DOUGLAS BASEBALL INSTALLATION & SAFETY MANUAL www.douglaspads.com 800.695.7237
SLIDE WARNING PRECAUTION DOUGLAS ADVISES: Douglas advises all potential users of Douglas Base and Home Plate products that these items are to be used ONLY as a reference point on a baseball/softball diamond. They have not been developed or manufactured to be used in conjunction with sliding. To reinforce this concept, Douglas directs your attention to the following WARNING STATEMENTS. Sliding is a potentially dangerous maneuver. Injuries can and do occur when sliding is practiced, even without the presence of a base or home plate. Sliding is synonymous with injury. These injuries range from simple contusions, broken bones, and in some instances, permanent paralysis. HIGHLY SKILLED PLAYERS use a variety of sliding techniques, including the hook slide, the stand-up slide, the head-first slide, and the fade slide. Players can easily confuse the different techniques and find their body is out of control, which causes injuries to frequently occur. SLIDING SKILLS are often first learned in youth leagues under the guidance of a volunteer coach. These coaches do not always have the necessary background to teach proper sliding techniques. Poor sliding techniques can lead to injury. PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PLAYERS are sometimes injured when sliding on fields that are professionally maintained. At much greater risk are non-professional players sliding on fields that are not maintained at a professional level. 2
Players, coaches, and umpires are all responsible for checking the playing field conditions before and during the game. Intoxication seriously increases the risk of injury when participating in competitive team sports. Players who choose to slide into a base or home plate risk the probability of potential injury. Some common pitfalls of sliding include: 1. SLIDING TOO LATE Sliding force is dictated by the basic physics formula of Force = Mass x Acceleration. 2. HITTING THE GROUND WITH THE ENTIRE BODY WEIGHT CENTERED ON ONE AREA (i.e. knee, chest, or face) as opposed to spreading the impact over a large area (i.e. thighs or buttocks). 3. THE BODY TENDS TO ROLL WHILE SLIDING A limb (arm or leg) can easily be entrapped under the body. Frequently when this occurs, severe injury may result. 4. IMPROPERLY INSTALLED BASES AND HOME PLATE, AND INADEQUATELY MAINTAINED FIELD CONDITIONS Installers of field equipment should follow the manufacturer s installation and safety instructions. Douglas includes Installation and Safety instruction sheets with all Douglas products shipped from the factory. Those players who choose to make sliding an integral part of the game may wish to minimize the risk of injury by using a simple throw down base. NOTICE: The purchaser and/or installer of this product is responsible for advising the end user of the possibility of injury while sliding into the base or home plate. The installer and/or purchaser shall read and follow safety and installation instructions packaged with this product. 3
FIELD LAYOUTS for Baseball, Softball, Little League, Mustang, Pony, Bronco, Shetland and Pinto 90' Baseball 90' Baseball Field Field Grass Line 320' minimum to fence 320' minimum to fence 95' Coach's Box 10' x 20' 90' 6' 90' 127' 3-3/8" from apex to center of second base from apex to front of rubber 90' 9' radius around center of mound. Baseball mound height above home plate: 10". 45' basepath widens Foul Line 45' 8' 4' On-Deck Circle 17" 1 radius around apex 8 1 /2" from apex to backstop 5' The on-deck circle should be to the side and away from home plate 37' if space allows. 43" Catcher s and Batter s Boxes Home Plate 8 1 /2" 24" Pitching Plate 4
