Does anyone know how to build a slope gauge for rebuilding a mound? I know you can buy them but I have also seen them built.

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We're right there with ya' coach.

We sure could have used a gauge in rebuilding our mound. I think it would have helped considerably.







We really appreciated Conrail's offer to help, but in the end we should have switched to someone else!




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socalhscoach

Here is how we made one:

use a piece of 2"X4"X10' lumber. Lay the board across the pitcher's plate so that it extends 22" behind the plate and about 8' toward home plate. When it's in the proper position, stake the home plate end, so it is level.
Mark the board at the front edge of the rubber. Measure out 18" and make another mark, then make five more marks one foot apart. The last mark will be 6 1/2' from the front of the rubber.
Level the top of the mound so there's a flat area all the way to the back end of the board. Then slope the mound toward home plate so that the mark 18" in front of the plate is 1" above the ground, the second mark is 2" above, and so on. The sixth mark should be 6" above the slope. Then slope the rest of the mound evenly to the bottom.

If I explained this unclearly, let me know. If I can figure out how to post a picture of it, I'll do it.

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You might get lucky enough to find just the right piece of lumber that matches the slope you are trying to establish!






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If your mound is already set at the proper height, run a string from the middle of the back of the rubber to the back of home plate to find the center of the front of the mound. Mark the middle of the front of the mound where it meets the grass. Remove the original string and run a string from the middle of the back of the rubber to the mark you just made - that is your slope.

tcb1 - you can post the pic by right clicking on the picture and copy/past the location name into tht image url location on Display image tab on the reply to posting...love to see that picture of tthe gauge...