Baseball Field DimensionsKnow the Baseball Field Dimensions of the Parks You Play In and How They Affect Your Pitching Strategies
Being good at baseball pitching and pitching strategy means searching for every piece of information that can help you succeed against your opponent.
More simple but important pieces of information a pitcher should gather before he takes the mound are the baseball field dimensions. Almost every baseball field is different in some form or fashion.
Some fields are bigger. Some fields are smaller. Some fences are higher. Some are shorter.
A great pitcher must take into account the dimensions of the entire field before he pitches because that may affect how he is going to pitch that day.
For example, the Boston Red Sox play in Fenway Park. It’s only 310 ft to the fence in left field. However, it has a wall that’s 37 ft high. Don’t you think pitchers take that into account when they are deciding their pitching strategy? Of course.
These are some examples of great questions to ask yourself when scoping out the baseball field dimensions at the next park you pitch at.
1. How Deep are the Outfield Walls?
If there's a short porch to any field, you may not challenge hitters to hit it to that part of the field.
Challenge hitters to go to the deepest parts of the park if they can. Most of the time they can’t and your outfielders will catch their flyballs.
2. How much foul ground is there?
The more foul territory there is the more room for fielders to catch foul fly balls.
3. How far is the backstop from the plate?
If the backstop is not far from the catcher and the plate, you can be more aggressive with your pitches. If the ball gets past the catcher he doesn’t have far to go to retrieve it. Runners are less likely to be aggressive on pass balls and wild pitches if there is room for the ball to get away.
If the backstop is a long way, you will be more careful not to lose control of breaking pitches. You’ll also communicate with your catcher about making sure he blocks everything in the dirt.
4. Which way is the wind blowing?
Always check the wind. If it’s blowing out, you know to be extra careful in keeping the ball down. If it’s blowing in, you can be more aggressive in challenging weaker hitters with fastballs.
5. What’s the slope of the mound?
If you can hardly tell there is a pitching mound because it’s so low, be prepared for a flatter trajectory of your fastball.
If the mound looks like it angles straight down, be prepared to increase the tempo of your hands during the delivery and be aware of the need to stay back a little longer.
6. How does the bullpen mound compare to the game mound?
If the bullpen mound is steep and the game mound is flat, you need to be prepared for that before the game starts. You don’t want to be surprised when you go out for the first pitch and let that affect your mental state.
7. What’s the playing surface like?
Check out the infield and outfield grass.
If the infield grass is really short, then you know ground balls will get to the outfield quicker and balls hit in the gaps will probably get to the fence.
If the infield grass is really high, then you know it will slow the ball down considerably. This means infielders will have to get rid of the ball quicker when fielding ground balls hit by faster runners.
But it also means the more ground balls you throw the better chance your fielders have of fielding them and getting outs.
These are some simple things to look for in regards to baseball field dimensions. Different parks require different strategies. Be prepared before you step on the mound for the first pitch and there’s no doubt you will have the advantage.
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