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How To Build Batting Cage Frames

andybrock | Dec 30, 2009 |

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So your team did okay in last year's league action, but there's some need for improvement especially in the batting category. The winter has set in and you really feel the itch to get your guys together for some indoor practice, but you don't have a place for them to practice batting. You've seen other teams use portable or more flexible type batting cage frames, but the price for manufactured units are quite high. What can you do on a limited budget and a lot of zeal? Why not build your own batting cage frame?

Decide On The Length Based On The Location
First determine just where you will use your batting cage. Portable batting cage frames can be used both indoors and out. Once you have made the decision as to just where the units will be set up, now decide on what size the batting cage is to be. If your batting cage is to house both the batter and pitcher, you must make it long enough to accommodate the distance from the pitcher's mound to home plate and the batter's boxes. That length is sixty feet six inches, so a seventy-foot batting cage for real pitching and batting practice capability is necessary. Another thought along this line is the use of a pitching machine. The batting cage can be shorter, and you could save a great deal of money on material for the batting cage frame as well as the net.

How Wide Should It Be?
The width of most batting cage frames is fourteen feet. That will allow for full swings and foul balls to not be a menace to the batter. The height of the frame should not be any lower than twelve feet tall.

Finalize Your Plans
Now that you have decided on the size of your batting cage frame, draw up some plans. You don't have to be a Frank Lloyd Wright to do this. Just be careful to include all the notes and details to construct your batting cage as well as a sketch of what you want it to look like when it is erected.

Common Frame Materials
While making your plans, determine what material you want makes the most sense for your situation. Many have attempted to make batting cage frames from PVC pipe. This type of frame does all right indoors, but it is too light for outdoor use especially in windy conditions.

If you opt for metal tubing, consider using aluminum rigid conduit. First of all aluminum is a lot lighter in weight than steel and more easily moved around for portable batting cage frames. Secondly, and of great importance to the do-it-yourself batting cage frame builder is that aluminum rigid conduit already has a full line of fittings for attaching lengths and making turns. Aluminum rigid conduit can be formed into ninety-degree bends easily with the right equipment (generally available at the local tool rental store). Aluminum rigid conduit also comes in several sizes up to six inch outside diameter. If you plan on using your batting cages outdoors in the wind, you might want to decide on at least a two-inch diameter aluminum conduit.

One last thought on the design of batting cage frames is the proper selection of the netting. You really need to consider the final size of your batting cage based on available commercially made nettings for the cage. Unless you have a fishing net weaver in your group who is willing to donate a whole lot of work and material into the project, you will probably have to purchase this item ready made.

Make the project a team effort and you will further enjoy not only monetary savings, but also increased camaraderie among those who help you. Good luck with improved batting practice, and have a good time building your batting cage.