When you plan to buy batting cage nets two things would come to your mind. The first is what should be the length of nets and the other is what would be the price. Consider the kind of set up that you have in mind as this would help to ascertain the ideal net length that actually determines the price. Do not get misled by the idea that you would need a 70 feet long cage with an expensive pitching machine. For an average home user, a cage length between 45 and 55 feet would be suitable to perform all applications, batting practice and drills that a player would have to go through to succeed at the high school level. And there is no need of a pitching machine at all along with batting cage nets as it can be added later on, if you need it at all.
Be Objective in Selection
When you make an investment for batting cage nets you must be careful to keep away from some misconceptions that might result in over investment or could discourage you from buying. To determine the most logical cost estimate you have to take a pragmatic view about net usage that will help to overcome two common misconceptions that surround the selection of batting cage nets.
- Extra long batting cage – There is a thinking that to suit players of all ages and of all levels from high school to collegiate levels the length of batting cage should be much more than the average length of 35 to 50 feet. According to some people a 70 feet length would be ideal and all purpose. This is far from the truth because 50 feet net is sufficient to allow batting practice drills of all types including front-toss and long-toss as these can be performed for regular pitching distances with satisfaction. The batter’s reaction in swinging the bat to pitches aimed at 35 feet is similar to what the batter would have done to counter higher speeds at the standard pitching distance. There is no qualitative change in the elements of swinging the bat hence there is no need of extra length of batting cage.
- Pitching machines are not a necessity – High speed pitching at 75 miles per hour that is achieved by pitching machines may sound quite thrilling but not at all essential to derive the benefits of practicing batting in a batting cage. The average manual speed of 45 miles per hour pitched at 30 feet from live pitching is ideal to give the best practice to batters as they have to get used to the pitcher release point, the pitcher arm slot and have to adjust his timing to the speed of pitch that is thrown at him. A person throwing can make changes in speed and location of pitch and the batter gets more opportunities of striking.
Buying batting cage nets is not at all expensive if you are clear about your objectives that can help to optimize cost.
