Slope required for a ball field is related to surface drainage. Most native soils do not absorb significant amounts of water; therefore surface water is removed from the playing surface by the field crown. The steeper the crown, the quicker the water is removed. The optimum slope for most types of soil types is 1.5% - 2.0%. This is in direct conflict of the incorrect perception that baseball outfields should be flat. Flat outfields actually promote drainage and turf problems.