Why the University of Minnesota’s head softball coach chose Pitching Mats by Portolite

Piper Ritter, head softball coach for the University of Minnesota, at one time nailed pitching mounds in place before indoor practice or play. Then she turned to Portolite, and found a spiked mat that always stays put and her players love!

“Our pitchers prefer to land on the turf they will be playing on, so for years I cut mounds up so they would land on turf,” Ritter says. “Pitchers want to feel secure when they land, and they were worried about mounds moving unless I nailed them down.”

She also didn’t like the “lips” that often form with other mounds, especially for grounders.

Portolite’s Pro Spiked Game Mat eliminates those worries.

The mat features 7,000 spikes to keep pitcher’s feet firmly in place. There’s no slipping, sliding or bunching. A longer, wider design means the mat offers greater stride length and room to move.

“We used the Portolite mound for fall and winter practice and scrimmages,” Ritter says. “Our pitchers had no problems with it. They felt safe on it.”

It’s also designed to protect synthetic fields. That comes into for the U of M Gophers, who have a game scheduled at the U.S. Bank Stadium in March.

U.S. Bank is home to the Minnesota Vikings. The stadium cost more than $1 billion to build and opened in 2016.

The stadium’s turf cost millions, and the National Football League is particular about what type of softball or baseball mounds are allowed on the field.

“They weren’t going to let us come in and nail our mound down,” Ritter says. “I began doing research for quality portable mounds.”

Lori Meyer, head softball coach for Minnesota State, praised Portolite – so Ritter gave the Softball Mat a try.

When her players gave a thumbs up, she approached U.S. Bank Stadium officials. They said the Pitching Mat meets their strict standards and the U of M could use the mat in March.

“Their biggest concern was foot dragging on dirt or turf,” Ritter says. “They see we have a heavy foot. With this mat we don’t have to worry about impacting their turf and our players will feel safe and comfortable.”

The Pro Spiked Mat is 11 feet long and 4 feet wide. Customers can choose green, red or purple turf colors.

This durable mat stands up to extreme wear and tear, and the elements. Lane stripes are designed for collegiate play.

As softball gets better, players get better, Ritter says: “I think the key is to make the playing surfaces as safe as possible.”

Portolite Pitching Mound’s limited warranty says it all. Portolite has set the standard in lightweight, durable and portable pitching mounds since 1992. Our full line of baseball pitching mounds and softball mats has an option for every league, facility, team, or individual player.