How to Build a Professional Baseball Field

"Build it and they will come," the famous line from "Field of Dreams" tells the tale--baseball fields are special places, and building a professional diamond is nearly a guarantee that someone will want to play on it. With some care and the right information you can build a professional baseball field that will soon echo with the voices of the boys of summer.

Things You'll Need

• Shovels and rakes
• Tape measure
• Stakes
• Roller
• Paint
• Bases
• Pitching rubber
• Home plate
• Fencing

Instructions

1. Pick a site. You'll need level ground large enough to accommodate building the type of baseball field you've chosen. Check to see how well it drains; if heavy rain leaves standing water you must install a drainage system.

2. Pay attention to the dirt. The infield, at least the base paths, should be "skin" and a crucial playing surface. Soil composition varies from region to region, so check the makeup of your selected site. You'll want a smooth, rock-free surface that drains well.

3. Grow the grass. You'll want a thick, luxurious and durable carpet of green for the field. Consult with a turf expert for the type of grass that grows best in your area and can stand up to the rigors of baseball playing. If you have the money, you might want to consider artificial turf.

4. Lay out the diamond. Start with home plate, configuring it so the sun isn't in the batter's eyes. Many professional baseball fields put the plate on the southwest corner of the site. Second base should be 127 feet, 3 3/8 inches away, and first and third bases should measure 90 feet from home plate, with the result a perfect square. Use a tape measure and stakes to mark out the distances.

5. Build the pitchers mound. The pitching rubber--center and top of the mound-- should be 60 feet, 6 inches from home plate. The mound itself should be 10 1/2 inches tall. Tamp it down completely with a roller as you build it, and make the slope 1 inch for every foot in radius.

6. Build the outfield wall. The distance from home plate varies by the level of competition, but professional baseball fields put the fence 330 to 350 feet away at the foul lines, stretching to 400 feet or more in center field. Your configuration can vary by the nature of the site, and considerations such as whether to create a "pitchers park" with distant fences, or one more favorable to hitters with an easier chance for a home run.