Need a material -- stiff like broom bristles, long, impact resistant

[Lee Cumbie]

I have a project for my softball team and I need a material, probably a plastic, that is stiff enough to stand vertically for 24-36", yet thin like a broom bristle and can take impact. I don't want to damage the bats or break the bristles!
Any help is appreciated!
Thanks

 

[berkeman]

I have a project for my softball team and I need a material, probably a plastic, that is stiff enough to stand vertically for 24-36", yet thin like a broom bristle and can take impact. I don't want to damage the bats or break the bristles!
Any help is appreciated!
Thanks

Welcome to the PF.

Can you say more about the application? Is it for a batting Tee or sometning? Does it need to be the same material all the way up from the ground, or would a support structure with a short broom on top work too?

 

[Lee Cumbie]

Welcome to the PF.

Can you say more about the application? Is it for a batting Tee or sometning? Does it need to be the same material all the way up from the ground, or would a support structure with a short broom on top work too?

Thanks for the quick reply! Yes, it is a variation on a batting tee so the material would need to be anywhere a swinging bat might hit it. I guess the base support could extend up for 12-16" without getting in the way. Optimally, the strands would be sandwiched between the bat and the ball at impact.

 

[berkeman]

Thanks for the quick reply! Yes, it is a variation on a batting tee so the material would need to be anywhere a swinging bat might hit it. I guess the base support could extend up for 12-16" without getting in the way. Optimally, the strands would be sandwiched between the bat and the ball at impact.

What are your design goals that need you to design something other than a traditional adjustable batting Tee? You just need it to be able to take a higher impulse from adults who swing under the ball a bit too far?

http://probaseballinsider.com/wp-co...ee-for-baseball-top-5-Tanner-Tees_300x200.jpg

 

[Baluncore]

A vertical air jet will support a ball.

 

[Ketch22]

I very much like Berkemans response. This has all the earmarks of a fascinating project. At the best we need to know exactly what it is you are thinking of. At the minimum it would be very helpful if we knew what you are attempting to do, What variables need to be worked within, and what critical elements have to be met.
It sounds to me like you are trying to measure something that batters ae doing. We both know that this is possibly way of base. Please help.

 

[berkeman]

A vertical air jet will support a ball.

Knuckeball batting practice!

 

[russ_watters]

A vertical air jet will support a ball.

And include an automatic feeder! I am so going to patent that!

 

[Work Hard Play Hard]

36" tig welding rods might work but what about a broom? Cut it to length, put a point on the end and pound it into the ground. A push broom that also has a threaded hole on the top might offer interesting options also.

 

[CWatters]

I once nearly impaled my head on some rebar so be careful about introducing pole or spike like objects where people are running around.

 

[JBA]

Optimally, the strands would be sandwiched between the bat and the ball at impact.

Can you explain in more detail why this is an element in your preferred design?