Batting cages are used by baseball and softball players to work on their batting skills. Cages are enclosed areas or tunnels that are surrounded by nets to slow down or stop the ball. Batting cages are useful because they allow players to get more swings in less time because you do not have to chase or pick up the batted balls.
Nylon
Nylon is one of the two types of material used for batting cage netting. According to baseball coach John Peter, nylon is the strongest and most expensive of the two forms. The website Batting Nets notes that nylon is stronger, will last longer and holds more weight than poly options. Nylon's strength allows it to have more give, which slows down baseballs more and makes the nylon netting even safer from the threat of ricochets. Batting Nets exclusively recommends using nylon netting for high school ages and older.
Poly
Polyethelene, commonly called poly, is the other material used for batting cage nets. According to Peter, poly is a plastic substance that is melted and formed to make a net. Poly is cheaper and Peter says that poly options will often hold up well in extreme climates such as heat and heavy rain. According to Batting Nets, poly is often a home or backyard option and won't stand up to repeated use with older players.
Tunnel
Batting cages that are strictly used for hitting are usually tunnels that are rectangular. These are fixed structures and netting goes around the entire perimeter of the structure except for the ground. The nets are usually held up by poles, therefore nylon nets are most often used because they are able to absorb more speed from batted balls, thus offering better protection for players.
Portable
Portable batting cages are also used by most teams. These cages come in a few shapes and sizes, the most common of which are the movable cages that are placed on the field. These cages are shaped like a semi-circle to cover the back and side of the batter to prevent foul balls. In addition, these cages eliminate the need for a catcher and prevent balls from reaching the backstop. Some other mini-cages can be used for drills and these cages are usually simply used for players to hit into so that the balls do not travel more than a few feet into the net.
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