Ballpark model input

[mets16]

I figured i want to give models a try. I am just inexperienced.
So i have some questions..
1. What material should I use for the outside to make it look realistic?
2. What should I use for the seats?
3. What should I use for the grass/ dirt
4. How would I make a scoreboard?

thanks in advance

[Lions/Tigers@Cubs.OhMy!]

the easy answer is whatever works. Beyond that there are millions of scratch materials available through model train and hobby shops. My current stadium is a combination of wood and plastic and being built on a scale of 1:160. The field level rise was constructed with wood with polystyrine "L" strips for seats and the upperdeck is being built using flat strips of polystyrene. any more questions or information let me know.....

[mets16]

would a material like oaktag be good?

[Lions/Tigers@Cubs.OhMy!]

I would think so. Again, it depends a lot on what your planning on building, the scale, the effect... Elvis does a lot of really nice smaller scale models out of wood. If he checks in this thread maybe he'll post his website for you to look at (I can't find the link at the moment).

I've seen gorgeous ballpark models made entirely out of posterboard. I've also seen ones like this: http://majorleaguemodels.com/

My best advice would be to use what ever materials you're the most comfortable with.

[mets16]

I would think so. Again, it depends a lot on what your planning on building, the scale, the effect... Elvis does a lot of really nice smaller scale models out of wood. If he checks in this thread maybe he'll post his website for you to look at (I can't find the link at the moment).

I've seen gorgeous ballpark models made entirely out of posterboard. I've also seen ones like this: http://majorleaguemodels.com/

My best advice would be to use what ever materials you're the most comfortable with.

I think ill try foamcore like astros did with his model but im still unsure about the exterior... like should I paint it?

[Yoda]

use ginger bread for delicious results

[PowerAlley21]

I think ill try foamcore like astros did with his model but im still unsure about the exterior... like should I paint it?

If you plan to paint foamcore, be sure to "prime" it with liquid Gesso before painting. Otherwise, the exposed foam edges will melt when in contact with chemical based paint (spraypaint, etc). Avoid waterbased paint (tempra, etc) becase the paper facing of the foamcore will soak it up and ruin the appearance. Foamcore is a good material to articulate concrete rakers in the stadium.

An alternative material is "artcore" which is similar to foamcore, but utilizes plastic film instead of paper facing. It's thinner and easier to cut.

[gooberkitty]

Before yoiur start constructing a ballpark model, either your own design or replicating an existing for former stadium/ballpark, you should define the scale you are most comfortable with...i.e., 1 inch equals 60 feet, 1 inch equals 30 feet etc. The scale will dictate the detail of the stadium. I biuld all of my models to fit on a base of 24 inches square in a scale of 1 inch equals 60 feet. This scale allows me to detail the stadium as well of the surrounding neighborhoods. This scale also alloiws me to indicate the seats by scribing the basswood or balsawood (after painting the solid color) via a number 5H (very hard) pencil. Matboard works great fore constructing the exterior walls, you just need to investigate the right paint colors to make the walls look like concrete or brick. As to the grass, if the stadium had a cross hatch design, you may want to use a green grass color paint, then draw in the cross hatching lines using a ink marker of a little darker green color.
For the scoreboard, use a computer to indicate the various color lights and signs, then you can enlarge or reduce the scoreboad design to fit your scale.

Try also to draw the model completely before building anything.

Best of luck...I have been co0nstructing ballpark and stadium models for over thirty years and find it very relaxing and rewarding.

I will be happy to send photos, just let me know.

Bruce

BruceGenther@aol.com

I figured i want to give models a try. I am just inexperienced.
So i have some questions..
1. What material should I use for the outside to make it look realistic?
2. What should I use for the seats?
3. What should I use for the grass/ dirt
4. How would I make a scoreboard?

thanks in advance

[JWB13]

I have seen models of Yankee Stadium and Dodger Stadium.

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

Before yoiur start constructing a ballpark model, either your own design or replicating an existing for former stadium/ballpark, you should define the scale you are most comfortable with...i.e., 1 inch equals 60 feet, 1 inch equals 30 feet etc. The scale will dictate the detail of the stadium. I biuld all of my models to fit on a base of 24 inches square in a scale of 1 inch equals 60 feet. This scale allows me to detail the stadium as well of the surrounding neighborhoods. This scale also alloiws me to indicate the seats by scribing the basswood or balsawood (after painting the solid color) via a number 5H (very hard) pencil. Matboard works great fore constructing the exterior walls, you just need to investigate the right paint colors to make the walls look like concrete or brick. As to the grass, if the stadium had a cross hatch design, you may want to use a green grass color paint, then draw in the cross hatching lines using a ink marker of a little darker green color.
For the scoreboard, use a computer to indicate the various color lights and signs, then you can enlarge or reduce the scoreboad design to fit your scale.

Try also to draw the model completely before building anything.

Best of luck...I have been co0nstructing ballpark and stadium models for over thirty years and find it very relaxing and rewarding.

I will be happy to send photos, just let me know.

Bruce

BruceGenther@aol.com

Hey if the tip of that 5H pencil of yours breaks, are we gonna have another broken bat injury case?? :rofl:

[cgcoyne2]

...

I will be happy to send photos, just let me know.

Bruce

BruceGenther@aol.com

I'm letting you know. POST some pictures!!!!

Please?

[Manhattan]

I'm letting you know. POST some pictures!!!!

Please? I also have seen models of Yankee Stadium and also of Dodger Stadium too.

[gooberkitty]

Check out the membership list, search under "gooberkitty" and a photo ablum of the stadiums/ballparks I have completed to date is posted on my picture album.

