Practice Sports, Inc. Installation at University of Nebraska – Haymarket Baseball & Softball Practice Facility By chad | Published on December 2, 2019August 28, 2024 Indoor Baseball & Softball Training Complex Installation At Practice Sports, we’ve handled every type of indoor sports facility installation. Here’s one of our favorites. Key Players University of Nebraska Sampson Construction DLR Group The Opportunity The Alex Gordon Training Complex was the largest practice facility project in the history of the University of Nebraska Baseball and Softball programs. Practice Sports was selected as the lead batting cage and sports net designer, supplier, and installer. The Practice Sports Solution Our input to the architects (DLR). As a result, the practice facility maximizes space, functionality and safety. We also specified the proper materials. Our project manager visited the job-site to consult with Sampson Construction. The visit proved crucial, because our advice helped position major components such as duct-boxes and socks, and steel beams for terminal points. The Brief Installed over 10,000 square feet of custom ceiling and wall perimeter netting 6 custom collapsible / sliding batting cage tunnels Over 10,000 feet of steel cable with 75+ tie-offs, with custom bottom cable vinyl finish wrap Over 5,000 square feet of custom-fit wall padding Columns Wall fixtures Cut-outs around doors Sliding garage doors Sliding vinyl curtains were installed for easy access into storage areas Outdoor safety nets installed on a custom welded track system Provided protection to exterior garage doors from long home-runs at adjoining fields 10,000 Square Feet of Custom Netting Custom Cable Vinyl Wrap 5,000 Sq Feet of Custom-Fit Wall Padding The Timeline One project manager and four installers completed the job within 7 days. We worked around the clock to complete the project in less than 1/2 of the allocated time. Technical Details on this Indoor Sports Facility Installation #60 Gauge Black Nylon Netting for Batting Cages / #36 Gauge Black Nylon Netting for perimeter / ceiling netting 1/4″ Steel Cable with roller wheels Custom termination brackets and wall anchor plates Custom ceiling / wall netting Conforms to duct box and viewing window CurtainCage Batting Cage Suspension Systems with LineLift Kits Custom 18-22 oz Vinyl covered wall padding with 3″-4″ foam Project Challenges Pre-installed ductwork near home plate meant we had to design and fabricate netting on-site. Batting cages were requested to be expanded on-site. As a result, custom fabrication was performed. Project Successes The university was extremely impressed with the completed product. For instance, the ceiling net is amongst the cleanest and most professional in the country. From certain angles, the ceiling net is nearly invisible to the eye. This results in an “open-air” environment, which gives batting practice a game-simulation feel. The wall and column pads are clean and custom fit, with virtually no wrinkles. The batting cage systems operate smoothly, and as a result collapse quickly. Our custom tie-off anchors were crucial because they provide a low-profile appearance and minimal footprint. Custom anchor lanyards were installed on the ends of the batting cages and are vital to the practice experience. For example, the lanyards prevent “cage creep” and ensure the nets do not extend onto the field. In Their Words “We have been extremely impressed with our overall experience with Practice Sports. The netting has proven to be durable, the customer service outstanding, and the overall usability of the cages has been top-notch. We have been very happy with how our new indoor facility has turned out, and a big part of that is because of Practice Sports and their dedication to a quality product.” Will Bolt Head Baseball Coach University of Nebraska Athletics We hope you’ve enjoyed this tour of a indoor sports facility installation. We’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.