ON-FIELD HOW-TO
Setting the Pitching Rubber |
S T E P - B Y- S T E P Rubber twisted
There are 4 key parameters that have to be right — elevation, distance, levelness, and square.
1/4"
When a half inch becomes two feet.
A pitching rubber that is just slightly turned by ¼" on a Major League mound will move the centerline off-center from home plate by 1.15°, or 14½". A rubber that is twisted just a little more to a ½" will throw the centerline off by 2.39°, or more than 2 ½ feet! That messes with a pitcher’s mechanics and increases wear on their arm as they work to compensate for the misalignment.
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T HE ULT I M AT E BA L L F I E L D R E S OUR C E
1/2"
A pitching rubber twisted as little as a half inch skews the home plate centerline by more than 2 ½ feet.
Ever stood on a pitching mound and noticed the rubber was twisted? While most might think that it is not a big deal, ask a pitcher, a pitching coach, or a trainer how even a minor twist can have major effects on a pitcher’s mechanics.
The apex of home plate is the benchmark of a ballfield. Everything is laid out based on its placement. The pitching mound and its rubber are equally critical for a pitcher.
Rubber twisted
Centerline off by:
1' 2 ½"
Centerline off by:
2' 6¼"