Enjoy!!!

BG I'm letting you know. POST some pictures!!!!

Please?

[The House That Ruth Built]

What material do you use for the lights/light towers?

[gooberkitty]

Per your request...several photos of model completed by B. Genther
Enjoy!!

BG

I'm letting you know. POST some pictures!!!!

Please?

[gooberkitty]

To help you in getting started building you own stadium model, I have attached several pictures of the early stages on the building process on the Fenway Park model I built for a privatye collector several years ago. The scale of the Fenway Park model is 1 inch equals 60 feet, but you can choose any scale desired. I hope these photos and the narrative that accompanies each picture helps you get started.

Gooberkitty


I figured i want to give models a try. I am just inexperienced.
So i have some questions..
1. What material should I use for the outside to make it look realistic?
2. What should I use for the seats?
3. What should I use for the grass/ dirt
4. How would I make a scoreboard?

thanks in advance

[tommybaseball]

There is a fantastic alternative to merely using paint for the grass. I use something called Noch grass:
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/noc/noc00260.htm
It's a German company that produces this for model train layouts. For the infield dirt section, I use 3M sandpaper.

If you take a look at posts #46 and #47, http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=45278&page=2
you can get an idea how it looks in my ballpark. My design is not as elaborate as most of these guys but it serves me well enough to play my Strat-O-Matic Baseball games on. I also use cigar boxes for the grandstand but I see some great ideas to make the stands look better for the upcoming renovation!

[mrakbaseball]

Oh, I am so full of anticipation. :sleepy:

[mets16]

I actually started building it.. pics soon

[Astros]

I actually started building it.. pics soon

Which stadium are you building or is it an original design?

[mets16]

Which stadium are you building or is it an original design?

Its actually my own concept..

[Astros]

Its actually my own concept..

Very cool. I used to sit around and draw up my own concepts. I did many of them experimenting on how seats would be angled, what type of scoreboards, the different designs of the exterior and how shadows would come across the field. Fun stuff. I look forward to seeing your project! I'll be happy to lend some advice, as I'm sure others will be able to as well.

[droozer]

What happened to posting pics soon? I can't wait to see your progress. Gooberkitty, could you post more pictures with step by step info? I'm also planning on constructing a stadium and any tips would be greatly appreciated. If ANYONE has any tips, please PM me.

[voodoochile]

To mets16:

Be forewarned. If you are inexperienced as you say, and you have thoughts of constructing a model ballpark worthy of attention, I would begin with attempting to first build a no frills cardboard model just to let you know what you're in for.

Building a model ballpark is difficult to say the least, and if you have sights on a particular ballpark, and you are married, don't be surprised if your wife gives you an ultimatum of the model or her. I'm not speculating; I'm talking from experience.

[mets16]

To mets16:

Be forewarned. If you are inexperienced as you say, and you have thoughts of constructing a model ballpark worthy of attention, I would begin with attempting to first build a no frills cardboard model just to let you know what you're in for.

Building a model ballpark is difficult to say the least, and if you have sights on a particular ballpark, and you are married, don't be surprised if your wife gives you an ultimatum of the model or her. I'm not speculating; I'm talking from experience.

Yeah I am trying to build it with foam core... have some supports up now, but haven't touched it in a week or so, with work and all... But I wanna have it built by the summer.

[droozer]

Yeah I am trying to build it with foam core... have some supports up now, but haven't touched it in a week or so, with work and all... But I wanna have it built by the summer.

Let's see some pictures!

[mets16]

Let's see some pictures!

Sure... As a HUGE beginner, I would love to hear some c+c... I'm sorta just free handing this one, from a concept I thought of in my sleep, so here they are..
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/559/p1030037zi5.jpg

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/3523/p1030038ij3.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/7342/p1030039vn6.jpg

[jnakamura]

You have the right idea, but your upper deck supports are awfully thin. Next time add about an inch to the back of the supports. Also you should make a template for the supports out of heavy card stock, trace that onto your foam and then all your supports will be identical--that's pretty important for it to look right when you're done.

[stadiumbuilder]

Ditto the template idea. That foam is hard to cut. My 11 year old son just built a nice little freelance park out of something called foamboard. We got it at Michael's, it's inexpensive and easier to work with than regular foam and it takes paint and glue well. It was something like $2 for a sheet, if you have an arts and crafts store near you, they should carry it.

[Astros]

When scoring the foam board, make sure you have a good sharp blade and use a straight edge if at all possible. You can freehand the little turns. Push the blade in to first make and indention into the foam core. Make sure you have a nice smooth cut. Then finish the cut by slicing through the other side of the board. Also make sure you have a good floor and side elevation plan in place and keep a copy of the floor plan so you can use when you begin to start cutting seating areas. You can go back and put bracing between each template cut so they do not begin to lean or warp. If you are building with foam board you have the right idea. I look forward to seeing your progress! Let me know if I can lend any other tips.

[voodoochile]

Mets16 - I purchased a plastic model of Yankee Stadium in 1964 when I saw my one and only World Series game. I bought it at one of the souviner shops outside the stadium after the game. Of course, it's long gone now, but I had always thought that I'd like to have that same model now. Along comes eBay, and bingo, there it is. It's very small, about a foot from end to end, and I wanted to detail it as best as I could, especially the outside wall. I use the photo editor on my computer very well, so it was just a matter of copying what I saw in photos, laying it out, and printing it. I adhered it to the outside wall and it looks very natural. Did the scoreboard the same way. All you need is a basic knowledge to work the photo editor, and it really pays off.