Pitcher's mounds!
They need constant maintenance after every game and after every practice. The associated pictures show a 5 year old pitcher's mound professionally installed with a special hard mound clay material that lacked the daily attention that is required to maintain a firm yet giving landing area and a 2' area around the pitching rubber needed so that when your pitcher steps off to pick a baserunner he is not falling off the mound.
The landing "depression " was chipped out to accommodate the new clay brick installation. New bricks were installed and compacted. A 1/4" of infield mix was applied.
The 2' area around the pitching rubber was restored by removing the dusty mix from the area first. Next we sprayed water to the firm sub grade area so that the new mix would bond with the existing. We then added mix and compacted in lifts with a vibratory tamper until the proper elevation and slope on the mound was attained.
This procedure greatly reduces the amount of maintance needed on a daily basis to keep your mound playable.
Regular Mound Maintenance
After every mound use, the dust should be bloomed out of the landing area. Then, spray the landing area lightly with water. Next add mix that looks damp with moisture content and tamp into place. This daily (or at least 2-3 times a week) procedure will keep those clay bricks intact and your mound playable.
