How to Make a Backyard Baseball Field
Baseball is the national pastime of our great nation and is also a lot of fun to play. But sometimes getting to the ballpark can be a hassle. And if you're trying to practice it can be tough to get field time. While you probably won't be able to build a backyard baseball field to scale, you can certainly make one that's a lot of fun and will impress your neighbors. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Scout your yard. The space could be rectangular or round in shape. Obviously the bigger the better. Look for a place in your yard that is flat without many obstructions, such as rocks or trees.
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Take gross measurements. Using your tape measure, take an approximate measurement of the area you have. Then determine the scale of your field. The average baseball field center wall is 400 feet from home plate. If your yard measures 200 feet, you'll need to cut the rest of the measurements in half to build your backyard baseball field.
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Mark the field. Using your protractor, place it where you envision home plate. Position it so that you can read a 90 degree angle as if it were the base of a diamond (on its side.) The playing area between first base and third base is a perfect ninety degrees. Mark that spot. Then using rope, roll it out the length of your backyard on each 90 degree angle. These are essentially your foul lines. If your baseball field is say 200 feet as discussed before, then your bases will be at 45 feet. (Half the distance of the Major Leagues.) Using your tape measure, mark 45 feet from home plate along each rope. This is first and third base respectively. Then use your protractor again and measure 90 degrees from first and third base, so that the angle is facing out where second base would be. Take more rope and lead from first and third base, on that 90 degree angle until it crosses. This is second base. Finally measure the distance between home plate and second base; in the middle is where you should mark the pitching mound.
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Cut the grass. In the Major Leagues, there is a difference between the length of the grass in the infield and in the outfield. If you wish, cut the "infield" one inch and the "outfield" at two inches. This will separate the two and give the field a more realistic appearance. (If you want to really go far, remove all the grass in the base paths and mound. However, most people want to keep the integrity of their lawn.)
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Spray paint. Now, using your ropes for straight lines, spray paint every place you've marked. This will become the outline of your field. You should spray paint the foul lines, base paths and pitcher's mound.
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Place bases appropriately. Take your bases (which you can find cheaply at any sporting goods store) and place them in their appropriate locations.
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Play ball! Congratulations, you have made your very own backyard baseball field. Have fun and "play ball!"
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Tips & Warnings
Add fencing along the perimeter of the outfield. It will add a realistic touch to your ball park!
Make signs that you can hang around your ball park on trees that surround your yard. Whether they are the name of your field, a phony beer ad or even distances to the outfield fence, they'll add a homemade touch!
Be sure to clear all potential obstructions from the field of play. Rocks and shrubs and things of the like. If something cannot be moved, be sure to mark it with spray paint for safety so others can clearly see it.
