By netsofamerica | Sep 18,2018 | Uncategorized
Baseball Nets 2018: Are you buying the right net? What’s New or Not?
Baseball Nets 2018 & making the game a great sport to play. Calling it “America’s favorite pastime.” It is and has been a leading youth sport among boys. But, you already knew that, which is why you are reading this. Choosing the right baseball bat or catcher’s mitt can be easy. Choosing a net for your baseball batting cage is a whole other beast. Since it’s not something that is bought many times, purchasing one for the first time could be a daunting task. That’s why we’re going to give you all the information you need when it comes to baseball cages and nets.
Baseball Nets 2018: How to Buy a Baseball Batting Cage and Net?
Baseball Nets 2018 & If you are planning on getting a batting cage net then you would want to make the right choice the first time. A batting cage net is going to be a significant investment that is crucial for the serious baseball player. The importance of getting a good baseball batting cage net cannot be denied. The batting cage can significantly help raise a ballplayer’s game and can even have an impact on the outcome of a season when used correctly. But, that’s provided you’ve made the right choice and have got yourself a good baseball cage and net.
Baseball Nets 2018: Permanent Batting Cage vs Backyard Batting Cage
Baseball Nets 2018 leaves you with a few choices when it comes to getting a batting cage and nets. The first is going to be the permanent batting cage, an indoor batting cage, or an outdoor batting cage. So, which one should you go for?
No matter what option you go with it is all going to start with the quality of the frame. Obviously, this cage is going to have to be large enough for a person to swing and pitch in. The frame is comprised of heavy duty galvanized steel at least 2″ out side diameter measurements. Make sure it is galvanized and you can start with schedule 40 poles as the bare minimum. Remember, if you are going for a permanent cage in your backyard make sure that your poles are at least 2 feet deep. When it comes to a batting cage frame the price mainly depends on the quality of the frame. But, the heavier steel gauge pipes will stay in place for a longer period of time.
If you are purchasing baseball nets 2018 for the first time you will have to consider the size & budget. The dimensions of your batting cage or net will not determine whether or not you make it into the big leagues. If you have a limited budget or limited space, then its best to make the most of your space.The important factor to consider first off is to make sure you cage comes in one piece. Their are companies out there that sell their nets in multiple pieces. The mesh size should be square hung and made to stop baseballs with 1-3/4″ opening. The square mesh netting makes it easy to work with and install.
As a rule of thumb, the biggest bang for the buck will be the #36 gauge netting. The #36 gauge is sold to 90% of the customers nationwide.
Baseball Nets 2018 & now for the good part. There’s a lot that goes into batting nets than one would expect. We will dissect the details that often gets missed out when purchasing batting nets.
Baseball nets are available in two types, the nylon & poly. Both nylon & poly netting have good features. When you are buying a batting cage net, you will want to make sure you are getting the best quality for the price you are paying. This is where the use of scales could come in handy. Normally, there are number scales, such as #21 being of basic strength and #36 being stronger. The #60 is a beast. While this could not seem like much to the layman, a small difference such as this can easily add up to two to three years on the life of your baseball batting net.
However, this is not the case. In our experience, the thickness does make the next last a few years more than the previous number but the material plays a major factor in the longevity of netting. Our experience shows that one material has 1/3 the lifespan of the other.
Baseball Nets 2018: Batting Net Basics
Don’t be confused with netting options. The following information will give you a better idea of what to look for in different batting cage nets.
Baseball Nets 2018: Nylon or Polythelene Batting Cage Nets
The nylon batting cage nets normally tend to be more expensive. That’s because nylon batting cage nets are easier to repair and last longer. The only downside to nylon batting cage nets is that their black color, after many years, may turn grey over time. Another small fact is that nylon stretches to 1% of its size. But when you consider for example the #36 nylon vs the #36 poly outdoors, we are looking at 8 years for the nylon and 5 years for the poly.
Polythelene batting cage nets are another good option that will allow you to save in the purchase cost since they are a cheaper option. A Polythelene batting cage net is the best option for those on a budget as well as for those who want something cheap indoors. Polyethylene batting cage nets must come with UV protection, so it can last up to 3 years. Without it, you will be lucky to get 6 months from it.
UV protected nets have it built into the fibers rather than dipped on later in the production cycle. The downside of buying a Polythelene batting cage net is that it may be harder to repair when damaged as compared to nylon. And most of all, it has 1/3 the lifespan on average compared to Nylon. This is the reason why heavier users should consider opting for a higher gauge rather than a lower one.
