Renovation for Youth, Collegiate, and Pros
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- Sep 29, 2014
- 2,421
- 113
I think location is huge here as well...if you live in NE or Midwest and only have outside access about 6 or 7 month outside this is a much better idea...if you are in south and you have 10 months or more of outside time outside could still work if you don't want turf...although you could put some clay down even inside even if just batter boxes and pitchers circle.
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This link was provided on a different thread for proper netting for batting cages (and frames and others):
https://netsandmore.com/
https://netsandmore.com/
BTW, the day you commit to doing this is the day your kid decides to give up the game. Seen it happen a few times. Just saying.
That is also why I recommend the pole barn - you can always convert it into a garage/outbuilding/workshop/man cave/in-lawsuite when you no longer need it for the your original purpose.
That is also why I recommend the pole barn - you can always convert it into a garage/outbuilding/workshop/man cave/in-lawsuite when you no longer need it for the your original purpose.
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