Indoor Retractable Batting Cage: Complete Installation Guide By Cari | Published on July 10, 2025July 20, 2025 All you need is 12 feet of unused space to install a retractable batting cage indoors. Start practicing your swing daily in your garage / basement or build that facility of your dreams! They are pretty easy to build once you have all of the supplies. In the video to the right, our friends at Case Baseball demonstrate how to build a garage batting cage step-by-step. From laying out the supplies to pulling your net down the cable lines, we’ll help you along the way. Refer to this article for installation instructions and helpful tips, while following along with the included video for a visual guide. Supplies Checklist Anchor / Flex Plates Cable Line Cable Clamps Turnbuckles Roller Wheels Custom Netting Wood Lag Screws Snap Hooks Before Getting Started Once you receive the supplies for your retractable batting cage, it’s important to get your net out and unfold it completely. This allows the net to acclimate to the temperature, which makes installation easier. If the net isn’t properly acclimated, it may appear to be under-sized when it comes time to install. If your net was treated with NetSeal Latex Dip, it may take several hours to “relax” and stretch out to its full size. The most effective way to help this process is by using gravity. Simply drape the net from an elevated point and allow it to hang freely for a few hours. This is also a great time to take inventory of your hardware and get organized before installation begins. Having everything laid out and ready makes the process smoother and more efficient. Confirm that you have all of the necessary components by cross-referencing the Supplies Checklist. Step One: Hang Header Board Before anything else, you need a solid surface to support your retractable batting cage net system. This is where the header board comes in. It provides a sturdy anchor point for your flexplates, which hold the net in place. First, locate the wall studs with a stud finder, as your header board must be firmly attached to structural framing—not just drywall. ⚠️ Important: Never install flexplates directly into drywall—it won’t provide the support needed. Always secure them to a properly mounted header board. If you’re unsure about how to install the header board safely, consult with a construction professional to ensure it’s done correctly. Step Two: Attach Flexplates to the Header Board Before attaching the flexplates, first determine the correct anchor point height. This sets the height of your cable line. A good guideline is to place anchor points 1 foot below the total height of your net. For example, if you have a 12-foot net, your anchor points should be at 11 feet. This extra foot of slack at the bottom helps collect loose balls. Once your anchor points are marked, securely attach 5″ x 5″ Steel Wall Anchor Plates (also called flexplates) to the header board with wood lag screws at the marked spots. Make sure each plate is level and tightly fastened, as these plates will support the full tension of your net system. Step Three: Install Cable Line To do so, form a loop and run the cable through the anchor plate, securing it with two cable clamps. This side will serve as the fixed or “dead” end of the line, without a turnbuckle. When not in use, this is where the net will rest against the wall. For best results, position the loop at a height that allows the net to hang evenly and maintain tension across its width. Ensure the cable clamps are spaced about 1.5 cable diameters apart and tightened securely to prevent slippage. Step Four: Install Turnbuckles First, attach the opposite end of the cable line to a turnbuckle, then connect the turnbuckle to your anchor point. Use two cable clamps to secure the cable to the turnbuckle eye or hook, spacing the clamps approximately 1.5 cable diameters apart for optimal grip. This side of the system is considered the “live end,” which allows for tension adjustment. Step Five: Tighten Cable Line (Remove Slack) To remove slack from your batting cage cable line, gradually tighten the turnbuckles at the live end of the line. Begin by turning the body of each turnbuckle clockwise using a wrench or by hand if possible. This will pull the anchor and cable ends closer together, increasing tension in the line. Be sure to tighten each turnbuckle evenly to maintain consistent tension across all lines. Continue adjusting until the cable is taut but not overstressed. Leave some slack to fine-tune alignment and tension after the full retractable batting cage system is in place. Avoid over-tightening, which can damage your anchor points or hardware. Once the desired tension is achieved, secure the turnbuckle lock nuts to prevent loosening during use. Step Six: Attach Net to Cable Line Now is the time to evenly distribute your roller wheels and snap hooks across all cable lines. Keep in mind that not every attachment point will require a roller wheel. For optimal functionality, position most of the roller wheels near the live end of each cable line. When not in use, the batting cage net should be stored on the dead end of the cable system. Attach Snap Hooks to the Net Once the net has fully acclimated, you can roll it out beneath the cable lines. Use snap hooks to attach the net by connecting only to the center rib line and border ropes. Do not connect directly to the mesh of the net. Lift the Net to the Cable Line ⚠️ Begin by attaching the corners of the net before moving to the middle lines. This approach helps evenly distribute the weight of the net and simplifies installation. Start by lifting one corner of the net and attaching a few snap hooks to the cable line or roller wheel eye. Then go to the opposite end of that same line and secure the corner there in the same way. You can clip a few hooks in each corner to help support the net. Once the corners are attached, move to the remaining corner and repeat the process. From there, continue working toward the center lines. As you progress, you may need to add more tension to the cable lines to keep the net lifted and properly aligned. When the full net is installed, gradually apply more tension to the cable lines to remove any remaining slack. ⚠️ Avoid over-tightening, as excessive tension can cause damage. If slack persists even after adjusting, you may need to reinforce the anchor points to better support the load. Contact Us For installation support, our experienced team is ready to help. Reach out through our contact form or give us a call at 1-800-877-6787 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM CST.
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