underground dugout design

i don't have a design, but over the years i have poured a few foundations for some.

the nicer ones i see have a 4 foot concrete wall poured to grade. usally about 3 steps down into the floor, then decorative block on top. concrete floor with a drain to daylite.

i probably didn't explain it well, but in the right place ( well draining so they don't flood)they look great.

What seems to be the best way to do the roof. In Sinton, Texas they have a beautiful example of a field with the roof of the dugout being concrete also. Just trying to find out if the rebar would be one piece from the floor to the roof and how many supports between. Thanks for the reply.

you may need to consult an engineer in your area. but i have pored suspended slabs, having a sonotube (in the open front) about every 10 feet. with an L bar coming out of the tube tied to the rebar mat on the roof.

so the roof sits on the wall on 3 sides and the tubes in the front. small pitch on the roof for rain. but if you use all concrete it can become an oven inside (heat sink). a coloring or something would help that.

or you use a lam-beam or steel beam in the front,and a wood frame with tin roof. cooler in the texas sun?

Four poles and a tarp!

You should consult your county's building inspection department, because while most older sunken dugouts don't have them, my guess is that any newly constructed sunken dugouts will have to have ADA ramps. The government will want the dugouts to be handicapped accessible. Who knows, someday your team manager may be wheelchair bound.

You will also need some sort of under drain system, unless you like standing water.

Personally, I don't think they're worth the trouble.

quote:

Personally, I don't think they're worth the trouble.

I agree with Midlo Dad...but those dugouts look great!

We are wanting to redo dugouts, concession, and restroom area, can someone post some pictures of great examples ?

That's a good looking dugout skipper. What kind / how does it drain? To me that is the issue of in ground dugouts is the drainage. In college we played at a community field that wasn't really kept up. The drains were clogged with dirt / debris and when it rained it was a lake in there. It would literally be about knee high. There were game where both teams never stepped foot into the dugout.

Those aren't mine. Just 2 random photos i pulled off Google... showing an exterior i liked and an interior... My guess is the wood floor one is ground level or yes they'd have drainage issue.
I've been to those games to when dugout is flooded; can get quite stinky too.

I gotcha and you are correct in that it can get stinky if it doesn't drain.