Overview

The SAHDwiffle team lives in a neighborhood where erecting a proper field would not be allowed due to HOA rules.  Therefore, the construction of SAHDwiffle field is designed in a manner that allows fast times for both putting the field together, and tearing it down.  We have experimented with many options in prior iterations of the field, these are our current materials and instructions.

 

Strike Zone

We used 3/4″ PVC pipe for the strike zone and opted for the thicker walled pipe that is normally used for running drinking water. Two ten foot sections will give you enough pipe with some left over. They normally run a couple of dollars per piece so it’s pretty cheap to build. We found many different recommended dimensions while doing research and decided the following best fit our situation: 20″-24″ wide by 30″-34″ tall and sitting 14″-16″ off the ground. Casey’s is 22×32 and 15″ off the ground for example. To build this size, cut two pieces each of 20″, 30″, and 15″. You’ll also need two 90 degree 3/4″ elbows, two 3/4″ t-fittings, 8″ or larger zip ties, small rubber grommets (optional but it looks a lot better), and some type of metal sheet to fit in the middle. Chad uses a piece of tin sheet metal we picked up at a metal machine shop for $5 and Casey uses a sheet of galvanized flashing he found at Home Depot for around $6.

 

Build List

• 2 – 10′ sections of 3/4″ PVC ~ $2 each.
• 2 – 90 deg. 3/4″ elbow fittings ~ $0.30 each.
• 2 – T Fittings 3/4″ ~ $0.40 each.
• 1 Sheet Metal piece to build around ~ $5 – $10
• 10 Zip Ties 8″ ~ $2
• 6 Rubber Grommets to fit your drilled holes ~ $5

The Homerun Fence

Constructed out of 3/4″ PVC pipe, gardening fence, and zip ties.  The homerun fence is able to be easily rolled up for storage and unrolled and put into place within 5 minutes for two people.  Each 3/4″ PVC upright is held by a 2′ iron stake that the PVC slides over the top of.  Fence comes in 50′ lengths and can be found easily at big box hardware retailers.

 

Build List

• 4 – 10′ sections of 3/4″ PVC ~ $2 each.
• 2 – 3/4″ PVC couplers ~ $0.30 each.
• 1 – 50 ft fence (usually found in the gardening section of a home improvement store and is normally used to keep pests out of a garden) ~ $15-$25
• 30 Zip Ties 8″ ~ $4
• 6 – construction stakes ~ $2 each

Start by taking two of your PVC pipes and cutting four foot sections out of them to give you four total sections. You will be left with two 2 foot sections that are not used. Take the other two PVC pipes and cut them in half to give you four 5 foot sections. This is the time to paint the poles if you wish, otherwise, you can start assembly. Unroll the fence so it is completely flat and attach a five foot section to both ends of the fence using the zip ties. Measure 10 feet in from one of the poles and zip tie a four foot piece on. Repeat until you have all four middle poles attached. Now take the couplers and put them on top of the five foot end poles. Place the last two five foot pipes into the other end of the coupler to make a 10 foot foul pole. Remove those 5 foot sections for easier storage. To set up the fence on your field, hammer a stake into the ground and place a foul pole over it. Stretch the fence out and keep hammering stakes in to use for holding the rest of your poles up. You can also add flags to the top of your foul poles to really look official. Of course in keeping with the SAHD theme, our flags are from our kid’s bike trailers! Good luck!

The Backstop

We never made a backstop that was worth keeping.  We recommend buying extra Wiffle balls instead.