5 Little-Known Secrets to Buying Great Baseball Cage Netting

Everyone knows to look for a high ply rating and UV resistance when buying batting cage netting — but there's more to a smart netting purchase than the obvious stuff. Here are five lesser-known factors that make a big difference in long-term performance.

Secret 1: Knotted vs. Knotless Netting Matters More Than Ply

Knotted netting has individual knots at each mesh intersection. Knotless netting has a twisted, woven construction. For batting cages, knotted netting is significantly more durable at impact points — when a ball hits a mesh intersection, the knot absorbs the force rather than stressing the fiber itself. Always choose knotted for batting cages.

Secret 2: Border Rope Quality Determines Attachment Success

The border rope sewn into the perimeter of the netting is what you actually attach to your frame. Cheap netting often has thin, poorly-attached border rope that tears away from the mesh under load. Look for 5/16" or larger braided border rope that's tightly sewn through multiple mesh rows. It makes a noticeable difference in long-term attachment integrity.

Secret 3: Mesh Size Affects Ball Size Compatibility

The standard 1¾" mesh works for both baseball and softball. But if you're exclusively using dimpled pitching machine balls, the smaller diameter means you should stick with 1¾" or smaller — larger mesh can allow dimpled balls to partially pass through or catch awkwardly in the net.

Secret 4: Buy Slightly Larger Than Your Cage

Net manufacturers sell in standard sizes. Always buy netting that's 2–3 feet larger in every dimension than your cage frame. This accounts for the material used in tie-offs, bungee attachment slack, and natural sagging. A net that's exact to your frame dimensions will be too tight and stress attachment points.

Secret 5: Where You Buy Matters for Custom Sizes

Retail netting is sold in standard lengths. For custom cage sizes (55', 62', or odd dimensions), buy direct from a netting manufacturer. Suppliers like Gourock, Net World Sports, or national batting cage suppliers sell cut-to-order netting at competitive prices with much better customization than big-box stores.

Final Thoughts

The difference between a $200 netting job and a $400 netting job is often the difference between replacing netting annually versus every 7–10 years. Make the smart investment upfront.