Looking for Dugout Plans

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The school board built us new ones in the fall - without talking to any of the coaches, naturally. While we are thankful for the new dugouts, we would have liked some say in the matter - positioning, size, etc. One thing they did that I don't like - they sunk them in the ground 2-3 feet. There is a drain that runs back 100' to the hill behind the field, but it won't be long before the drain is clogged with mud and sunflower seed shells. I'd make 'em ground level [or maybe a foot higher].

Windmill

Be thankful for smll favors and do not look a gift horse in the mouth-- accept it and relax

To what degree should a dugout offer protection for players from line drives and such?

We have a nice new dugout but the front is totally open. There are so many styles of HS dugouts. I'd like to see some fencing in front or at least a high enough wall for the kids on the bench to duck behind

Sinking the dugout is a great help in maintaining visibility for fans, plus uniformly, high school guys think it is "way cool". We just redid ours, making it bigger and deeper, and I wish it had been sunk. (the planning was over and done, and work started, before our grounds crew knew what hit us) The new lines interfere with some viewing, and I can't wait till mom #1 sits where she has been for 5 years, looks up, and sees the pitcher and infield, but not the batter. It's not gonna be pretty.....

A short fence at least in the front for protection is very helpful. I prefer netting, 6' high, for protection, but our high school coach wants it completely open....so it's completely open. After a line drive or two, I suspect it may change. Netting is far easier to look through than chain link.

When we built ours 2 years ago we went to a local college field and took measurements. Had the camera out and presented the athletic department with a complete presentation of what our ideas were. A few months later we actually got just what we were looking for. It was a huge surprise and we were very very happy.