Baseball Field Equipment

Baseball Field Equipment: frequently asked questions

What is an L-screen used for in baseball?

An L-screen is a protective net on a steel frame shaped like a letter L. The batting-practice pitcher throws over the low arm of the L, then steps behind the tall section on the follow-through, so line drives hit the net rather than the pitcher. A 2.1 x 2.1 m (7 x 7 ft) screen is the usual size for both baseball and softball.

Which net mesh size gives proper baseball field protection?

A regulation baseball is roughly 7.4 cm in diameter, so any mesh from 25 mm to about 44 mm (1–1¾ in) will stop it. Smaller mesh spreads the impact over more strands and resists stretching, which matters behind home plate. Softballs are larger, so the same nets work for both sports. Avoid general garden or football netting with wider gaps.

Do I need a tension cable kit for a batting cage?

If you hang netting between posts rather than using a self-supporting frame, yes. A galvanised steel cable runs along the top of the posts and the net hangs from it on clips or rings; turnbuckles let you tighten the line so the net does not sag onto the batter. Choose a cable a little longer than the cage run so there is enough left to anchor at each end.

What is the difference between anchored and throw-down bases?

Anchored bases fit into ground anchors sunk into the infield, so they stay in place when runners slide into them; that is the set-up used on a proper diamond. Throw-down bases simply lie on the grass and suit casual games, drills and pitches shared with other sports. Home plates are normally set flush with the ground, using a metal anchor or a buried waffle-bottom base.

Sources: baseballsoftballuk.com