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Building an Iconic Baseball Prop for MLB
LA Set Construction had the exciting opportunity to create a large-scale baseball prop for Major League Baseball (MLB). Known as the most historic professional sports league in the U.S., MLB’s mission is to promote and grow the sport while creating unforgettable experiences for fans. Our goal for this project was to replicate a life-like oversized baseball, capturing the intricate details of the stitching, texture, and design, while maintaining durability for display purposes.
Inspiration and Design
Our client’s vision was to build a baseball prop that would embody the spirit of the MLB and reflect the craftsmanship that goes into the baseballs used in the game. To ensure authenticity, our team closely examined a real baseball, paying attention to the cowhide leather texture and the 216 raised stitches made with red-dyed cotton thread.
The prop required careful sculpting to replicate the texture of the leather and the precise stitch pattern found on a traditional MLB baseball. This attention to detail was essential to meeting the MLB’s expectations for an authentic and accurate display.
- Explore our Prop Design and Fabrication Services to see how we create realistic props for clients like MLB.
Baseball Prop Construction Process
We used high-density foam as the core material for this project, which allowed us to carve precise details while keeping the structure lightweight. Below are the steps we followed to bring this baseball prop to life:
- Cutting the Foam:
- Using a hot wire cutter and utility knife, we shaped the foam blocks into a spherical baseball. The stitching texture was carefully carved based on our reference baseball to capture the authentic feel of a real leather baseball.
- Using a hot wire cutter and utility knife, we shaped the foam blocks into a spherical baseball. The stitching texture was carefully carved based on our reference baseball to capture the authentic feel of a real leather baseball.
- Sculpting the Details:
- Our team refined the shape of the baseball using sculpting knives, sponges, and brushes. The stitches were milled into the foam to replicate the raised cotton thread texture found on authentic baseballs.
- Our team refined the shape of the baseball using sculpting knives, sponges, and brushes. The stitches were milled into the foam to replicate the raised cotton thread texture found on authentic baseballs.
- Applying Hard Coat:
- To ensure the prop was durable and impact-resistant, we coated the entire baseball with a hard coat. This step is crucial for protecting the foam from damage and extending the prop’s lifespan.
- To ensure the prop was durable and impact-resistant, we coated the entire baseball with a hard coat. This step is crucial for protecting the foam from damage and extending the prop’s lifespan.
- Sanding for a Smooth Finish:
- Once the hard coat dried, we carefully sanded the surface to ensure smoothness while preserving the intricate details of the leather texture and stitches.
- Once the hard coat dried, we carefully sanded the surface to ensure smoothness while preserving the intricate details of the leather texture and stitches.
- Painting the Baseball:
- We applied primer followed by acrylic paint to match the traditional white hue of a baseball. Red paint was used for the stitches, with added highlights and shadows to enhance the visual depth.
- We applied primer followed by acrylic paint to match the traditional white hue of a baseball. Red paint was used for the stitches, with added highlights and shadows to enhance the visual depth.
- Sealing the Prop:
- After the paint dried, we applied a clear sealant to protect the paint and provide a polished, finished look, ensuring the baseball prop was ready for display.
- After the paint dried, we applied a clear sealant to protect the paint and provide a polished, finished look, ensuring the baseball prop was ready for display.
Delivering the Finished Product
The final giant baseball prop was a perfect replica of the MLB baseball, complete with accurate textures, stitching, and paint details. Our client was thrilled with the result, noting that the prop exceeded their expectations. LA Set Construction was equally excited to deliver a high-quality prop that captured the spirit of baseball and showcased our craftsmanship.
Related Links to Explore
- Prop Design and Fabrication Services: Learn more about how we bring props to life with expert craftsmanship.
- Custom Fabrication Services: Explore our expertise in creating large-scale, custom-made projects.
- Event Staging Services: See how we set the stage for impactful displays and events.
- Model Building Services: Discover how precision tools and techniques ensure perfect replicas.
- MLB Baseball Project: Check out more details about our work with MLB.
Conclusion
This project exemplifies LA Set Construction’s ability to deliver realistic, large-scale props with attention to detail and durability. From precise foam cutting and sculpting to hard coating and painting, every step was executed to meet the highest standards. The result was a visually stunning and accurate MLB baseball prop that surpassed our client’s expectations.
Crafting a Giant Baseball for Major League Baseball (MLB)
Project info
