Even those who have never experienced the American game of baseball can typically recognize the importance of the pitcher. The field itself, in fact, suggests this in a pointed, obvious way, with the pitcher standing atop the only raised surface on an otherwise flat field. Particularly as that mound lies right in the middle of the diamond described by the game's four bases, understanding the significance of the pitcher's role is easy for just about anyone to do.

Given the uniqueness and portable mound significance of what pitchers do in the sport of baseball, it is only appropriate that they would have some equally special equipment. For most pitchers, throwing from a flat surface is, at best, a way of warming up, with very few finding this an acceptable way of actually engaging in real practice. Because the experience of throwing from level ground is so different from that of pitching from atop a mound, in fact, some believe that it can even result in the loss of pitching skill if pursued for too long.

Of course, having a permanent mound always ready to hand is rarely practical. If every pitcher were forced to head to the nearest baseball diamond simply to practice the craft, the skill level that is today often taken for granted would be much harder to attain. While this problem persisted for many years, in recent decades it has become much less of one, thanks to an important innovation.

The traditional permanent bullpen mound has been replaced, in many cases, by a realistic portable mound that is every bit as natural but far more flexible in terms of usage. Instead of high-maintenance permanent bullpen mounds that distract from the many other duties of ground crews, many diamonds are now equipped with a special kind of patented portable mound that can be moved anywhere, at will.

This most advanced practice mound allows pitchers to get in real, useful practice and warm-up throws, wherever they might be at the time. That is invaluable in the bullpen itself, of course, but it is also important in other contexts, too.

For example, many professional pitchers now own such mounds personally and make use of them at their homes. While pitchers have to be careful not to overdo it, being able to practice pitching at a moment's notice like this can really give a particular player an edge. With so much riding an any one pitcher's ability and performance, it only makes sense that the most dedicated players would want to be as prepared as possible.