Built My Own Pitching Screen ...

[BigShep]

Last winter I built my own pitching screen. I bought heavyweight netting and built the rest of it with materials and parts from Ace and Home Depot.

Set up it's about 3.5' wide and 6.5' tall with supporting legs to steady it ... but it folds down to 6" x 7" x 48" (see pics) for transport. You can see that the frame is PVC, but it's survived @ 50 BP sessions with only 1 corner elbow getting cracked. I have had to replace several of the straps that hold the net, but that's cheap and easy. Not one of our pitchers using it was hit in BP this year.

The only thing I didn't like was that I was carrying it with a strap and it's heavy (23 lbs). I had tried putting castors on it, but it fell over ... like trying to walk a cat on a leash. Now that I'm between spring and fall seasons, I had some time to think the wheel thing through. Today, I finished putting them on. They're hinged so they can swing out from underneath the screen when it's in use, but provide an easy roll over uneven turf when mobile.

I like carrying my bat bag, so putting wheels on the screen makes life easier now.

Shep

 

[Joker]

where did you get the net?

 

[Devil Dog]

I wouldn't trust that if I were pitching behind it.

 

[TonyB]

23 pounds of PVC and net?

 

[BigShep]

I wouldn't trust that if I were pitching behind it.

I have no problem. I won't make you use it.

The netting is the heaviest available #60 ... much heavier than Jugs or Pitch-Safe use. The PVC is the 1" heavy-duty schedule 40 stuff. The only vulnerable parts are the connectors and elbows. The bottom 2' of each side is double-sleeved for support.

 

[BigShep]

23 pounds of PVC and net?

Nope. Most of the weight is because the base/box is made of 5/8" plywood.

 

[BigShep]

where did you get the net?

Joker -
I'm pretty sure I got it through BaseballTips.com. They sold it by the square foot. Actually, they sub it out ... I called the number on their site after using their calculator. I think it cost @$50 incl shipping for their heaviest netting ... so now I don't ever have to worry about replacing it. Everything else I can replace at the local hardware store.

 

[DegoGiantsFan48]

If it was metal poles I think it'd be perfect. Also with a pull over net like the jugs net.

 

[hacker72]

Shep, we hit middle a lot. How do you think it woould hold up against hard middle shots? Ive never trusted PVC after the first one we built; we shattered two poles in one session. We made one out of conduit pipe and it withstood everything but was a PITA to break down. I wound up with the Pitchsafe and never looked back. The reason I am asking is I would like to make a 4x7 screen to offer more protection during usage.

 

[BigShep]

The nice part of the design is that the top rail pops off, the upper half of the side rails pop out and the bottom halves swivel down into the box for a quick put-away. It takes @2 mins to set up; less than 2 mins to break down.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/200/pitchingscreenswivel.jpg/

 

[mossman]

Looks good. I made somewhat the same kind and i kept the net loose to absorb liners. So far so good.

 

[BigShep]

Shep, we hit middle a lot. How do you think it woould hold up against hard middle shots? Ive never trusted PVC after the first one we built; we shattered two poles in one session. We made one out of conduit pipe and it withstood everything but was a PITA to break down. I wound up with the Pitchsafe and never looked back. The reason I am asking is I would like to make a 4x7 screen to offer more protection during usage.

Hard to say, Hacker. The Pitch-Safe is more durable, but for us big guys it's hard to hide behind. The guys hitting at this one are all seniors, but some can still go yard. What weight PVC did you use? Some of the stuff is really flimsy, and the bigger diameter stuff (1.5") is easier to break. I used the 1" schedule 40. When it's hit it "gives" with the blow, but no way it's more durable than the metal and fiberglass.

 

[BigShep]

... i kept the net loose to absorb liners. ...

That's part of the secret.

 

[hacker72]

Looks good. I made somewhat the same kind and i kept the net loose to absorb liners. So far so good.

You have to have a GIVE factor for the net to work properly.

Hard to say, Hacker. The Pitch-Safe is more durable, but for us big guys it's hard to hide behind. The guys hitting at this one are all seniors, but some can still go yard. What weight PVC did you use? Some of the stuff is really flimsy, and the bigger diameter stuff (1.5") is easier to break. I used the 1" schedule 40. When it's hit it "gives" with the blow, but no way it's more durable than the metal and fiberglass.

