Outfield Walls & Padding: How They're Made

Introduction to Our Baseball Equipment Series

Welcome to our exciting series about how baseball equipment is made! In each article, we explore different items used in baseball and learn about the materials and steps that go into making them. From bats and balls to gloves and bases, we're covering it all. Today, we're looking at outfield walls and padding - important safety features at every baseball field.

What Are Outfield Walls and Padding?

Outfield walls are the tall barriers that mark the edge of the baseball field. They separate the playing area from the stands and show where a home run happens. The padding that covers these walls is very important - it protects players who might crash into the wall while trying to catch a fly ball. Without padding, players could get seriously hurt when they hit the hard wall surface.

Basic Materials

Outfield walls and their padding are made from several key materials:

• Concrete or brick - for the main wall structure
• Steel posts - to support the wall
• High-density foam - for the padding
• Weather-resistant vinyl covering - to protect the padding
• Wood or metal frames - to attach padding to walls
• Strong adhesives and fasteners - to keep everything together

How the Wall Structure is Built

The process begins with the wall itself. Construction crews first dig deep holes for the foundation. Then they place steel support posts into these holes and secure them with concrete. These posts will hold up the entire wall structure.

Next, workers build the actual wall between these posts. Most modern ballparks use concrete panels or brick walls. Some smaller fields might use wood or chain-link fencing materials instead. The walls are usually between 8 and 12 feet tall, depending on the ballpark's design.

Once the base structure is complete, workers install the attachment points for the padding. These might be metal brackets or wooden frames secured directly to the wall surface.

Creating the Padding

The padding that protects players is made in factories specializing in sports safety equipment. The process starts with large blocks of high-density foam. This special foam absorbs impact energy when a player hits the wall.

Workers cut the foam blocks into the right shapes and sizes using large cutting machines. The foam pieces need to match the dimensions of the wall sections they will cover.

Next comes the covering. The foam by itself wouldn't last long outdoors, so it needs protection. Workers wrap each foam section in weather-resistant vinyl. This vinyl comes in many colors to match team colors. The vinyl is stretched over the foam and sewn tightly with strong thread or sealed with heat welding machines.

To make the padding even stronger, workers add reinforced grommets (metal rings) along the edges. These help attach the padding securely to the wall structure.

Installation Process

When the padding reaches the baseball field, installation begins. Workers carefully measure and mark the wall to ensure proper placement. The padding sections are then attached to the mounting brackets on the wall using heavy-duty bolts, straps, or a special track system.

The sections must fit tightly together without gaps that could catch a player's hand or foot. At the bottom, the padding usually extends all the way to the warning track (the dirt area in front of the wall).

After installation, maintenance crews regularly check the padding for damage and make repairs when needed. The vinyl covering might need to be replaced every few years because of sun damage and weather exposure.

Conclusion

Outfield walls and padding are carefully designed to balance player safety with durability. The next time you watch a player make an amazing catch against the wall, you can appreciate all the work that went into making that collision as safe as possible!