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22202
263 Posts |
 Posted - 02/14/2011 : 10:31:04
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| What do you think of the "portable" pitching mounds. They have a huge lip on the front of it. When a ball gets ripped on the ground, or hits it on the fly, it seems to pop right at the pitchers face. I think that they need to smoothed down or a rolled lip on it. Saw a kid take one to the chin this weekend during practice off the lip of one of these type mounds. |
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Alter-Ego
802 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2011 : 10:56:28
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| What the field maintenance people are supposed to do is put dirt against the lip for a smooth transition and not just go drop the mound out there and walk off. I agree the need to have a rubber flap or something to transition to the dirt. I have seen what you are referring to, quite a bit. what I cringed at more was when players get taller and the landing point for their front foot is right where the lip is. You either short stride, long stride, or twist an ankle. |
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22202
263 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2011 : 11:08:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Alter-Ego
What the field maintenance people are supposed to do is put dirt against the lip for a smooth transition and not just go drop the mound out there and walk off. I agree the need to have a rubber flap or something to transition to the dirt. I have seen what you are referring to, quite a bit. what I cringed at more was when players get taller and the landing point for their front foot is right where the lip is. You either short stride, long stride, or twist an ankle.
...interesting Alter, I have NEVER seen the field maint guys "build up" a transition. Also good point on the length of the mound. We did have a kid last year turn his ankle badly off the end of it. I would think the more "established" parks and tournaments would do this but I haven't seen it. I wonder if there is any rule, or requirement by a hosting organization in field prep that would require it? |
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Scorekeeper
35 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2011 : 11:22:34
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The directors don't seem to care much about field conditions, especialy around the mound. The mounds are just thrown down and the landing area is not maintained for the pitchers as the week goes on. As coaches we will always try to either ask it be fixed before our game, or go fix it ourselves as best we can by kicking dirt.
How about the right handed batters box ending up 5 inches deep by Sunday? |
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DecaturDad
619 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2011 : 12:23:07
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| You also have the same problem with taller kids when they try and pick someone off. The sides are not wide enough and they completely miss the mound. |
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rippit
667 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2011 : 12:25:48
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HATE THEM!!!
I cringe because I don't want to see what you described, but also don't want to see broken ankles or torn up knees from pick off moves gone wrong because some of these mounds are just not made to jump all around on. Having to fall off the mound to throw to 1st or 2nd is dangerous.
My other beef is how much some of these TD's charge and then throw the dinky cheapo portable mounds out there.  |
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momshell
103 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2011 : 15:20:05
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Agree!!! Hate these contraptions. My long legged sons struggle with that lip when they step down. It really messes them up!
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22202
263 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2011 : 15:55:34
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I'm not throwing around blame here, but isn't it also the Umpires responsibility to make sure the field is ready? I know they always stop the game for bats laying out, dugout doors open (if they have them), batters in the wrong batter box during the game. Why not the pitchers mound? This should be just as important if not more since that area is involved in every play of the game.
And I agree with Scorekeeper, the ditch that develops in the right handed batter box can get awful as well. Not only for the batter, but the footing for the catcher making a play at the plate. I'm not trying to bubble wrap the players, but any chance to avoid injury is worth it to me. |
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loveit
26 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2011 : 16:27:05
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| My son pitches 12u major. He really hates having to pitch off them. We have had the situation of it being too "short" for his pitching stride and also the problem of the astroturf being wet/damp in early morning games and then not being able to "plant" his front foot because he is sliding down the mound!! |
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bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2011 : 20:21:57
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regular sneakers typically solve the slipping problem.
quote:
Originally posted by loveit
My son pitches 12u major. He really hates having to pitch off them. We have had the situation of it being too "short" for his pitching stride and also the problem of the astroturf being wet/damp in early morning games and then not being able to "plant" his front foot because he is sliding down the mound!!
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thegoat
29 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2011 : 09:50:10
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| Agree totally! Get rid of the portable mounds. We talk about ankles and knees. But when the kids are striding off the mound and landing on flat ground could lead to arm trouble. TDs give me money and lets move on. Could USSSA/Triple Crown come up with a standard mound size in each age group! If you want to host a USSSA/Triple Crown Tournament you have to use the larger mounds! |
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Scorekeeper
35 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2011 : 10:21:49
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All for effort (or lack of effort) to spread a little dirt around, or rake it back to where it goes. Or the one time expense for a wider proper mound.
On the RH batter box, you'll always get the answer 'if we repair it it will just be loose sand or dirt'. Trick is to add about a gallon of water to the loose material and then pack it in. That firms it up so the batters canget comfortable in their Own hole. |
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G-Man
326 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2011 : 12:49:21
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Hate them as well. Our 14u team had to use them in a tournament we played in South Carolina with Usssa this fall. Not to mention but the 60/90 field was all dirt other than the outfield LOL. One of our pitchers is about 6'4 so he had all kinds of problems with the portable mounds we had to use.
For younger age groups they are fine but my opinion once you hit 12u and above they can become a hazard. The issues with moves to 1st. The ball hitting the lip if not setup right. Incorrect angles from the top of the mound to the bottom. Not that it works but a 3-1 move is impossible for the most part and the spin move to 2nd base with a big pitcher can be dangerous. |
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22202
263 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2011 : 09:52:57
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| I'd love to hear some feedback on this from small size TD's to large well known TD's. |
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christheump
351 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2011 : 08:44:27
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quote:
Originally posted by 22202
I'm not throwing around blame here, but isn't it also the Umpires responsibility to make sure the field is ready? I know they always stop the game for bats laying out, dugout doors open (if they have them), batters in the wrong batter box during the game. Why not the pitchers mound? This should be just as important if not more since that area is involved in every play of the game.
Yes....there has been many games I have delayed starting to ensure the field is in playing condition. That includes removing the batters box and having in properly chalked, AND the mound (portable and perm.) are properly maintained. When I am working the field, I will dress the front of the portable mounds if needed. Premanent mounds are a different story. Some kids like em flush, and some will dig a hole to China. Those are not a biggie for me, but the one I look out for most is the landing area on the dirt mounds. |
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pitching mounds dangerous?
