If your kids love softball, build a trainer to help them work on their swing.
Materials:
Rubber home base
Dimpled training ball
18" piece of 4" x 6" pressure-treated pine lumber
8' piece of 4" x 6" pressure-treated pine lumber (make sure the lumber is rated for ground contact)
18" to 24" length of 1/4"-thick nylon braided rope
1/2" x 6" lag bolt
1/2" x 6" bolts with washers and nuts
Two 8" L brackets
1 1/2" coupler link
Posthole digger
Drill
Measuring tape
- Use the posthole digger to dig a hole at least 2' deep. Sink the 8' beam into the ground, and firm the soil.
- Attach the L brackets (figure A) to both sides of one end of the 18" beam, using bolts and washers.
- Measure 3' up the side of the long beam. Mark the spot, and attach the shorter beam with the L brackets. One bracket should be on top and one on the bottom of the long beam.
- On the end of the small beam, which serves as an arm, mark and drill a hole in the center for the lag bolt. Screw in the lag bolt in this order: the washer, the coupler link, another washer. Don't put the bolt in all the way. You want the coupler link (figure B) to be free to rotate.
- Drill through the training ball with a bit large enough to accommodate the nylon rope (figure C). Run the rope through the ball with a strong knot in the end. Tie the other end of the rope to the coupler link, adjusting the length of the rope to your child's height. Make sure both knots are secure to prevent the ball from flying off.
Growing a Sunflower Room Your kids can have their own private outdoor room bounded by sunflowers. Select a spot in full sun, improve the soil if necessary, and mark out a room-size area with flour or sand. Don't forget to leave space for a door. Plant the sunflower seeds along the line, water and wait for them to grow.
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