There are some basic issues about backyard pitching mounds that need to be considered initially. First is that buying a pre-made portable pitching mound is an expense, $700 to $1500+ depending on quality and accessories, second, actually building an earthen pitching mound is an enormous amount of work, cost and should probably be done only by a qualified professional due to the slope requirement.
Great, all I wanted was a pitching mound in my backyard that I could practice on and you’re telling me I need a lot of money to do it. Oh contrary my friend. If you have moderate construction skills, I’m going to show you how to build a perfect practice pitching mound for just $200 or less if you have wood to spare around the house.
Finished size 4′ wide – 8′ long with 2′ at the top and 6′ slope down.
Required material:
1. 5 – 2″ x 10″ x 8′
2. 1 – 2″ x 4″ x 8′
3. 1 Sheet – 4′ x 8′ Plywood ** There are two factors to consider when purchasing plywood, ¾” plywood is much stronger and stiffer than ½” plywood, negating any softness in the deck , but it is also much heavier and more expensive .
4. 1 piece of 4′ x 8′ artificial grass and contact cement.
Step 1
Place your tape measure at the end of a 2″ x 10″ x 8′ and measure 2′ down and make a pencil mark.
Starting at this 2′ mark, which is the edge of the base of your platform (top of the pitching mound), start marking your downward slope by measuring 1′ down, then measure down 1″, another foot and measure 2″ down. down another foot and 3″ to the bottom of the board.
Step 2
With a chalk line, hold it at the 2′ mark and extend it to the bottom, scribe a line and it will mark the downward slope of the pitching mound, which is a 1″ drop for every foot of slope. Using a power saw, Carefully cut along this line, which will give you a template to produce 4 identical 2″ x 10″ pieces.
Step 3
Place the 4 stringers equally spaced. Attach a 2″ x 10″ x 4′ to the back of each stringer. Attach 2″ x 4″ x 4′ to the front of the stringers. I would advise cutting 2″ x 4″ or 2″ x 10″ pieces and placing them between the stringers at the beginning of the downslope of the mound. You will have extra wood from reinforcement.
stage 4
Cut a 2′ x 4′ piece of plywood and attach it to the flat area of the mound. Use the remaining plywood to cover the slope. Use at least ½” screws placed every 4″ apart to secure the plywood to the frame, you don’t want it to wobble.
step 5
Cover the top area with contact cement and lay down a 2’x4′ piece of Astroturf. Repeat for the slope using the remaining Astroturf and contact cement.
Tips:
*** You can try joining Astroturf as one piece, but it’s pretty hard to transcend from flat to slope without cutting it.
*** The finished pitching mound will be very heavy, it is suggested that you place it where you want it before placing the plywood.
*** You can install a pitching rubber or a piece of wood simulating a pitching rubber for greater precision in foot placement, with screws.
This mound, while possibly looking clunky compared to a $1500 pre-made mound, ticks all the boxes for practicing pitching from a pitching mound, which is totally different from pitching on a flat surface, and for possibly ZERO cost.