Baseball and Softball Turf
Ekip Grass supplies infilled synthetic turf for baseball and softball fields: green turf for the outfield and infield, brown or tan turf for the skin and base paths, and short-pile turf for batting cages. A turf field drains through the surface, so it does not need the dragging, watering and re-lining of a clay infield. Baseball wears a few spots very hard, and the layout plans for them.
- 90 ft27.43 m between bases
- Inlaid coloursSkin, base paths, warning track
- InsertsReplaceable at home plate and the mound
Short answer
Full turf or part turf?
- Least daily work: a full-turf field with brown turf on the skin and base paths needs no dragging, watering or re-lining.
- Pitchers who want clay: keep a natural clay mound and home plate area and use turf everywhere else.
- Fields shared with football: full turf with portable mounds converts fastest between seasons.
Field layouts
Three ways to lay out a turf field
Full turf
Every surface is synthetic. Brown or tan turf replaces the clay skin and base paths, and the mound and home plate area are turf too, built with replaceable inserts where the wear is heaviest.
This removes most daily field preparation, and play can resume after rain once the drains have cleared the water.
Turf with clay mound
A clay mound and home plate area stay natural and everything else is turf. Many pitchers prefer the feel of clay under the landing foot.
The clay areas still need daily care, but far less than a full clay infield.
Training and cages
Batting cages, bullpens and indoor practice rooms use a short, dense turf that takes thousands of balls in the same place. It can be laid over concrete or a stable base.
Our Dogu Grass is made in piles from 20 mm for this kind of short-pile use.
Side by side
Field options compared
| Full turf | Turf with clay mound | Clay infield | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily preparation | Brushing, infill checks | Mound and plate only | Dragging, watering, re-lining |
| After rain | Play once drains clear | Turf drains; clay must dry | Clay must dry or stay covered |
| Heaviest wear | Replaceable inserts | Clay areas repaired by hand | Whole skin |
| Multi-sport use | Easiest, with portable mounds | Possible | Limited |
| Colours | Inlaid brown, tan and green | Inlaid green and brown | Natural clay |
Testing
There is no single baseball turf certificate
Football has the FIFA Quality Programme and hockey has the FIH programme, but there is no single global turf certification for baseball. Owners and leagues specify laboratory and field tests instead.
In the United States, the impact attenuation of an installed field is commonly measured to ASTM F1936. Some leagues also set rules on infill type and colour. Tell us which tests your league or tender requires and we plan the turf and infill to suit.
- League rulesCheck infill type, colours and line requirements.
- Laboratory dataTurf and infill are specified against the tender values.
- Field testImpact attenuation is measured on the finished field where required.
- Re-checkInfill depth is checked over time at the wear points.
Planning
Diamond dimensions
A baseball diamond has 90 ft (27.43 m) between bases, and the front of the pitcher's plate is 60 ft 6 in (18.44 m) from the back point of home plate. Softball diamonds are smaller, with 60 ft (18.29 m) between bases. Outfield fence distances are not fixed by a single rule, so we take them from your field plan.
| Between bases, baseball | 90 ft · 27.43 m |
|---|---|
| Pitcher's plate to home | 60 ft 6 in · 18.44 m |
| Between bases, softball | 60 ft · 18.29 m |
| Outfield fence | From your field plan |
| Turf zones | Outfield, skin, paths, inserts |
From plan to first pitch
How we build a turf baseball field
Field plan
We take the base distances, fence lines and the sports that will share the field.
Base and drainage
The base is graded to a shallow slope with collector drains under the turf.
Turf zones
Outfield, infield, skin and base paths are laid in their colours.
Inserts and lines
Inserts go in at home plate and the mound landing area; lines are inlaid.
Handover
You receive the care plan, including infill top-up at the wear points.
Maintenance
Turf baseball field care
Everyday care
Brush to keep fibres upright and infill level. Remove sunflower seed shells, gum and debris after games.
Wear points
Check and top up infill at the bases, home plate and the mound landing area, and inspect inserts and inlaid lines for loose edges.
Other sports
Surfaces for other sports
Questions
Questions about baseball and softball turf
Can a turf baseball field be played after rain?
Usually yes, once surface water has drained. Rain passes through the perforated turf backing into the base and drainage pipes, so there is no infield clay to dry out or cover with a tarp. The speed of recovery depends on the base design and drain spacing. Play should still stop in lightning or if the surface floods from a blocked drain.
What infill is used on baseball turf?
Most baseball turf uses a sand base layer with a rubber or other performance infill on top, as on football fields. Infill depth is often higher in sliding areas. The choice affects ball bounce, sliding comfort and surface temperature. Some leagues have rules on infill type or colour, so we confirm them before specifying.
How do we maintain a turf baseball field?
Brush the field regularly and top up infill at the bases, home plate and mound landing area, where it moves fastest. After games, clear away sunflower seed shells, gum and debris. Check inlaid lines and inserts for loose edges. A powered grooming session a few times a year helps keep the infill loose.
Can the same field be used for other sports?
Yes. Many turf baseball fields are shared with football in the off-season, with lines in a different colour for each sport. The outfield turf needs to suit both uses, and portable mounds make conversion easier. Plan the line layout and pile height with all sports in mind before the turf is tufted.
What should we send for a quote?
Send a field plan with the base distances and outfield fence lines, the location and the condition of the existing ground. Tell us whether the skin and mound will be turf or clay, if batting cages or bullpens are included, and whether the field will be shared with other sports.
Planning a turf baseball field?
Send us the field plan and the location. We reply with the turf zones, the build-up and a quote.
- Field plan and fence lines
- Country and city
- Turf or clay mound
- Cages and bullpens
- Other sports on the field