Setting up a batting net in a suburban yard
Setting up a batting net in a suburban yard
A batting net turns a lawn into somewhere a swing can be practised without losing a ball over a fence every third hit. Most of the difficulty is not the net itself but where it goes, and that is worth thinking about before the box is opened.
How much room a net actually needs
A 6×6 net is the common home size. The net itself is six feet square, but the space it needs is considerably more: room behind for the net to give, room in front for a full swing, and clearance on the swing side so the bat does not meet a wall or a washing line.
As a rough working figure, allow about twelve feet of depth and ten feet of width for a 6×6 net with a right- or left-handed hitter. Less than that and the swing gets shortened to fit the space, which defeats the purpose.
What is behind the net matters
A net stops the ball; it does not stop it instantly. A ball hit hard into a net will push the netting back by a foot or more. Siting the frame a stride away from a fence, a window or a parked car is the single most useful decision in the whole setup.
What comes in a typical set
Home batting sets usually bundle several things, and they do different jobs.
The tee
A batting tee removes the pitch from the equation entirely, so the swing can be worked on in isolation. For a young player this is where most of the useful practice happens. An adjustable tee that covers the strike zone from knees to letters is worth more than a fixed one.
The strike zone target
A strike-zone panel hung on the net gives a pitcher something to aim at and gives immediate feedback. It is the difference between throwing at a net and practising location.
Weighted balls
Weighted training balls are heavier than a regulation ball and are used for short, controlled work rather than volume. Where a set includes one, the listing will usually say the weight. They are a supplement to normal practice, not a replacement for it.
Frames, poles and the wind
Most home nets use a fibreglass or steel-pole frame with a fabric sleeve. They are quick to assemble and quick to fold, and they are also large flat surfaces in a garden. A net left up in a gusty week will move unless it is pegged.
The other failure mode is sun. Netting and the fabric sleeve both degrade with prolonged exposure, so a net that folds into its bag between sessions lasts noticeably longer than one that lives on the lawn from spring to autumn.
Setting up on grass and on hard ground
On grass, ground pegs through the frame feet are usually enough. On a driveway or patio, pegs are not an option; sandbags across the base or weights on the rear feet do the same job. A net that skids backwards on concrete after every hit will end up against something it should not be against.
A workable routine
Practice with a net tends to work best in short, frequent sessions rather than long ones. Twenty minutes of tee work with a specific aim beats an hour of hitting as hard as possible. Rotating between tee work, soft toss and target throwing keeps a session from becoming repetitive.
Practical checks before ordering
- Measure the space including run-out behind the net, not just the net footprint.
- Check whether a tee is included and whether it adjusts.
- Confirm the set includes pegs, and use them.
- Check the folded size against wherever it will be stored.
- Check bat clearance on the swing side before deciding the position.
Where this sits in the shop
Everything discussed above comes back to one part of the shop: Baseball and Toss Games, which currently holds 2 listings between $25.98 and $53.99. The whole of it is picked and packed at Ice House Sports, 473 Washington St, Wellesley, MA, during Mon–Fri 11am–5pm, Sat 10am–4pm, closed Sunday — so anything written here can be checked by phoning the counter on ((781) 237-6707.
From our shelves
- Toss and Catch Ball Game, Kids Toddler Baseball Glove & Catch Ball Toys, Outdoor Games for — $25.98
- 6x6FT Baseball Net, Baseball & Softball Training net with Batting Tee, Strike Zone & — $53.99
What we get asked about this
What can I pay with?
Checkout accepts Pay with cards and more, Card, WeChat Pay, Airwallex – Express Checkout, Klarna and Afterpay. Card details are handled by the payment provider and never stored on this site.
Can I return something?
Yes — unused goods, within 30 days of delivery. If the mistake was ours, we pay the return postage. Full detail is on the Refund and Returns Policy page.
Read next
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- Indoor games that survive a New England winter
Ordering from Ice House Sports
Orders of $49.00 or more ship free anywhere in the United States, and a flat $5.99 covers everything below that. Handling takes 1–2 business days and carrier transit is normally 3–7 business days. Unused items can go back within 30 days, and if the mistake was ours we pay the return postage.
Questions about anything above go to [email protected], answered within 1 business day, or call (781) 237-6707. Full detail is on the Shipping Policy and Refund and Returns pages.