Softball pitching plates consist of a pitching rubber and hardware that secures the rubber in the pitcher's mound. Pitching plates are manufactured in regulation sizes and come in two basic styles. Spike-down plates are practical if you need to move the rubber closer or farther from home plate for different levels of play. Four-way plates allow the rubber to be turned when one side or one edge wears out. Select a moveable spike-down plate that has predrilled holes in the rubber. Select a permanent four-way plate that has rust-resistant stainless steel hardware. A helpful assistant shortens the time it takes to install a softball pitching plate.
Step 1
Establish the preliminary location of the pitching plate for a particular level of play, such as T-ball or adult softball, by referring to the dimensions in the league rulebook or a softball field manual. Note the distance from the front edge of home plate to the front edge of the pitching rubber, which is closest home plate.
Step 2
Measure the distance with a 50-foot measuring tape. Strike a short mark across the face of the pitcher's mound at this point using a garden spade. Place the rubber on the mound and align the front edge with your mark.
Step 3
Check the dimensions from each corner at the front of home plate to the corresponding corners at the front of the rubber. Adjust your mark so the facing edges of both plates are parallel.
Step 4
Establish the correct infield placement of the plate by measuring the distances from the inside corners of third base and first base to the corresponding ends of the rubber. Adjust the location of the rubber so the corresponding ends are equidistant from each base. Strike lines at each end and across that back edge of the rubber with the spade.
Step 5
Scarf out the area inside your lines to a depth that's equal to the thickness of the rubber. Use the garden spade to remove the dirt. Level the base of the excavation using a 1-foot level. Set the rubber in place and use the level to determine if it's necessary to fine-tune the excavation.
Step 6
Install a spike-down plate using a framing hammer or small sledgehammer to drive one of the provided spikes into each of the predrilled holes on the surface of the rubber. Drive each spike so the heads are flush with the surface of the rubber.
Step 7
Refer to the installation instructions for a four-way plate and install the under-plate hardware in the excavation. Most likely, the instructions tell you to back fill and compact the hardware in place. Back fill using the excavated dirt. Compact the dirt using the blunt end of a digging bar. Install the rubber into the hardware as described.
Step 8
Back fill and compact the area around the pitching plate so the surface of the mound is flush with the surface of the rubber. Shovel the excavated dirt in place with the spade. Compact the dirt using the blunt end of the digging bar. Fine tune the installation with small amounts of dirt and a final compaction.
Things You'll Need
- 50-foot measuring tape
- Garden spade
- 1-foot level
- Framing hammer
- Digging bar
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