Today, I decided to roll up my sleeves and tackle a project I’ve been putting off – building a baseball mound in my backyard. I’ve always loved baseball, and having a proper mound to practice pitching has been a dream of mine. Plus, it’s a great way to get some exercise and have fun with friends.
I started off by gathering my materials. I went with clay bricks, because they’re affordable and seem to be the go-to choice for DIY mounds. I found some decent ones at a local store. I mean, this is just for a backyard, not a professional stadium, right? After doing some quick calculations, I figured I needed around 180 bricks. So I loaded up my truck and hauled them back home. It was quite a workout, I gotta say.
Next, I marked out the area for the mound. I measured everything carefully, using string and stakes to outline a circle. It looked kind of professional, if I do say so myself. I had already dug out a rectangle space for the landing area and the pitcher’s plateau. For the plateau and landing area I needed about 117 bricks and for stride area I used another 36 bricks.
Then came the fun part – laying the bricks. I started with the landing area, carefully placing each brick and tapping it down with a rubber mallet. I took my time, making sure everything was level. This was crucial because the landing area needs to be solid and stable, to help prevent injuries and ensure a good follow-through. Gradually, I saw the shape of the mound starting to come together.
Laying the bricks for the plateau was a bit trickier, since it needed to be a specific size. I kept double-checking my measurements and ended up with a 5 x 3 feet area, right at the top. After arranging them properly, I made sure it was level with the top of the rubber. I was sweating bullets by this point, but seeing the plateau take shape was super satisfying. It had started to look like a real pitcher’s mound.
- First, I laid out about 81 bricks for the landing area, making sure they were packed tightly.
- Second, I arranged 36 bricks for the stride area, focusing on stability.
- Finally, I built up the plateau with 63 bricks, ensuring it was level and sturdy.
Once all the bricks were in place, I covered the whole thing with a layer of topsoil, to help everything settle and blend in with the rest of the yard. I even watered it down a bit, to help the soil pack in around the bricks. I stepped back to admire my work. It wasn’t perfect, but it was my very own baseball mound. I could already imagine myself practicing my pitches, the sun on my face, the smell of the grass in the air. All in all, it was a great day’s work. I’m pretty proud of how it turned out, and I can’t wait to start using it.
Key Takeaways
- Using clay bricks is a great way to build a pitcher’s mound on a budget.
- Make sure to lay the bricks carefully and evenly, especially for the landing area and plateau.
- Taking the time to do it right pays off in the long run, creating a stable and durable mound.
Well, that’s about it for my mound-building adventure. It was tough, but totally worth it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some pitching to practice!
