How to Make a Slow-Pitch Batting Tee

Hitting a slow-pitch softball isn't as easy as it looks. The ball has a large surface area and striking it in the proper spot will help you hit the ball harder, farther and increase your batting average. Slow-pitch softballs are pitched high into the air and a strike is called a when the ball lands on the plate. This extreme angle creates a higher strike zone than fast-pitch softball or baseball. To practice with a high strike zone, you'll need to make your own slow-pitch softball tee.

Things You'll Need

  • Drill
  • 3/8-inch drill bit
  • 3/4-inch PVC cap
  • 3/4-inch PVC cross joint
  • 7/8-inch drill bit
  • 3/4-inch long, 3/8 inch wide bolt
  • 3/8-inch washer
  • 3/8-inch nut
  • 20-foot length of 3/4-inch PVC pipe
  • Tape measure
  • Marker
  • Small tooth saw
  • Rubber placemat
  • Duct tape
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Fix the 3/8-inch drill bit into the drill. Drill a hole through the center of the 3/4-inch PVC cap.

    • 2

      Drill a hole through one side of the PVC cross joint. Drill into the apex, where the four arms meet.

    • 3

      Turn the cross joint over. Switch the 7/8-inch drill bit into the drill. Drill a hole into the center of the cross joint.

    • 4

      Turn the cross joint back over so the 3/8-inch hole is showing. Sit the cap onto the middle of the cross joint with the open end facing up. Line the PVC cap's 3/8-inch hole up with the cross joint's.

    • 5

      Thread the washer onto the 3/4-inch long, 3/8-inch bolt. Push the bolt into the hole in the middle of the cap and, with a socket wrench, drive it through the cap and cross joint.

    • 6

      Turn the assembly over so the 7/8-hole is showing with the end of the bolt coming through. Thread the 3/8-inch nut onto the bolt end and tighten with a socket.

    • 7

      Lay your 20-foot length of the 3/4-inch PVC pipe on the ground. Use a tape measure and marker to make four marks on the pipe every 18 inches.

    • 8

      Cut the pipe at the marks with a small-toothed saw. You'll make four lengths of pipe.

    • 9

      Place the four lengths of pipe into the four holes in the cross-joint. Place the assembly on the ground cap-side up.

    • 10

      Put the remaining length of pipe into the cap. Hold it at arms length and eyeball the height you want your tee stanchion to be. Subtract approximately 8 inches from the height (a little more than the size of your fist) and mark that spot with a marker.

    • 11

      Cut the pipe at the mark with a small tooth saw.

    • 12

      Roll a silicone rubber placemat up so it fits inside the PCV tee stanchion. Apply super glue to half of the rolled up placemat and insert it into the tee stanchion. Let the glue dry.

    • 13

      Duct tape the edge of the PVC pipe to the placemat.

    • 14

      Place the tee stanchion into the cap, place a softball on the rolled up placemat and swing away. Repeat steps 10 through 13 if you want another tee height. Switch out the tee stanchions for different heights.