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Attn: Mods - There is another thread with this same title (or close to it). That thread was started years ago and was very brief. I don't want to step on that thread starters toes...tried to reach out via PM, but no response. So, I am starting this thread.
I am going to be documenting my construction of a scratch built, scale model of Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington. Why Cheney? There are actually a few reasons. In no particular order:
The first step in building the ballpark is to lay out a good diagram. I used a current seating chart because I could not find an old one. Fortunately, Cheney has the same seating bowl. It was left in place. Research shows that the original dimensions were 330 down the lines and 410 to center. One problem I had in doing the diagram is that when using the sizing function in Excel, it has a tendency to change only the vertical or horizontal aspect resulting in inaccurate scaling. Most of the problem I had was with the LF/RF lines. CF was fine. I went ahead and had the diagram blown up, but then had to make some additional lines with the proper scaling.
With a good plan in hand, I could start putting the lines down on my board. I elected to use a scale of 1" = 32' for this model. The model will be centered on the horizontal and vertical on my plywood board (24" x 24"). I cut along the lines and then put the diagram on the primed board and traced the outer footprint. Next, I cut the playing field out and traced it onto the board. Once the field was laid out, I used the tempate to trace it onto the back of my Ready Grass, vinyl backed grass. I carefully cut the field out and glued it to the board. There is a lot of additional explanation behind how I laid out the infield, etc. Once the field was glued down, I painted it with a coat of acrylic varnish. This has the effect of sealing the field and keeping all the little grass fibers from shedding. It also protects the field from my hand that my occasionally need to rest on the grass for support/steadiness when gluing for painting.
The attached photos show these two steps. The next step will be to layout the structural support system. It is all exposed, so it will have to be meticulous. The templates have already been made. Now it is a matter of marking and cutting more than 25 identical 3-piece sections of support. This will take a while.
More later....
8378381051_6169e5d82c_b.jpg
8378380841_a10bf669be_b.jpg
I am going to be documenting my construction of a scratch built, scale model of Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington. Why Cheney? There are actually a few reasons. In no particular order:
- I live in the Pacific Northwest and have attended games at both the old and new Cheney Stadiums. I prefer the old version by A LOT.
I once umpired the Washington State High School baseball championships at the stadium.
I love building scale model replica stadiums. This will be my 5th one.
Cheney Stadium had a unique design that I find very interesting. It had a self-supporting, concrete roof that was held up by concrete/steel supports. These supports were exposed. It also had an open concourse.
I hope to collaborate on a display at the 2013 Western Washington State Fair that will feature old PCL ballparks of the Pacific Northwest - Cheney, Sicks' and Vaughn Street Park - along with a large amount of rare Seattle Rainers memorabilia. I am in charge of the ballparks
The first step in building the ballpark is to lay out a good diagram. I used a current seating chart because I could not find an old one. Fortunately, Cheney has the same seating bowl. It was left in place. Research shows that the original dimensions were 330 down the lines and 410 to center. One problem I had in doing the diagram is that when using the sizing function in Excel, it has a tendency to change only the vertical or horizontal aspect resulting in inaccurate scaling. Most of the problem I had was with the LF/RF lines. CF was fine. I went ahead and had the diagram blown up, but then had to make some additional lines with the proper scaling.
With a good plan in hand, I could start putting the lines down on my board. I elected to use a scale of 1" = 32' for this model. The model will be centered on the horizontal and vertical on my plywood board (24" x 24"). I cut along the lines and then put the diagram on the primed board and traced the outer footprint. Next, I cut the playing field out and traced it onto the board. Once the field was laid out, I used the tempate to trace it onto the back of my Ready Grass, vinyl backed grass. I carefully cut the field out and glued it to the board. There is a lot of additional explanation behind how I laid out the infield, etc. Once the field was glued down, I painted it with a coat of acrylic varnish. This has the effect of sealing the field and keeping all the little grass fibers from shedding. It also protects the field from my hand that my occasionally need to rest on the grass for support/steadiness when gluing for painting.
The attached photos show these two steps. The next step will be to layout the structural support system. It is all exposed, so it will have to be meticulous. The templates have already been made. Now it is a matter of marking and cutting more than 25 identical 3-piece sections of support. This will take a while.
More later....
8378381051_6169e5d82c_b.jpg
8378380841_a10bf669be_b.jpg
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