One of my favorite presenters at this years ABCA convention was Coach Cohen from Mississippi State, with his presentation on "Wall Ball". I brought his ideas home and incorporated them into our practices and they really work well. Our players love working with the "wall".
Those of you who attended and are familiar with the pitch back he endorsed, may probably also know the price was not something every program can afford. I just wanted to share with you guys that I built one that works very well and only cost me about $16 (I used an old 7X7 frame and net we had on hand).
I took an old, pillowcase-style net off our sturdiest framed 7x7 screen. The frame of this net was made from 1 1/2" pipe welded by our ag class, its solid. Then I cut out one of the two sides. From Wal-Mart I bought 36 of the bungee cords with the plastic ball on the end (for holding tarps down, etc.) and stretched and secured the cut-out net to the frame and trimmed the overhang. It took I little more stretching and tightening, but I got it like I want it and it works very well.
If you want more info on Cohen's Wall Ball, he's got a DVD coming out (and a link to the manufacturer of the "real" pitchback) at www.johncohenbaseball.com.
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