I'm going to build a custom pitch

Another custom pitch, to be more accurate. Any design related ideas?

Tonight I'm going to look for a terrain mat to cut to size. After that, I'll mount it to a piece of poster board, and draw the lines in.

Also, for coaches who need help on measurements, let me know if you have a custom pitch of your own in the works. I'd be happy to help!

I'm strongly considering a construction project.

I live in a small apartment, and have access to neither tools nor supplies. I've never really worked with carpentry tools other than what's in my IKEA set (hammer and screw-driver).

If I could, I'd make pitches out of MDF that fold up and can be transported. As it is... no dice.

You can't go wrong with astrogranite.

Ugh, god, don't make me dock you Gold Pieces, Jack.

You could look at something like a latex mat from Zuzzy miniatures (www.zuzzy.com). Take a mat, cut it to size, paint it properly, and then draw on the lines. Or you could stencil on the lines.

Hrm, I might have to try that myself!

I found a Woodland Scenics mat for $11 that is the right size for one pitch. Now some MDF!

I saw a game store that made their own pitch and it was outstanding. Not only did they have fans in the bleachers, but they enlarged the pitch slightly so that the "Big Guys" bases would fit into squares. Big Guys bases over-hang the standard squares and that sometimes causes a crowding problem with other models (especially if a couple Big Guys are beside each other). Making the squares larger made the game much easier to run. If you do enlarge your pitch remember to enlarge the templates accordingly.

Good call. I'm not sure if I like full 40mm squares, though, since one runs into the problem that you just mentioned: none of the templates work properly. This to me is huge, and for club pitches, I'd prefer to make boards that anyone can use their own "tools" for. For a private showcase pitch? Oh yes, 40mm, baby!