The most important component in any batting cage is the netting material used. So why is it so difficult to compare? Go to one site and you'll find an N30 netting. Go to another and you'll find a 1500 series. So how do you compare an N30 to an 1500? It's tough.

Batting cage manufacturers don't necessarily want you to be  able to directly compare so they code the net twine size.

Here's the low down.  As a general rule netting comes in twine sizes. The smaller the number, the thinner the twine. A #24 is about twice as thick, and therefore about twice as strong as #12 twine. A #36 twine is about twice as thick as a #18.

That's really all there is to it. The problem is, how do you know the twine size? Many companies simply advertise the twine making it easy. Other companies code their product, so you don't know unless you ask. (a few won't tell you even if you do ask)

Example: One company sells a 1500 series net. You'd think this would mean a #15 twine size right? Wrong. Their 1500 series is a #12. Their 2100 series is a #18, and their 4000 series is a #36. Their own numbering system is close enough to the popular twine sizes that people naturally assume a direct correlation. This is deceptive.

Another company does it a little differently, and a lot more honestly. Their N36 netting should be a #36 twine right? Well, it is and their N30 is a #30 twine.

The bottom line is this, just because you see a model number that is close to a twine size, don't assume it is the twine size.

#12 Twine: Not suitable for batting cages. (excellent choice for keeping birds out of your garden)

#18 Twine: The very minimum for batting cages. With light use may last 2-3 years.

#21 Twine: Pretty good. Not commercial, but a decent net. With moderate use may last up to 4-5 years.

#30 Twine: Generally considered a lighter duty commercial  quality. Moderate to heavy use 4-6 years.

#36 Twine: A very good cage. Universally considered commercial quality.

#42 Twine. The best. Many pro teams use #42 twine for heavy use. Perfect for commercial batting cage applications.

Materials:

Nylon

The traditional standby material for batting cages has always been either knotted or knotless nylon netting.

Upside- Nylon has the strongest break strength, and is by far the most durable cage for indoor use. Nylon has excellent resistance to abrasion, and outstanding overall durability.

Downside- First of all, nylon is expensive. Secondly, nylon netting can absorb water, so many manufacturers treat the nylon with some sort of bonding agent by either dipping or spraying the twine. Although treating nylon with a bonding agent will dramatically reduce nylon's tendency to soak up water, it doesn't stop it entirely. Eventually nylon can shrink, and rot.

When compared with polyethylene netting, it turns out that nylon starts out stronger than polyethylene, but deteriorates faster. Nylon loses between 15% and 20% of its strength each year depending on conditions. For year one, a #36 nylon will have a greater break strength than a #36 polyethylene, but depending upon weather conditions, by the end of the third year polyethylene may be as strong, and KVX200tm may be stronger.

The Bottom Line- If your cage is going indoors, and durability is more important budget, nylon is the way to go. If break strength is your key concern, nylon is still the king.

Polyethylene

Upside- Polyethylene netting is gaining in popularity, mainly because it is inexpensive, but also because it does not deteriorate due to moisture as quickly as nylon.

Although polyethylene is not as strong as nylon initially, as time goes by and the netting is exposed to moisture, polyethylene retains I higher percentage of its strength. Polyethylene does not absorb water, so the problem of rotting and shrinkage  disappears.

Downside-Polyethylene netting has drawbacks as well. Most blends of polyethylene don't hold up well to direct sunlight. This works well for indoor application, but it may not be practical over the  long haul for outdoor use, especially in warmer climates.

The Bottom Line- If budget is the key concern, you get a pretty good bang for the buck with polyethylene. Be Careful! Some polyethylene cages can breakdown prematurely in the sun. Not all polyethylene cages incorporate UV inhibitors. (Ours do)

At Batting Cages, Inc. we make products out of urethane treated nylon, polyethylene, polyester, and KVX200.

Upside- KVX200 tm  premium netting is a commercial polymer that is also used in bullet proof vests. This material is strong, lightweight, does not absorb water, and resists breakdown in direct sunlight. KVX200 employs an integral UV inhibitor. This means that the UV inhibitor is one component that is already inside the polymeric blend that gets extruded into individual fibers. Those fibers are then twisted or braided into twine. Since the UV inhibitor is built right into KVX200, the UV inhibitor doesn't wear off, as it can with nylon.

Since KVX200 doesn't absorb water as nylon can, it resists rotting better than nylon or other materials.

Downside- KVX200 tm is more expensive than polyethylene, although it is less expensive than nylon. While KVX200 tm may be stronger than polyethylene, it doesn't have the break strength of Nylon.

The Bottom Line- With KVX200 tm you'll get an excellent bang for the buck. KVX200 tm is Priced in between nylon and polyethylene, (closer to polyethylene) but for outdoor use the performance is nearly on par with nylon. These cages may provide the best value for users concerned with both quality and price.

Assembly:

Next to the netting material, the sewing is the most important factor determining how a net will wear. If your cage is assembled with light thread, or the stitching is loose, even the best panels can come apart.

Our batting cages are assembled on state of computer controlled sewing machines. These machines tightly weave a thick cord around the rope perimeters in a positive locking pattern that provides the strongest possible bind between the netting and the rope.

Finally, we sew an extra rib line the runs down the middle of top panel from front to back. This provides an extra support point so you can keep the net held high without putting undue stress on the perimeter.

Our craftsmen have been building commercial batting cages for over 25 years. We take pride in building our batting cages of the highest quality materials at an affordable price. Find out why professional players and clubs trust our batting cages for their long durability under stringent use conditions.

Returns and Warranty Policy

Because our cages are hand made, from the finest materials, we rarely have to deal with warranty issues. Our policy is to promptly and enthusiastically repair or replace at our option any product that is defective in materials or workmanship. You return the product to us, and we will pay for the shipping back to you. Naturally, netting products do incur normal wear and tear, and normal wear and tear is not considered a defect.

If the product isn't defective, but you change your mind, we will still accept returns on stock items. For custom orders we can't accept returns, nor can we accept order cancellations after we have cut the netting. Stock items must be returned to us within 15 days and the product must be unused. We will reimburse you for the price you paid less a nominal 15% restocking charge. Naturally we don't reimburse your shipping charges.