DIY PVC String Pull Batting Structure

Creating a batting structure for children with special needs is a practical and rewarding project. This simple yet effective design allows kids to engage in baseball by swinging a bat towards a ball with a pull of a string. Using common materials listed on Amazon, such as PVC pipes and fittings, this guide will show you how to assemble this adaptive equipment. This blog post aims to provide clear instructions for building a batting setup that makes the game more accessible and enjoyable for children with special needs, fostering their participation and enthusiasm for the sport.

PVC Batting Structure Instructions

These are the sizes of PVC pieces that you will need to have cut:

• 3, 24 inch pieces of 1 inch PVC
• 2, 20 inch pieces of 1 inch PVC
• 4, 7 inch pieces of 1 inch PVC
• 2, 4 inch pieces of 1 inch PVC
• 2, 8 inch pieces of ½ inch PVC

Fittings you’ll need:

• 4 – 1 inch 90 degree angles
• 4 – 1 inch tees
• 1 – 1 inch cross
• 2 – ½ inch tees
• 1 snap tee (the size of this will depend on the width of the neck of your baseball bat)

For the bat/release mechanism:

• About 4 feet of theraband
• About 6 feet of rope
• Your bat

Tools:

• PVC pipe cutting tool is ideal
• Measuring tape
• Permanent marker
• Duct tape/Electrical Tape
• A piece of 4-6in scrap PVC (if you want it as a handle)

Amazon Links: we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase any of these items through the following affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

• Snap Tee: https://amzn.to/3Tx2Ui8
• 1” PVC Pipe: https://amzn.to/477tWzN
• 1” Cross Tee: https://amzn.to/4au9Cvg
• 1” 90 Elbows: https://amzn.to/3RP9lMi
• 1” Tee: https://amzn.to/48ttP2u
• ½” PVC Tee: https://amzn.to/4aua6BA
• ½” PVC Pipe: https://amzn.to/3GRbMHN
• Theraband: https://amzn.to/3RQHAmm
• Paracord: https://amzn.to/3RQNCUd
• PVC Pipe Cutter Tool: https://amzn.to/48m7W5T

Building the Base:

You’ll need the following pieces:

• 4 – 1” 90 Degree angles
• 2 – 1” Tees
• 4 – 7” Pieces
• 2 – 24” Pieces

1.  First, take one of the 1” tees and attach two of the 7” pieces into each side of the tee. Repeat this again for the second tee.

2. Take two of your 1” 90 degree angles and attach them to each end of one of your 24” PVC pieces. Repeat this again for the second 24” piece of PVC.
3. Attach the open ends of the 7” pieces into the open ends of 90 degree angles to form a base structure. You can then set that aside.

Building the Top of the Structure:

You’ll need the following pieces:

• 2- 20” pieces
• 1 – 24” piece
• 2 – 4” pieces
• 2 – 1” tees
• 1 – 1” cross

1. Take your 2 tees and attach them to each of the 24” piece.

2. Next, take one of your 4” pieces and insert it into one end of a tee. Take your other 4” piece and insert it into the other tee, making sure they are both inserted on the same side of the tee.

3. Then take your cross and attach it to one end of one of the 4” pieces.

4. Grab the 2 20” pieces. Insert each piece into the other ends of the tees.

5. Attach the open ends of the 20” pieces into the open tees on the base you already built.

Batting Assembly:

You’ll need the following pieces:

• Bat
• 1 snap tee
• 1 – 8” piece of ½” PVC
• Theraband
• Electrical tape/duct tape

1. Attach the split side of your snap tee to the neck of your bat, as close to the head of the bat as you can. You may need to add some extra tape to the handle to make your snap tee fit better. You can also tape around your snap tee to secure it to the neck of the bat.
2. Take your 8” piece of ½ inch PVC and attach some tape to the end of it. You will need enough tape to create a secure fit in the open end of your snap tee.
3. Attach the taped end of the 8” piece into the open end of the snap tee. Insert the open end of your batting structure into the open end of the 4” piece of PVC on your structure.

4. Grab your theraband. At the end of the bat handle, take one end of your theraband and tie several tight knots to secure it onto the handle.
5. Pull the theraband tight. Make sure the band is all on the same side of the structure. Wrap the other end of the theraband below the tee 2 times or so and then tie knots to secure it in place. Make sure you don’t pull your band too tightly that it snaps.

Release Mechanism:

You’ll need the following pieces:

• 1 – 8” piece of ½” PVC
• 2 – ½” tees
• Rope
• Extra piece of PVC (4-6 inches) for handle

1. Take one of the tees and attach it to the end of your 8” PVC piece.
2. Slide the open end of your 8” piece through the open end of the 1” cross on your structure.
3. Take the other tee and attach it to the other open end of your 8” piece so that it is perpendicular to the other ½” tee.

4. Take one end of your rope and tie a figure 8 knot (or a very tight knot with a loop at the end). Make sure the loop of your knot is large enough that your PVC handle will be able to slide through the loop.

5. On the other end of the rope, make a handle. You can either make a handle by drilling a hole into the PVC and attaching the rope that way. Or, you can slide the rope through the PVC piece and knot it onto the other side of the rope.

6. Take the knotted end of your rope and slide it through the horizontal ½” tee on the outside of your release mechanism. Slide the PVC handle through the loop of your knot, securing your rope to the release mechanism.

To Use:

• Pull the head of the bat back towards the release mechanism. Make sure the bat is in between the theraband and the release mechanism.Slide out the perpendicular tee to secure the bat in place. 
• Give the handle to the student so that they can pull the rope to release the bat. An adult may need to keep a foot on the structure or place some weights on it to ensure it doesn’t move too much.  

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions! Happy building! 🙂