What Kind of Batting Cage System Do I Need For My Net? By tony | Published on December 3, 2019April 9, 2020 What Kind of Batting Cage System Do I Need For My Net? The type of Batting Cage System you need depends on whether you need your cage to be collapsible, and whether your cage is going to be indoors or outdoors. Indoor Batting Cage Our most popular indoor batting cages are collapsible along overhead cable lines. We call them Curtain Cages. A typical batting cage overhead cable line assembly looks like this: This diagram shows the basic hardware set up for the Live End of one of the cable line of an indoor net. Standard Size Batting Cage Nets usually require three cable lines per net. This end is called the Live End because it features a turnbuckle. The opposite end is the Dead End, or Terminal End, and terminates into the Anchor Point with no turnbuckle. The turnbuckle is used to adjust the amount of tension on the cable line. The cable clamps keep the cable line secure. snap hooks attach the net to the cable line. We recommend attaching the snap hooks at about 2-3′. Let’s take a quick look at each piece of hardware separately. Indoor Batting Cage Anchor Points for Cable Line Your anchor points will vary depending on what type of wall material you’re going to connect the cable lines to. This chart shows some common wall materials and the appropriate anchor points options for each. Wood headers are often needed when the wall material is not strong enough to support the cable line. Remember, you’ll need two anchor points per line, one for the Live End and one on the Dead End. Batting Cage Turnbuckles and Cable Diameter The size of your turnbuckle and cable line will depend on the span of your cable. These charts show how cable span determines turnbuckle size and the diameter of the cable line. Batting Cage Cable Line The span of the cable determines how much tension will be on the cable line. As a general rule of thumb, there is about 10 lbs. of tension for every foot of cable line. So, for example a 70′ span of cable will have about 700 lbs of tension on it. This tension is distributed over both the Live End, where the turnbuckle is located, and the Dead End of the cable line. This means that each Anchor Point would have about 350 lbs. of tension on it. Batting Cage Cable Crimping Service We send about 5 ft of extra cable per line, to ensure that you’ve got enough cable to create a loop and secure it with the cable clamps. If you’re positive about your distance, we do offer a cable crimp service that attaches the cable clamps at our shop. If you’d like to take advantage of that service, you’ll need to be absolutely certain of your span from wall to wall. Cable Clamps You’ll need at least four Cable Clamps per line. Two for the Live End and two for the Dead End. Tip: Only connect Snap Hooks to thick Border Rope on netting, never to the mesh itself. Space your snaps every 12″ – 36″. Snap Hooks (Carabiners) There’s no standard way to attach the net to the cable line, but we like to use Snap Hooks because they’re durable and easy to use. We recommend installing Snap Hooks every two to three feet along your net. Tip: Only connect Snap Hooks to thick Border Rope on netting, never to the mesh itself. Space your snaps every 12″ – 36″. Types of Indoor Batting Cage Systems Practice Sports offers five options for Indoor Batting Cage Systems. The CurtainCage, the CurtainCage with LineLift Kit, the ShellCage, and the AirCage.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] CurtainCage Batting Cage The CurtainCage Hardware Kit, includes Roller Wheels to allow your cage to collapse against the wall with the Dead End. ShellCage The ShellCage has Collapsible Divider Curtains that give facilities the option to collapse their Batting Cage Nets. This gives them an enclosed space to practice fielding while still offering the protection of fully enclosed Batting Cage net. AirCage The AirCage is an electric, retractable Batting Cage System that allows your facility to quickly raise your Batting Cage Net for space saving storage. Outdoor Batting Cage Systems Practice Sports offers two categories of Outdoor Batting Cage Systems. Free Standing and Inground. Outdoor Free Standing Batting Cage Systems The Cages Plus Light Duty Frame and Net are perfect for portable and temporary applications. Easy to assemble with included net lets player be up and hitting in no time. Light duty frame perfect for pre-poured concrete slabs. Outdoor In Ground Batting Cage Systems nCage Varsity Rib Style System nCage Rib is available in 1-5/8″, 1-7/8″, and 2-3/8″ Upright Diameter. The wider the pole, the longer the cage will last and the better it will withstand high winds. Uprights are cemented in the ground. Sections can be purchased indivudually or in 2 Section, 3 Section and 4 Section for 55′ Nets. There’s no standard for how many sections your net will need, but the more sections you have, the sturdier your net will be. We recommend the 5 Section for 70′ Nets. Eye bolts connect the net to the crossmembers in each section. nCage Commercial The nCage Commercial System cuts down on the number of ricochets by not relying on multiple rib sections. We generally recommend adding the Kicker Stabilization System, for added stability, especially on 70′ nets. nCage Pro Available in a Single Lane or Double Lane model, the nCage Pro gives your cage a clean professional appearance. Schedule 40 6-5/8″ Poles make this our sturdiest, longest lasting cage option. The Bottom Anchor System keeps balls from escaping, even in high winds. Batting Cage Getting Started Guide This was part 3 of our Batting Cage Getting Started Guide, designed to help save you both time and money. Most of our customers need a batting cage net for Baseball or Softball, so this guide is specific to those sports. Here are the questions to ask yourself when getting started. Question 1. What Kind Of Net Do I Need? Question 2. What Size Net Do I Need? Question 3. What Kind of Batting Cage System Do I Need For My Net? Question 4. How Do I Install My Net?