softball Field Softball Field Fast Pitch Women s College Field for dimensions of other fields, see chart below Grass Line 200' minimum to fence 200' minimum to fence 50' Coach's Box 4' x 8' 6' 84' 10-1/4" from apex to center of second base 8' radius around center of mound. Pitching rubber is set 18" back from center. 4 from apex to front of rubber 30' 30' basepath widens Foul Line 4' 10' On-Deck Circle 17" 15' radius around apex 8 1 /2" 25' from apex to backstop 5' The on-deck circle should be to the side and away from home plate 37' if space allows. 8 1 /2" 8' 5" 24" Catcher s and Batter s Boxes Home Plate Pitching Plate Distance Table Distance Table Adult Division Bases Pitching Min. Fence Max. Fence Fast Pitch Women (High School) (18.29m) 40' (12.19m) 200' (60.96m) 250' (76.20m) Women (College) (18.29m) 4 (13.11m) 200' (60.96m) 250' (76.20m) Men (18.29m) 46' (14.02m) 225' (68.58m) 250' (76.20m) Modified Pitch Women (18.29m) 40' (12.19m) 200' (60.96m) Men (18.29m) 46' (14.02m) 265' (80.80m) Slow Pitch Women 65' (19.81m) 50' (15.24m) 265' (80.80m) 275' (83.82m) Men 65' (19.81m) 50' (15.24m) 275' (83.82m) 315' (96.01m) Coed 65' (19.81m) 50' (15.24m) 275' (83.82m) 300' (91.44m) Super 65' (19.81m) 50' (15.24m) 325' (99.06m) 16-Inch Slow Pitch Women 55' (16.76m) 38' (11.58m) 200' (60.96m) Men 55' (16.76m) 38' (11.58m) 250' (76.20m) 14-Inch Slow Pitch Women and Men (18.29m) 46' (14.02m) Youth Division Bases Pitching Min. Fence Max. Fence Slow Pitch Girls & Boys 10-under 55' (16.76m) 35' (10.76m) 150' (45.72m) 175' (53.34m) Girls & Boys 12-under (16.76m) 40' (12.19m) 175' (53.34m) 200' (60.96m) Girls 14-under 65' (19.81m) 46' (14.02m) 225' (68.58m) 250' (76.20m) Boys 14-under 65' (19.81m) 46' (14.02m) 250' (76.20m) 275' (83.82m) Girls 16-under 65' (19.81m) 50' (15.24m) 225' (68.58m) 250' (76.20m) Boys 16-under 65' (19.81m) 50' (15.24m) 275' (83.82m) 300' (91.44m) Girls 18-under 65' (19.81m) 50' (15.24m) 225' (68.58m) 250' (76.20m) Boys 18-under 65' (19.81m) 50' (15.24m) 275' (83.82m) 300' (91.44m) Fast Pitch Girls & Boys 10-under 55' (16.76m) 35' (10.76m) 150' (45.72m) 175' (53.34m) Girls 12-under (18.29m) 35' (10.76m) 175' (53.34m) 200' (60.96m) Boys 12-under (18.29m) 40' (12.19m) 175' (53.34m) 200' (60.96m) Girls 14-under (18.29m) 40' (12.19m) 175' (53.34m) 200' (60.96m) Boys 14-under (18.29m) 46' (14.02m) 175' (53.34m) 200' (60.96m) Girls 16-under (18.29m) 40' (12.19m) 200' (60.96m) 225' (68.58m) Boys 16-under (18.29m) 46' (14.02m) 200' (60.96m) 225' (68.58m) Girls 18-under (18.29m) 40' (12.19m) 200' (60.96m) 225' (68.58m) 6 Boys 18-under (18.29m) 46' (14.02m) 200' (60.96m) 225' (68.58m) 5
little league Field Grass Line 200' minimum to fence 200' minimum to fence 50' Coach's Box 4' x 8' 6' 84' 10-1/4" from apex to center of second base 46' from apex to front of rubber 5' radius around center of mound. Baseball mound height above home plate:. 30' basepath widens Foul Line 30' 2 1 /2' 2 1 /2' 8' On-Deck Circle 17" 9' radius around apex 8 1 /2" 25' from apex to backstop 5' The on-deck circle should be to the side and away from home plate 37' if space allows. 43" Catcher s and Batter s Boxes Home Plate 8 1 /2" 18" Pitching Plate 4" ustang eague mustang league Field e Grass Line 175' minimum to fence 175' minimum to fence 50' Bases: Mustang Baseball Bronco Softball Pony Softball Colt Softball Palomino Softball Coach s Pitching: Box Mustang Baseball 44' Bronco Softball 40' (Slow Pitch) Pony Softball 46' (Fast Pitch) Colt Softball 46' (Fast Pitch) Palomino Softball 46' (Fast Pitch) 4' x 8' 6' 84' 10" from apex to center of second base 4-1/2' radius around center of mound. Baseball mound height above home plate: 4". 40'-44'-46' from apex to front of rubber 30' 30' basepath widens Foul Line 8' 4' On-Deck Circle 17" 10' radius around apex 20' from apex to backstop 5' 43" Catcher s and Batter s Boxes Home Plate 24" Pitching Plate 6
