Building a baseball field in your backyard is ideal, especially if you want to train your kids or are a baseball team coach. It is also a great way to spend time with your family on the weekends. With these positive things, the question is; What are the main areas in building a baseball field, and how much does it cost?
Large baseball fields can cost millions, although the starting price is around $15,000. When building a field, you need to measure its surface, level the ground, and create the outfield and infield. Seats, fences, and lighting are also important for the audience and players.
In this article, we will discuss the costs of building a backyard baseball field. We will tackle the recommended size of the playing field, as well as the leveling costs, outfield, and infield.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Baseball Field in Your Backyard?
The cost of building a baseball field starts from $15,000. Generally, the total expenses are affected by the size, design, condition, and materials of the field, as well as the labor. For a backyard, you are guaranteed to spend less than for a stadium’s field.
Playing Field
The first thing you should do when calculating the total cost of building a baseball field is measure its surface. Your baseball field will be smaller than those you see in tournaments since this one will be established in your backyard. We also advise you to know the total surface area of your yard so you can estimate the size of the field you can build in it.
A backyard baseball field usually measures 330 feet from the home plate to the home run fence in the foul lines. There is a 400-foot space between the home plate up and the middle of the home run fence. The diamond, or the area surrounded by the home plate or bases, is about 90 square feet.
After you assess the aforementioned areas in your backyard, provide extra space at the back of the home plate and outer parts of the foul lines. You can adjust the size of the field’s areas if you don’t have enough space in your backyard for the recommended measurements. Note that a bigger field equals a higher total cost.
Leveling
The next step consists of leveling the ground of the baseball field. A flat ground prevents accidents from rocky and uneven grounds, especially if the field is intended for kids. You can also guarantee that you can completely drain the water brought about by rain or cleaning.
In leveling your backyard for a field, you need to prepare a budget for the labor, vehicles, and equipment. Some experts may require you to use vehicles, while others will need huge equipment. In the end, it depends on the size of the baseball field you’re going to build. The common costing for labor per square foot is ranging from 20 to 30 cents.
To ensure it fits your budget, you should check the exact measurements of the area that you want to level. The price to level is affected by the slope of the ground, trees’ or plants’ roots, and any other obstacles that you need to remove. These factors will add up to their work, which will impact the total labor cost.
Outfield
The outfield is another huge area of a baseball field where the outfielders play. This part of the field is made of artificial turf and thick grasses. You will need grass seeds to grow in this area.
There are several types and brands of grass seeds that you can opt for. Some outfields are associated with Kentucky Bluegrass, while others use Bermuda grasses. Usually, a mixture of these two grass types with Perennial Ryegrass is the best combination for baseball fields.
A price between $90 and $170 for an outfield measuring 1,000 sq. ft. and below is the estimated budget for the seeding labor. Although this is a backyard baseball field, the wide measurement will still require you to hire people for this job. You can also top it with grass, which represents an added cost.
For sod installation, the estimated budget per square foot ranges from 90 cents to $2. This is an ideal option if you want to instantly have the grass for the field. Planting and growing grass seeds will take time, while sod installation can make the work quicker. Another thing you should keep in mind is the labor cost for experts that will work on the installation. The average ranges from $45 up to $75 per hour. Of course, if you have the expertise to do it yourself, doing so will lower your expenses.
Infield
The infield of the baseball field is the opposite of the outfield as it is the area of the field that contains dirt or clay. If the grass installation or seeds have a price, using topsoil for this area of the field can also cost you money. The common cost of the topsoil per cubic yard is $20, and you also need to pay for the delivery, for which the cost will depend on your location.
For an 18-foot pitcher’s mound, you need another 4 cubic yards of soil, meaning that aside from the soil you’ll use in the infield, you should also add separate cubic yards of soil solely for the pitcher’s mound.
Clay is more expensive than standard soil. The cost per cubic yard ranges from $35 up to $40. Although, you can take advantage of this type of soil since it can hamper the growth of weeds, which usually grow with soil. It also lessens the maintenance since you don’t need to weed the area regularly.
If you are someone who enjoys playing sports, having a sports court in your own backyard may be a good idea for you. Of course, building one will not be free. How much does a backyard sport court cost? Read our article to find out.
Other Features You May Add
If your budget permits it, these are the extra features that you may add to your backyard baseball field to make it even better.
Fencing
To install a fence around the outfield and at the back of the home, a plate is recommended. This can help prevent accidents caused by the balls due to misdirected hard pitches. Since the baseball field is established in your yard, you need protection for your house and cars.
The linear foot for a fence installation costs $5 to $50 but depends on the type of materials you will use. The most affordable type is snow fencing, although you can also choose composite and chain link fencing, which are more expensive.
Seating
A baseball game will attract an audience and you need to provide them with seats while they’re watching. As the game may last long, you must also allocate baseball dugouts for the players. Tree stumps and aluminum benches are good choices for them.
We also recommend investing in retractable bleachers. High school bleachers cost $100 to $500 per seat, while the huge ones used in stadiums cost somewhere around $1,000 per seat.
Another great option to provide the audience and players with shelter against sunlight is to establish baseball awnings. The cost for these starts around $250 and depends on the type and size of materials you use.
Lighting
To continue the baseball match at night, you should also prepare lighting. Although you can carry this task alone, the height might require your assistance and professionals. Hire an electrician to install the lines and lights for the whole field.
Conclusion
Playing baseball with your family on weekends is a great way for you to bond and get some exercise. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of travelling to a baseball field every time you decide to have a family game, why not build one in your own backyard? Building a backyard baseball field is undeniably expensive, but the advantages and entertainment you can get from it are priceless.
Cost of construction is one of the most important things that you need to consider when building a baseball field. The factors that most impact the total expenses of the construction are the size of the field, materials used, and labor cost. Although you can choose cheaper materials to lessen the total cost, costly ones are dependable and high-quality.