BONUS TIPS: Outdoor Batting Cage Nets
Outdoor batting cage nets are available in Polyethylene and Nylon. Poly nets are inherently UV and water resistant because they are made from a plastic-based material. However, because Poly is essentially a plastic it’s not as durable as Nylon and tends to break down faster because it lacks the shock absorption and “s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g” properties compare to Nylon.
Nylon nets, while more durable than Poly, are not inherently water resistant. Be sure to add some sort of water protection to your Nylon net. DuPont Nylon offers a Varnish dip to protect their nets from absorbing moisture. FlexNets offers a Latex Dip, called NetSeal, to help prevent exposure to moisture. Varnish is a “paint-like” oil-based treatment; while NetSeal is a water-based latex treatment. Varnish will last longer outdoors, but has a much stronger odor.
COMMERCIAL TIP: Some indoor batting cage facilities will even choose to add a “dip” to their cages to extend the life-span – in this case we recommend Latex due to the lower odor.
Taking down your net during the off-season will most certainly help increase the lifespan of your net.
The #36 nylon is our most popular netting. It is available in 55 and 70 foot lengths. We can also custom build a net to any size.
We can also provide replacement nets. Simply enter your dimensions in to our Custom Net Calculator to receive an instant quote.
IMPORTANT: If your batting cage net is going inside a chain link tunnel, PLEASE be sure to keep your net at least two feet away from the walls and ceiling. Chain link fence batting cage tunnels will chew up a net every time a baseball or softball pushes the net in to the fence. If you can’t maintain this distance, consider installing a BASE ANCHOR CABLE to secure your net to the ground and maintain a fixed footprint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to install a cement pad for my net?
You don’t have to install a cement pad for outdoor indoor batting cages. A crushed rock surface is also a good choice. You can even use your cage on dirt or grass.
How deep should my poles be?
The depth of your poles will be determined by local soil conditions and frost line. We recommend talking to a local fencing company. They can often help with installation as well.
Do you provide installation services?
We do provide installation services, however, because we have to travel, it can often be difficult to compete with local general contractors.
Do you have anyone local to me that you can recommend for installation?
Unfortunately, we don’t have any local installers that we recommend, but most fence installation companies are capable of installing our cages. (Fence companies are already good at digging and installing poles, so they are a great resource. If your installer has any questions about installation, we provide instructions, and we are more than happy to provide phone support as well.)
Is a poly net or a nylon net better for outdoor use?
Poly nets, because they are plastic, are inherently water-resistant. However, poly is not as durable as nylon. Nylon nets require additional treatment to be water-resistant. Treatments include a Varnish Dip for Dupont Nylon or a Latex Dip, for most other nets. #36 Nylon is by far our most popular netting for homes, and is our minimum recommendation for high school players.
Are your batting cages HOA compliant?
We have no idea if our cages are compliant with your HOA. Before you make any purchases you’ll want to consult with your HOA to be sure you are following their existing guidelines.
What type of netting do you recommend?
The netting material really depends on the type of weather you encounter according to your location and the ages using the net. For outdoor use a Nylon net with Latex Treatment is typically your best option. Depending on the ages and use, #36 Nylon is ideal for moderate little league to high school use. #42 Nylon is used for heavy high school and light collegiate use. And the #6o Nylon is ideal for collegiate team use and professional netting. There’s also a #96 Nylon available but due to the cost, it’s not accessible for most residential applications. However for commercial, collegiate, and professional use, this is one of the best materials available.
An economical option on the nets is to go with a Poly material. The Poly is a plastic based material and is available in #21 or #36 gauges. These nets cannot have the latex treatment added since it won’t adhere to the Polyethylene material. But again since it’s a plastic based material, these will stand up to the elements on it’s own. The trade off is the Poly has a shorter life-span than a comparable Nylon (e.g. #36 Poly vs. #36 Nylon).
What is the best backyard batting cage frame for private home or residential use?
The Varsity Batting Cage or YardCage kits are the best options for residential use. The YardCage kits are free-standing, so no holes to dig or concrete to pour!
The Varsity kit uses several frame sections. The number of sections depends on the length of the cage. For a 55’L net there is a four frame section and for 70’L nets there is a 5 frame section. Each section consists of two uprights and a cross-member. Ground sleeves are included with each option which allows the user to remove the uprights. This is handy for HOA’s since the inclusion of the ground sleeves means it’s not a permanent structure.
What do you recommend for high wind areas?
For high wind areas, either the Collegiate Batting Cage or ProModel Batting Cage Frames are recommended. The Collegiate consists of 3’6″ diameter poles while the ProModel is available in both 6-5/8″ & 8-5/8″ diameter poles. These are both heavy duty options to ensure the poles won’t break in cases of high wind weather.
Do your frames on the website include everything I need to hang the net?
Yes, the frames on our website (except the *YardCage) include all framing plus all the hardware components to support and hang the net from either the frame or the hardware. *YardCage requires local sourcing of the poles – it’s easy to find, and will save BIG on shipping costs.
Can I get custom size frames?
Yes, you can get custom size frames but there are limitations. Depending on the type of frame, there are max pole lengths available. The Varsity frame uses 13’4″L uprights (with 1-7/8″ or 2-3/8″ diameter poles), the Collegiate uses 20’L uprights (with 3’6″ diameter poles) and the ProModel also uses 20’L uprights (with either 6-5/8″ or 8-5/8″ poles). Any size shorter than those uprights aren’t a problem but if you need poles longer than what’s listed for each individual frame, please contact any sales rep to get pricing.
How much is shipping on the frames?
The shipping on the frames is free to the continental US. There are some delivery fees on the ProModel frame if it’s going to a residence.
