How to Build a Baseball Batting Cage
Batting cages are a valuable learning tool, particularly for the development of young players. Cages provide the opportunity to get in many practice swings. A batter or a helper can analyze flaws on display in your swing, and drill techniques to remedy them. Purchasing full batting cage kits can be expensive. However, by simply purchasing a batting cage net, then building your own support using materials from a local hardware store, you can greatly reduce your cost of installation.
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Things You'll Need
- Batting cage net
- Wood 4 by 4s
- Saw
- Tape measure
- Stakes or spray paint
- L-brackets
- Drill
- Screws
- Eye hooks
- Shovel
- Cement mix
- Water
- Level
Instructions
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1
Purchase a baseball batting cage net to match the available space in your lawn. A larger cage will be more versatile. But if you have a smaller yard, just buy a smaller net and still get your practice cuts in.
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2
Examine the positions of the loops used for hanging the net. It is important to know the height of the netting, as well as the distance from one loop to another.
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3
Cut a 4 by 4 two feet longer than the height of the cage for each loop located along both long sides of the baseball cage netting.
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4
Cut a 4 by 4 crossbeam as wide as the baseball cage netting for every two poles cut in Step 3. Many nets will feature loops in rows of three or more, with one along each long side of the netting, and one or more loops across the width of the netting to hold the center of the net up and prevent sagging. The crossbeams will allow you to mount hooks over the center of the cage to attach these loops.
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5
Lay the netting out where you will be positioning the cage. Mark the locations of the outer loops on each row of loops with stakes or spray paint.
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6
Create a support frame by positioning two poles from Step 3 on the ground, so their outer edges are as far apart as the width of the crossbeams. Then lay a crossbeam atop them and secure in place with L-brackets. Use two L-brackets on each pole. Drill pilot holes through the holes in the brackets then secure with screws.
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7
Mount support eye-hooks to the frame, with a hook at the top of each support pole, and additional hooks along the crossbeam to align with the loops on the netting.
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8
Repeat Steps 6 and 7 for all support frames.
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9
Dig a hole 2-feet deep, 1-foot in diameter, at one pairing of markings.
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10
Position a wood support, with one pole in each hole, then mix and pour cement into the holes, using a level to ensure they are upright. Keep the support stable until the cement sets enough to keep it upright.
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11
Repeat Steps 9 and 10 until all supports are in place.
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12
Hang the netting from the frames by placing the loops over the hooks.
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References
- Photo Credit baseball image by Lucid_Exposure from Fotolia.com
