Buying Baseball Foul Poles – Get This Right!

Baseball Foul Poles & Softball Foul Poles – The Details!

Baseball foul poles & softball foul poles are generally chosen based on their height.
Here are other features you may want to consider since you will own these for a baseball-lifetime! 

Height
Think about why we have baseball foul poles and softball foul poles. To properly judge fair or foul, home run or not, it is the outfield fence distances that should dictate a lot of your choice. (When in doubt, go taller.

Baseball being baseball, there are no official height rules in the game, so there may be a lot of leeway in design, height, and build unless you have strict rules in your league, conference, or similar, such as the NCAA. Even MLB now has some insanely tall 50 ft. models with an 18-inch outside diameter at the base, tapering up to their peak! When considering different equipment, it’s also important to be aware of the baseball field’s fungo screen dimensions, as they can affect gameplay and training. Many teams opt for screens that meet these dimensions to maximize both visibility and protection during practice sessions. Choosing the right design not only adheres to any regulations but also enhances the overall safety and effectiveness of training activities.

12 ft & 15 Ft. Models – these fit most youth fields and those approaching 220 ft fences. I prefer the 20 ft. tall models for larger youth fields such as the official Little League 200 ft. fences (FYI: Little League World Series Fences are set at 225 ft.)

20, 30 & 40 Ft Models – This, again, tends to depend on the outfield fence distance to the plate. However, NCAA softball, for example, requires only a 10 ft. minimum height (as of this writing), though frankly, this looks ridiculous, so you generally will see the most popular size 20 ft. models in high school softball and baseball parks. For those looking to enhance their field setup, incorporating 4-inch pitching mound options can significantly improve gameplay dynamics. These mounds are designed to meet various league specifications, ensuring that players can perform at their best. Additionally, when selecting foul poles, it’s essential to consider visibility and safety features, which can further elevate the overall quality of the playing environment.

When in doubt, check your league handbook or with local officials for these choices (remember, returning a baseball foul pole set is going to be problematic and costly for the customer unless they are damaged in shipment). Additionally, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the proper equipment needed for your team. For instance, a cleat cleaner for baseball fields can be a valuable tool to maintain the cleanliness and safety of the playing surface. Proper maintenance not only enhances the game experience but also prolongs the lifespan of the equipment used.

Useable Height
Most foul poles are offered in heights ranging from the most common 12, 15, or 20 ft. to larger models. This, of course, refers to the finished product after installation, so they will likely add another 3 or 4 feet that are inserted in the ground or into ground sleeves (see below). 

Color 
A Hi-Visibility Optic Yellow is standard on baseball fields, and many times you see white or orange on softball fields (NCAA softball requirements as of this writing). Often, the optic yellow may be more traditional than mandated.

Material & Finish
Steel with a zinc undercoat seems to be the material of choice. Powder coating finish is what you should look for as the taller poles are not anything you would want to sand and repaint.

Diameter & Steel Gauge
The shorter 12, 15, or 20 ft. foul pole models are generally around 3 1/2 inch outside diameter steel tubing. Taller pro models from 20, 30, and 40 ft. range from 3 1/2 to huge 6 5/8 inch outside diameters, but also are built with the much heavier schedule 40 steel (think thicker walls) designed to resist wind loads up to an estimated 130 mp.h 

Foul Pole Wings
We include wing panels that are size-appropriate to each pole height. Our standard line includes zinc-coated and powder-coated, color-matched bolt-on wings made from perforated steel mesh, designed to let maximum wind through. Our pro foul pole sets include a heavier 11-gauge zinc-coated, powder-coated, hi-viz-color perforated steel that also allows as much wind to pass through as possible.

In-Ground Or Above Ground
Most foul pole models are installed in the ground. There are fewer available, which are bolted with their included footplate on/in a concrete surface. Note that these surface-mount above-ground models are available up to our largest 40 ft models and will add somewhere around $500 to the total cost.

Ground Sleeves Or No Ground Sleeves
In-ground models can be purchased as permanent installations or can be inserted in optional steel ground sleeves for a semi-permanent installation. For the odd chance that you may need to move them someday, ground sleeves may save your bacon.

Perhaps this is more than you cared to know, but I hope you gained at least some practical knowledge.

Give us a call when you need help or have any questions.