Anyone build a practice mound for their DD pitcher?

[rdbass]

Don't know sanchosj, but see he is a crowd favorite. I do agree about the bucket. I do not sit on a bucket, because early on I found my DD would throw to the glove which was high. I like to kneel down to what I think the strike zone will be. As I'm older know I find it harder to get down on my knees. Probably because I didn't use a bucket. We also practice on real circles as much as possible. I carry a pitching rubber in my truck, infact I have one on it now. As a father of a pitcher I make sure I inspect the circle (mound) before every practice. I make sure I fill it any potential hazard. I also have taught my DD to do the same everytime she walks into the circle. Sorry if I went of topic.

 

[EP Dad]

My DD has adjusted to the fact that I sit on a bucket just fine. She's a pitcher. She throws to my glove, not to where my body happens to be.

I put a pitching rubber in my backyard a couple of years ago. One of the smartest things I ever did.

 

[PEPPERS]

I always tell DD to use the worst mound she can find to practice and the worst ball in the bucket. IMO it makes it easier in games with a good mound and ball, if you pitch in a game with a bad mound and a rough ball then you are ready to do that also.

 

[chinamigarden]

Don't know sanchosj,but see he is a crowd favorite.I do agree about the bucket.I do not sit on a bucket,because early on I found my DD would throw to the glove which was high.I like to kneel down to what I think the strike zone will be.As I'm older know I find it harder to get down on my knees.Probably because I didn't use a bucket.We also practice on real circles as much as possible.I carry a pitching rubber in my truck,infact I have one on it now.As a father of a pitcher I make sure I inspect the circle (mound) before every practice.I make sure I fill it any potential hazard.I also have taught my DD to do the same everytime she walks into the circle.Sorry if I went of topic.

I used a 3 gallon bucket when my dd first started out. It was perfect, now I use a 5 gallon bucket and put my mitt where she is supposed to pitch.

Every now and then I have her stand in the batters box so I can get a visual on how low or high the target can be and be in (or just out) of the strike zone.

 

[rdbass]

View attachment 2336 Look at the right side of my pic.This is a cutout of a batter that I used for pitching practice.I traced my son on plywood.This gave DD a batter to throw to without fear of hitting them.If you do make one of this,always wear a mask when catching.The "batter'' wont get out of the way of bad pitches.Don't ask me how I know this.Painful lesson.Bat missing cause DD knocked it off.

 

[Greenmonsters]

RD - for your adjustable batting tee, are the base plates fixed in place or movable?

 

[rdbass]

Those in that pic were just laid there,because it was a work in process.They are pipe flanges.I have them now screwed down.The flanges are as wide as a 12'' softball.I have 5 flanges on the white of the plate and 1 on each side on the gray.I have them screwed down from the top blue line to the bottom blue line.I used Hitters and straightlegs measurements.

 

[rdbass]

The hitting area backdrop is also hitters and straightleg measurements.2 car garage becomes hitting area in winter.Wifes car goes outside in the winter.See who the boss is at my house.......DD

 

[FrozenRope]

View attachment 2336 Look at the right side of my pic.This is a cutout of a batter that I used for pitching practice.I traced my son on plywood.This gave DD a batter to throw to without fear of hitting them.If you do make one of this,always wear a mask when catching.The "batter'' wont get out of the way of bad pitches.Don't ask me how I know this.Painful lesson.Bat missing cause DD knocked it off.

I like the Batter idea. I was tempted to try and use my 4 year old to act as the batter, but DD throws just hard enough and is certainly wild enough to cause some damage!!

I also put a pitching rubber in my yard and cut out a nice circle in the grass. Didn't need anything fancy. Replaced the topsoil with a combination of some rock dust (coarse sand) and some harder soil that was under the topsoil. I found one of those kids Lil' Tikes chairs. Works great!! (Thanks Perfect Circle!!, beats a bucket anyday.) Also put a plate in my catchers area. It's an old tee base painted white. It's about 4 inches smaller than a standard plate, my hope is that it will feel like she's got a lot more wiggle room when she stares out over a regulation plate.

 

[ElmoBlatch]

Don't know sanchosj,but see he is a crowd favorite.I do agree about the bucket.I do not sit on a bucket,because early on I found my DD would throw to the glove which was high.I like to kneel down to what I think the strike zone will be.As I'm older know I find it harder to get down on my knees.Probably because I didn't use a bucket.We also practice on real circles as much as possible.I carry a pitching rubber in my truck,infact I have one on it now.As a father of a pitcher I make sure I inspect the circle (mound) before every practice.I make sure I fill it any potential hazard.I also have taught my DD to do the same everytime she walks into the circle.Sorry if I went of topic.

Just curious. Is your space bar broken?