Batting Cage Frame Learning Center

Batting Cage Frame Construction and Care

Why hang the batting cage net inside of the frame?

• To prevent hit balls from hitting a frame pole and rebounding back and hitting and hurting the batter;
• To prevent the ball from hitting the net against a frame pole and cutting the net. This is why the width of the frame is a couple of feet wider than the net.

Frame assembly:

• Snap-pins allow for easy tool less assembly;
• Eyebolts must be tightened onto pipes for a secure fit;
• Self-Tapping screws have drill heads to allow for easy assembly.

Taking the Batting Cage Net in the Winter:

• Weather elements;

Critters;

We recommend taking the net down during the winter because a big snow will attach to the top of the net and the it's weight will destroy the frame. Different weather elements are also harmful to the net;

During the winter, critters will eat their way into the batting cage net and eat their way back out.

What are the differences in the tubing?

Gauge of Steel:

• The smaller the gauge the thicker the steel. Most of our competitors use 18 gauge steel (.0500") in their pitcher L frames, and we use 16 gauge (.0625") which is 20% stronger.

Powder Coating vs. Galvanized Pipe:

• Powder coating looks great, but will rusts on the inside and if the pipe is scratched, it will rust there also;

• Galvanized pipe is treated inside and out, with chemicals, for prevention of rust;
• We use galvanized pipe because we feel that it is a better product.

Square Pipe vs. Round Pipe:

• Round pipe is easier to work with;
• Round pipe is stronger than square pipe.

Straight vs. Angled Legs?

• The wind is a batting cage frame's number one enemy;
• Angled legs make a stronger and more wind resistant frame. We have found that using 1.5" steel with the legs on an angle and the frame tied in place with end ropes, makes an excellent frame;
• Vertical legs look best and will hold up well when using 2-1/4" pipe;
• Angle supports are 16' to 17' lengths of 1.5" steel with one end attached to the top of the end arch and the other end inserted in ground toward the other end of the frame. This makes for a solid frame preventing the arches end from bowing inward.

Attaching the Arches to the Ground?

• Ground Sleeves - Our commercial batting frames use ground sleeves (a piece of pipe larger than the frame's leg) cemented into the ground. This allows for the arches to be inserted into the ground sleeve and be securely attached to the ground;
• Ground stakes - are used, on our more economical frames, to attach the arches to the ground. The stakes are not permanent, but help keep the arch in place, with the use of end ropes;
• Anchor Plates - When attaching a frame to concrete or where the surface will not allow for a ground sleeve to be cemented into the ground, we use anchor plates and bolt them to the concrete.

Cable Frames vs. Stand-Alone Frames?

• Cable frames have three long cables between the arches for the net to attach to. They support the full length of the batting cage and the center of the batting cage;
• Stand-alone frames have pipes between the arches;
• We choose the cable frames because:
  • The net can hang from both the outside cables and the center cable;
  • Stand-alone frames do not have the middle cable, running the length of the net, and the middle of the net can only hang from the middle of each the arch which makes the center of the net droop.