True Pitch, INC
620 8th ST SW Altoona, Iowa 50009
1-800-647-3539
How to install
FLEX-A-CLAY
®
Congratulations on choosing to use Flex-A-Clay® as a surface for your infield, home plate area,
and the pitching mound. The correct installation and maintenance of Flex-A-Clay® will
enhance the consistent performance of your baseball or softball fields and will significantly
reduce your upkeep time. Whether you are applying to a new field or remodeling a ball field,
Flex-A-Clay® will bind nicely to native soils and is east to install – following these directions. If
at any time you have a question, please call the office.
Questions? Call 1-800-647-3539 or (515) 967-2303
Reconstructing a Baseball Pitcher’s Mound using
Flex-A-Clay®.
Mound specifications for high school fields
through the major leagues call for a mound circle that
is 18 feet in diameter and the top of the pitcher’s
rubber 10 inches higher than home plate. For youth
leagues, consult the rule book of the governing
organization. Refer to diagram for pitching mound
layout.
Check to make sure the rubber measures 60’ 6” from
the back of home plate to the front edge of the rubber
and is 10 inches above home plate. With the rubber
properly located now you need to measure an 18 foot
pitcher’s circle. Measure 18 inches directly out in
front of the pitcher’s rubber and drive a spike.
REMEMBER, ON A 90’ FIELD, THE CENTER OF
THE MOUND IS 18” IN FRONT OF THE
RUBBER. With a string or a tape, measure out
exactly 9 feet from the spike and circle the entire
mound marking the outline. This will give you an
18’ diameter circle
Dig out 4 inches of material in the pitching lane.
Remove 2 inches of material from the rest of the
mound to provide for a 2” cap of Flex-A-Clay®.
Most fields I apply 4 inches of clay but on college
fields I will use 6 inches of clay.
After the proper depths have been excavated and all
the pitching mound measurements are exact, you are
now ready for the application of Flex-A-Clay®. I
usually begin by building the pitching platform.
When building this platform, care must be taken not
to disturb the location of the pitcher’s rubber. I mark
the table area with either steaks or you can assemble
a wooden frame. See picture below and notice the
steaks.
REMEMBER TO MOISTEN AREA PRIOR TO
APPLYING FLEX-A-CLAY® TO THE MOUND.
When applying Flex-A-Clay®, you must mix the
clay with water either in a wheelbarrow or a mixer.
You can also pour the dry clay right from the bag
onto your surface and add water and mix with a rake
until it is thoroughly mixed. EACH BAG NEEDS
APPROXIMATELY ½ GALLON OF WATER
FOR THE RIGHT RATIO.
With the clay thoroughly mixed, place it on the table
and spread evenly and tamp into place. Tamp the
clay in 2 inch layers and moisten. (Covering your
tamp with heavy-duty black construction bags
prevents the clay from sticking to the tamp)
After the table is built, I start applying the clay in
the pitcher’s lane. Moisten the excavated area, place
the mixed clay in the lane, spread around and tamp.
Repeat this procedure until you get 4 inches of clay
throughout the entire pitching lane.
CAPPING THE REST OF THE MOUND
Moisten the rest of the mound. Apply a 2 inch
layer of Flex-A-Clay® and tamp. This final clay
application should bring the profile of the mound to
official dimensions. An adequate amount of drying
time is needed before using the mound. The amount
of time varies but generally a period of 24 up to 72
hours is needed. During this “curing process” the
mound will look like this….
After the clay has hardened, water generously and
lightly scratch (chicken scratch) the clay with a
garden rake and then tarp. You are ready to “PLAY
BALL!”
After each game or practice, lightly water the mound
and rake the area. Rake the displaced Flex-A-Clay®
back into its original position and tamp then lightly
moisten and cover with a tarp. Remove the tarp an
hour prior to game time the next day and you are
ready to pitch.
PROPER SLOPE FOR PITCHING MOUND
A key element in mound construction is a proper
slope for the front of the mound. The slope drops 1
inch for every 1 foot down the front of the mound to
the grass. The slope begins 6 inches in front of the
rubber. From that point, the mound drops 1 inch per
foot to the grass line. A slope gauge is crucial in this
measurement.
REMEMBER TO KEEP MOUND TARPED
WHEN NOT IN USE!!!
HOME PLATE AREA
Excavate the batter’s boxes and catcher’s box 4
inches. Mix the clay with water (remember ½ gallon
per 50lb bag) and tamp into boxes in 2 inch layers.
Then cover area with your infield surface. Flex-AClay® makes an ideal playing surface when played
directly on the surface without the use of topdressing.
Apply 4 inches in the batter’s and catcher’s area
and then apply a 2 inch cap of clay on the rest of the
home plate area. Use the same application guidelines
for the mound.
SOFTBALL FIELD APPLICATION
The installation of Flex-A-Clay® on the softball
pitching mound will enhance the consistent playing
performance of the pitching area and significantly
reduce your maintenance requirements. For
maximum performance, apply 4 inches (6inches on
college fields) in the pitcher’s lane and behind the
rubber. I usually create a 4’ x 8’ pitching lane in
front of the rubber. The same application guidelines
used in constructing baseball mounds also apply to
softball mounds.
FLEX-A-CLAY® MOUND REPAIR AFTER
GAMES
*sweep out loose product from holes with broom
*lightly water entire mound surface
*lightly scratch mound and pull clay into the holes
and tamp
*for a professional look, use a cocoa mat or a broom
and circular drag from outside perimeter to top of
mound
*moisten mound and tarp – remove tarp the next day
1 hour prior to game and “PLAY BALL!”
*use heavy duty trash bags to cover tamp to eliminate
clay from sticking to tamp
*getting the right water consistency will get easier
with practice – if mound is too wet, then rake in dry
Flex-A-Clay® to dry out
*never use “kitty litter” or other drying agents – just
add more Flex-A-Clay®