While both baseball nets 2018 look good, it is important to find out what you are getting into before you purchase the net for your batting cage. The net strength of a nylon batting cage net is measured as tensile strength. The tensile strength is a measure of a single strand of the fiber which is stretched out vertically and is then measured digitally to the point where the strand snaps. For instance, if you are looking to purchase a heavy-duty nylon net, a single strand will normally break whenever there’s 320 lbs. of resistance applied to it, while the strand from a lower gauge net will snap after a resistance of 220 lbs. or lower.
So, how does this effect the player? Needless to say, the heavier the net, the longer it is going to last. This is true despite of ball abrasions or the effects of the climate on the net, or how many times it is being used, and by how many players. The following are some of the reasons why many people prefer to go for a nylon baseball batting cage net:
Breaking Strengths | ||
Nylon | HDPE/Poly | |
#21 | 209 lb | 128 lb |
#36 | 339 lb | 189 lb |
#42 | 370 lb | 220 lb |
#60 | 556 lb | 300 lb |
Baseball Nets 2018: Polythelene Batting Cage Nets
Polyethylene nets or HDPE nets are made of plastic. They are melted and then extruded into thin strands. The strands when twisted, knotted or braided can be used as netting for many sports or industrial netting. The netting is formed from a liquid. it is easy to add color as well as UV protection to the mix so that each of the strands stay their color. This UV will run off quickly with weather elements and you will get 1/3 the life of a Nylon net.
This plastic net is going to absorb water during rainy season, which will lead towards the addition of unwanted weight to the frame of the batting cage. Also, since Polythelene nets weigh less as compared to nylon netting. Because they weigh less and have a smaller breaking strength, they usually end up lasting shorter than nylon even when used in places where there are temperature swings, or in places where it rains constantly.
The major downside of using a Polythelene batting cage net is that it can turn a bit stiff and is it not very easy to repair as compared to the nylon option. The following are some reasons why many people prefer to use Polythelene batting cage nets:
This is a big question when it comes to getting a batting net. There are some a few important questions you should answer before getting a net. The first one being, what size net do I need?
The Size of the Batting Net
Education is the key to have a better idea of the materials that are used in making batting cage nets. Also grasping the difference a gauge makes when choosing a batting cage net, it’s time to move on to another important question that you need to answer – the size of the batting net.
To get the best answer the first thing you have to do is consider the amount of space you have. This is particularly important if you are trying to install the batting cage net outdoors. In this case, it’s best to keep a distance of five feet between the net and the spectators who will be sitting behind it, or delicate objects such as glass windows. It is also important to allow a minimum of at least 12” of space between your net and any hard walls that are behind it such as concrete or wood since this will help reduce the ball from ricocheting from the wall.
It is also important that you place the net at least 12” below any overhead beams and 3” below any lighting fixtures. Also, if you are going to use side-by-side tunnels, then they should be at least 3” apart. That said, its best to leave an air pocked between the net to keep the ball from pushing which could create a safety risk for the neighboring tunnel.
Once you have used the principles to determine the size of the batting cage net you can look more specifically at other factors of the batting cage net such as the height, length and width.
The Height
12′ is the standard for tunnel height. This is also the main reason why most stock nets are always 12” tall. Since the minimum height for most adults is 8′, but at that height, many are unable to pitch full overhand. It is also important to leave at least 12” slack on the ground which will make it easier to gather the balls. This means for a 12′ cage your net is going to be 11′ tall. Getting taller nets is always going to be better since it means your net will have a longer lifespan due to the increased distance between the batter and the net. It also helps for better ball tracking since there’s limited obstruction.
The Width
A 12′ wide batting net is the standard size for adults. 14′ is the most popular size width. A wider cage is also better because of improved ball flight tracking, and it also helps extend the lifespan of the batting cage net. Indoor facilities typically go with 15′ or more.
The Length
The length of the batting cage is going to depend on the space you have. For instance, if you are planning on using a pitching machine, then it is best to use a 70′ foot net. This will improve the reaction time of the players by giving them more time to react to the pitches and bat effectively. The large size of the net will also allow them to get a feel of live game conditions. On the other hand, if you do not plan on using a pitching machine, then a 55′ foot net should suffice. Those who are going to be using their cage net for soft toss can also down size to 40′ or less depending on your requirements. If you are looking to hit off of a turf, you can down size to 20′ or less.
It is important to keep in mind that with a shorter batting cage net length, players are not going to be able to track the ball flight. As all baseball players know, tracking ball flight is extremely crucial for instant feedback on your swing.
Now that you have found out all there is to know about getting a baseball batting cage net you can find one that suits your needs.