80' pony league Field Grass Line 265' minimum to fence 265' minimum to fence 80' Coach's Box 16' 12' 80' 80' 11 2" from apex to center of second base 54' from apex to front of rubber 80' 7-1/2' radius around center of mound. Baseball mound height above home plate: 8". 40' basepath widens Foul Line 40' 8' 4' On-Deck Circle 17" 12' radius around apex 40' from apex to backstop 5' 43" Catcher s and Batter s Boxes Home Plate 24" Pitching Plate 70' Bronco league Field Grass Line 225' minimum to fence 225' minimum to fence 65' Coach's Box 12' 6' 70' 70' 99' from apex to center of second base 70' 6' radius around center of mound. Baseball mound height above home plate:. 48' from apex to front of rubber 35' basepath widens Foul Line 35' 8' 4' On-Deck Circle 17" 11' radius around apex 30' from apex to backstop 5' 43" Catcher s and Batter s Boxes Home Plate 24" Pitching Plate 7
50' Shetland and Pinto league Field Grass Line 125' minimum to fence 125' minimum to fence 50' Bases: Pinto Baseball 50' Shetland Softball 55' Pinto Softball 55' Mustang Softball 55' Pitching: Pinto Baseball 38' Shetland Softball 35' Pinto Softball 35' Mustang Softball 35' Coachí s Box 4' x 8' 6' 50' and 55' 50' 70' 8-1/2" from apex to center of second base 50' and 55' 4-1/2' radius around center of mound. Baseball mound height above home plate: 4". 35' and 38' from apex to front of rubber 25' basepath widens Foul Line 25' 8' 4' On-Deck Circle 17" 10' radius around apex 20' from apex to backstop 5' The on-deck circle should be to the side and away from home plate 37' if space allows. 43" Catcher s and Batter s Boxes Home Plate 24" Pitching Plate 8
DOUGLAS HEAVY DUTY BATTING TEE Sku# DBF-BTHO Assembly Instructions Insert top tube into the base tube adjusting height as needed. Attach base tube into anchor as shown. Tighten screw to hold unit firmly in place. STATEMENT OF POLICY: The user assumes all risk entailed in actions, since Douglas cannot guarantee freedom from injury. Use of this equipment cannot prevent serious injury or death. Sporting events are dangerous in nature and the Participant assumes ALL RISKS therein. It is the Dealer/Distributors responsibility to pass this information to the consumer. All equipment is sold on this condition and by no means can any representative waive or alter this position. 9
DOUGLAS BASE INSTALLATION DOUGLAS PRO STYLE BASE SET Sku# DBF-BSPS WARNING: The purchaser of these products should take warning that a deviation from the installation instructions could increase the risk of injury to game participants. Figure 1 Note: Top of Female Base Ground Anchor should be 1" below ground level. Top of Female Base Ground Anchor should be 1" below ground level. 1" 3" GROUND LEVEL 9" 5" 10
Figure 2 Note: Installer shall make sure bottom of the base is 1 below playing surface. Top of Female Base Ground Anchor should be 1" below ground level. 1" 3" 9" 5" WARNING: Douglas Base Top Anchor (DBF-BSPS) must extend a FULL 3 into the Douglas Female Base Ground Anchor (DBF-FGA). Figure 3 Note: Douglas Base Top Anchor (DBF-BSPS) must extend a FULL 3 into the Douglas Female Base Ground Anchor (DBF-FGA). 1" CORRECT 3" INCORRECT 3" WARNING: Installer shall make sure bottom of the base is 1 below playing surface. 11
DOUGLAS BURY ALL HOME PLATE Sku# DBF-HPBA WARNING: Installer shall make sure top of home plate is level with playing surface. Figure 4 PLAYING SURFACE SAVE-A-LEG HOME PLATE Sku# DBF-HPSL (Five 4 metal spikes included) WARNING: Installer shall make sure top of home plate is level with playing surface. Figure 5 PLAYING SURFACE 12
Douglas Pitching Rubbers Sku # DBF-PR4S18 & DBF-PR4S24, DBF-PRSD18 & DBF-PRSD24 WARNING: Installer shall make sure pitcher s rubber is level with the playing surface. Figure 6 PLAYING SURFACE 10" PLAYING SURFACE 13
OFFICIAL PITCHER S RUBBER Sku# DBF-PRO18 & DBF-PRO24 (Three metal spikes included) WARNING: Installer shall make sure pitcher s rubber is level with the playing surface. PIN DOWN PITCHERS RUBBER Sku# DBF-PRPD18 & DBF-PRPD24 (Four metal spikes included) Figure 7 PLAYING SURFACE PLAYING SURFACE 14