Yeah I just want to make something a little bit bigger but on the same style concept.

Shep, I sent you a PM.....

 

[KDEflyers]

 

[KDEflyers]

or this

http://jugssports.com/productdetail.aspx?id=616

 

[BigShep]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJn-jBGa6RM

Some of my favorite relatives are from West Virginia.

Last January with the temps in the 20's I couldn't play ball, so I decided to do something constructive rather than whip my Skippy.

 

[BigShep]

or this

http://jugssports.com/productdetail.aspx?id=616

Interestingly, I talked the county into buying our 55+ pick-up program a Jugs Lite-Flite. But it's not mine and I play in 3 other leagues where it can be used.

I play mostly OF, sometimes SS and seldom pitch much BP ... but I was tired of having guys with no hitting disicipline rip our pitcher in BP. Plus, now I can practice hitting middle (OF) without too much worry.

 

[landsharklager]

I have no problem. I won't make you use it.

The netting is the heaviest available #60 ... much heavier than Jugs or Pitch-Safe use. The PVC is the 1" heavy-duty schedule 40 stuff. The only vulnerable parts are the connectors and elbows. The bottom 2' of each side is double-sleeved for support.

Since when was 1" Sch 40 PVC considered Heavy Duty?

Might want to keep 3 pieces of everything extra. That **** will snap quick with a softball. Just like a cheek bone. Infact, I think a Cheek bone may be harder.

 

[jbaseball33]

emt tubing next time

might hold up better, but looks pretty good, I bought a Easton fold up L screen, works great

 

[dford42]

If you use schedule 80 you'd have much better durability but it is expensive

 

[mijowe]

try copper

 

[richard#2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJn-jBGa6RM

this is our pregame warm-up............. how did you get this footage?

 

[BigShep]

might hold up better, but looks pretty good, I bought a Easton fold up L screen, works great

You talking about medical tubing to hold the net to the frame? Hmmm ... sounds promising.

 

[BigShep]

Since when was 1" Sch 40 PVC considered Heavy Duty?

Might want to keep 3 pieces of everything extra. That **** will snap quick with a softball. Just like a cheek bone. Infact, I think a Cheek bone may be harder.

"When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail to you."

Like I already said, it's made it through @ 50 BP sessions with only 1 cracked corner elbow and a few blown straps. Yeah, bone is harder but you can't replace that at Ace.

How's your screen working?

 

[BigShep]

this is our pregame warm-up ...

Priceless!!

 

[BigDog]

Last winter I built my own pitching screen. I bought heavyweight netting and built the rest of it with materials and parts from Ace and Home Depot.

Set up it's about 3.5' wide and 6.5' tall with supporting legs to steady it ... but it folds down to 6" x 7" x 48" (see pics) for transport. You can see that the frame is PVC, but it's survived @ 50 BP sessions with only 1 corner elbow getting cracked. I have had to replace several of the straps that hold the net, but that's cheap and easy. Not one of our pitchers using it was hit in BP this year.

The only thing I didn't like was that I was carrying it with a strap and it's heavy (23 lbs). I had tried putting castors on it, but it fell over ... like trying to walk a cat on a leash. Now that I'm between spring and fall seasons, I had some time to think the wheel thing through. Today, I finished putting them on. They're hinged so they can swing out from underneath the screen when it's in use, but provide an easy roll over uneven turf when mobile.

I like carrying my bat bag, so putting wheels on the screen makes life easier now.

Shep

you are a fing artist, dad. love it.

 

[john3906]

what was the total cost and building time?

 

[mswiat]

We made a screen out of an old bench swing and fencing. Didn't need it to be portable, since we take bp in the yard. But, I should save this idea, I'd like a smaller net, that is portable. Winter project for the husband.

 

[Joker]

Joker -
I'm pretty sure I got it through BaseballTips.com. They sold it by the square foot. Actually, they sub it out ... I called the number on their site after using their calculator. I think it cost @$50 incl shipping for their heaviest netting ... so now I don't ever have to worry about replacing it. Everything else I can replace at the local hardware store.

cool thanks