This Nose 2 Nose pits field against field. In our own travels we've noticed a wide variety in the playability of fields. We wanted to know other coaches experience. We weren't asking for absolutes, just a perspective, comparing conditions on a team's home field with the diamonds played on for away games.

Sometimes the answers are driven by the way we ask questions or provide choices. For instance, on the first question in the list we asked "What factors concern you in deciding if a field is truly playable or not. (Check any number.)". and in the choices given, the one shown cryptically as "Dimensions" was spelled out as "Dimensions suitable for age/level of play including outfield distance, backstop and foul territory".

Also, sometimes the things we expect to be important, aren't. For instance, on the 4th question" "What's the one area you most wish you could improve but are least likely to have the money for?" In asking about the money, we eliminated votes for some of those improvements that might take volunteer effort but might not cost all that much. (In the future we'll look deeper into the sponsorship question - how do teams and leagues get the funding they need.)

What factors make a field playable... How is your field better than others... How is your field worse... What do you most wish to improve...

The answers included some items we didn't think to ask about...

We have to walk a long way from the field to the locker rooms and showers.  Especially for the younger kids I find it important to hit the showers after practice and after games.  [Editor's note:  We imagine that many reading this don't have such luxuries - showering happens at home.]

Actually this past year we had to have soccer on our outfield areas-this necessitated in removing the OF fencing.  The result was torn up areas of turf, whole areas of dirt that proved impossible to cover up with dirt to level off by the time our season began.    

We have tried everything for batters box and pitchers mound. Still becomes a big hole. [Editor's note: a subsurface of specially designed blocks or a mat is the best approach. Click for example.]
  
Field maintenance for LL fields needs parent participation.  I coach, run practice, teach your kids because it is my passion. But am I responsible for raking the field? Parents, please pitch in after games and practices.

Routine upkeep knowledge from the people performing the task so I don't have to rework [the field].  
    
Grass barely mowed. Dirt hardly raked.     

As the father of a pitcher, I wish mounds were standardized. Some of the worst are the short, steep portables.  I would love to have more lighted fields available.  [Ed. Note: Lights are often desired, but one of the more expensive improvements. There are gadgets to help standardize mounds - look under "Fielding Grooming" on WebBall.]
 
Our city is moving to use artificial turf on our one good baseball field to make it multi-use for soccer, lacrosse, etc in addition to baseball. This field was designed for baseball, not to be multi-use, but lack of fields in town and the growth of all youth sports has increased the demand for fields.  My concern is trying to get dirt base paths to allow for a decent baseball experience.  

I would like to see lights and the field fully enclosed.

Safety bases. [Editor's note: This answer appeared less than it might have two years ago, because leagues are making products like Rogers BreakAway Bases mandatory - so it has to be funded and completed, no longer an option no longer about being on the "wish list".]