It's amazing what makes news here in the heartland ;-) This appeared in the 5.17.06 Kokomo Perspective, which also weekly covers each Little League ballpark. |
1.) I went out to the web & googled some sport script fonts until I found this FREE one I liked. It's called "marcelle script"--I liked it because it has a distressed, worn look to it. I laid it out to my liking with text boxes in Microsoft Word & printed it on a standard 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper. |
Nothing complicated in the construction: - a circular saw (pictured) - corded drill (need plenty of power to drill thru thick boards) - galvanized screws - 2 x 6 & 2 x 4 construction mostly - paint - tape measure |
One of the things we love about our house is that the South Side Little League field is right behind us. It's like having a miniature Field of Dreams. |
the problem: Seeing over our 6 foot privacy fence to watch Slate's Little League games the solution: Build bleachers that allow you to see over the fence & comfortably watch the game. |
One of the things we love about our house is that the South Side Little League field is right behind us. It's like having a miniature Field of Dreams. |
Everything starts with a rough plan. This one is pretty rough...I plan to tweak as I go. |
Step 1 - talk Slater into building a 2 x 6 frame to be the foundation of the bleachers. |
Nothing complicated in the construction: - a circular saw (pictured) - corded drill (need plenty of power to drill thru thick boards) - galvanized screws - 2 x 6 & 2 x 4 construction mostly - paint - tape measure |
Here are the main supports for the bench. Filled in some supports within the frame to give it more strength & rigidity. "Q" escaped the camera but stopped by to add to the structural integrity of the bleachers & lend a welcome hand. |
Made a simple back rest with 2x4's. You can see the two large diagonal supports that anchor the three main supports together. <<< Sandra added a beautiful touch by filling in the three "boxes" at the rear and planting flowers in them. |
I put in the "floor" a few years ago. It served as a bench & a place to stand & watch games. (You can still stand & lean on the shelf for the 7th inning stretch.) I put in the foot rest (where Slate's feet are) since the heighth of the bench left one's feet dangling--NOT comfy. Of course there's a little shelf there too to hold your ice cold lemonades and such...or the hibachi grill ;-) |
I painted it to protect the wood from the elements. I checked out the "mistake" area at Lowes and found a gallon of 15 yr exterior paint in a color that was close to the fence for only $5.00! This is Slater''s first year playing in "the majors" for Norris Neher Insurance. Now the whole family & a friend ot two can cheer him on in comfort and with a great view! P L A Y B A L L ! ! ! |
Bleachers! |
the signs... |
1.) I went out to the web & googled some sport script fonts until I found this FREE one I liked. It's called "marcelle script"--I liked it because it has a distressed, worn look to it. I laid it out to my liking with text boxes in Microsoft Word & printed it on a standard 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper. |
2.) Use any copier & copy it to a transparency (available at any office supply store). This will NOT work w/most PC printers--it needs to be a copy machine. 3.) Cut your sign out of plywood & paint it white. (Or have your neighbor drop off some pre-painted white plywood that he got for free.) 4.) Borrow an overhead projector from a friendly school or church & trace with pencil onto painted plywood. |
5.) Start with a small brush outlining the letters. LAY THE PAINT ON HEAVILY so you'll only have to do this step one time. Use a little larger brush working your way out. Lastly use a big brush for the big spaces. Use a HIGH QUALITY exterior paint as it will cover better with fewer coats. This is NOT difficult, but it is TEDIOUS. |
I love the "old school" baseball field charm of them. Again, I am not a good painter, but with letters this large & an overhead projector, if you take your time it will turn out great. I attached them with screws. TIP: Take a Q-tip & dab paint over the screw heads to prevent them from rusting. |
It's amazing what makes news here in the heartland ;-) This appeared in the 5.17.06 Kokomo Perspective, which also weekly covers each Little League ballpark. |
