The
homeplate of a baseball/softball field is the point where all other
points are based. (foul poles, bases, pitching rubber, etc) So, when
the time comes to replace a plate, take special care to ensure that the
new plate is square with the foul poles and the field alignment is not
compromised.
Let’s walk through a plate replacement.
First, string lines are pulled from behind the old plate to the foul poles. This is done before the old plate is removed:
Next,
a laser is used to take elevations around homeplate. I always like to
have the homeplate slightly higher than the highest point in the turf.
This will ensure that water will not run back onto the plate during rain
events:
A string line is also pulled from behind
the apex of the plate, through the middle of the pitchers rubber and
the middle of the anchor of 2nd base. This is the third string to
ensure proper alignment. Keep in mind that when the elevation of the
plate in changed, the pitching rubber elevation should be checked and
adjusted if necessary:
Finally, carefully install mound clay around the plate making sure that the plate does not move:
To see how to renovate a plate on a budget, click HERE:
Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer
