High School Field Dimensions

What are your preferences as it relates to field dimensions? Not just LF, CF and RF but the distance to the backstop and the amount of foul ground too. I'd also like to see comments about the dugouts and how far they are (or should be) from the plate.

1. For me (this is not popular in HS). I like a 400 ft CF. I don't care if we have 300 in LF and RF as long as it's 400 ft to straight away CF. The gaps can be short too. I just don't think it's a "ballpark" if it ain't 400ft. Plus, if you put the fence at 400ft anyone can play there. No one will complain that the field is too small because the gaps are only 340 but they will if CF is 350.

2. The backstop in the pro's is 45-60ft. I like a 40ft backstop in HS. LL is over and the 20ft backstop should be too. As for foul ground and the dugouts. I've seen too many HS fields where the dugouts are right up on the plate. Get the players away from each other a little bit and let's focus on the game instead of the bench jockeying.

If you want to add other field issues please feel free.

Do you grow grass in the baselines?

Is your fence see through?

How much seating should you provide?

I realize it's not an NCAA program you're running but what's on your wish list from a field and/or equipment perspective?

 

I like a field that takes a little pop in the bat to get the ball out of the park and makes the outfielders cover some space. The back stop should be about 35-40 feet IMO. That makes the pitcher execute and the catcher do his job, if they don't they better hope there's no one on 3rd.

Down the lines I like about 325 to 330. These fields that are 300 to 310 turn wind aided pop flies into HRs. There are too many of these around.

In center field I like 370+. That means you have to really tag a ball to get it out in center. There are several H.S. fields around here that are around 350 in center - most middle-school fields are bigger than that.

Those small fields give the players a false sense of power that will get taken away quickly when they get to college with 330 down the lines and 390+ in center (or when they play on a full size HS field). The big fields take away some HRs but you'll have more gappers and make it play like a real game of baseball.

I like just a regular green wind screen.

I'm not particularly fond of grass in the base paths but thats just personal preference since it seems to wear into ruts if it isn't really babied.

Thats my take.

 

Coming from a pitchers Dad I like to see those big ole, deep outfield fences....make that hitter earn that long ball.

 

and short backstops

 

a few points

Are you , as the head HS baseball coach, responsible for maintenance of the baseball field? If so, you have a large responsibility to coach and do that maintenance and keep it in top-notch condition.

For HS baseball fields in our area, the field at Smithfield -Selma HS (called SSS) has the longest distance between home plate & the backstop and between the 2 dugouts. I don't know the actual distances, but it is really obvious when you look at the field. Also at SSS if you really launch a long HR over the left field fence, there's always the suspense as to whether it will land on the gym roof or not.

Little unique things about fields creates interest; that's part of what makes baseball special.............all fields have their unique differences.

Do you prefer your home dugout on the 1st or 3rd base side? If I was coaching 3rd base as most HS coaches do, I always preferred it on the 3rd side to be closer to players to make sub's, pitcher changes, talk to asst's, etc.

what about a warning track? aren't those things a pain to maintain?

 

Fields

Our field is 385' to center 375' lcf 365' rcf and 315' down the lines. Our home dugout is 3b. Our backstop is short only about 20'. We do not have alot of foul area at all.

If we could change it (and we can not) this is what I would want.
First of all regulation distance from home to backstop is 60' . So I would want a 60' distance from home to the backstop. I like the home dugout on 3b side because its a shorter walk. I can make eye contact with our pitchers because since Harrsion graduated we have not see a lefty in our program and none at the middle schools. I get to talk to Coach Evans while he is trying to give signals to his players. I always pick up the squeeze Steve!!LOL. I too like a park that takes a legit stroke to send it out of. To me 400' to center is ideal. 375' in the alleys is good. And I like 330' down the lines. I like a good hitting backdrop in center field unlike our place where the press box for the football field is directly in line with the hitters view. And yes it is painted white. I like grass base paths for many many reasons. Mostly because its all most impossible to keep the grass from growing into dirt base paths and it takes more work period. I like a tall outfield fence at least 8' but actually I like the ones at East Cobb. Not sure how tall they are but they are nice. And I like a fair amount of foul territory but as much as say Duke has around there dugouts. You feel like your a country mile from the field.

I do like the fact that all fields are not the same. It adds something to the game. But I hate to play at HS fields that are cracker jack box's. Nothing worse than making a good pitch and they get rewarded with a pop up hr. Yes we do too when we do it but I would rather both teams have to earn it. I like a lot of ground to cover in the outfield where cut plays and fundementals come into play. Some of these fields with the metal bats kids are using are like playing at a LL park.

 

This question still goes with this thread. Name some HS fileds that are crackerjack parks? The only one in Charlotte that I can think of is Providence HS, but it's not their fault. They can not push it back any further. But to Danny Hignight' credit, he has installed a 30' monster behind centerfield

 

60 ft is a long way

60 ft is a long way for a HS catcher to play "Fetcher." A man can do a lot of cussin' by the time he got to the ball! This I know first hand. 45 ft would be fine for this level of ball.

 

Southern Nash- about 300' all the way around.

 

HS Fields

Ill disagree about the 60' for the backstop. I expect balls to be blocked and there needs to be a penalty for not blocking them. JMO

Now as far as the cracker jack fields. I cant speak for the Charlotte area but if we are talking NC High School baseball I can could name several that I have seen. Even a couple with no fence at all!!!