The Importance of a Baseball Backstop
A baseball backstop is the fence or netting that protects spectators from foul balls and wild pitches. It is an essential piece of safety equipment for all MLB, college, high school, and little league baseball fields.
The ball stop net system is made of robust aluminum posts that are formidably strong and yet conveniently lightweight, enabling them to be lifted and lowered by hand without mechanical lifting equipment. The netting is also UV and weather treated and 100% rot-proof to last for years.
Safety
While it’s a thrill to watch a live game of baseball, the proximity between the players and spectators can pose safety risks. Quality netting protects spectators from flying balls while still allowing them to enjoy the action.
Experienced suppliers can help you optimize your facility for optimum safety while maintaining a phenomenal viewing experience. They will ask questions and gain a full understanding of your project goals before making any recommendations.
Stadium Wood-Backed Pads
Some baseball backstop pads come with plywood sheets installed on the back to add additional structure and reinforcement. This helps prevent the pads from pulling away from their fastenings in windy conditions and offers a level of protection you can expect to find in professional stadiums.
Standard Pads
An economical option, standard backstop pads are generally constructed with thinner poly foam than pro-style pads but offer an immediate line of defense against brick or concrete walls. Youth fields, high schools and even some colleges will benefit from incorporating standard pads into their facilities.
Spectator Coverage
The higher heights of backstop netting prevent spectators from getting hit with foul balls or errant bats, while still allowing them to see the game. Backstop netting systems are also more visually appealing than chain link fences, and can be engineered to provide outstanding sight lines for fans.
Another risk-reducing measure is a baseball field backstop padding system, like those found at many high school and collegiate ballparks. These pads protect players and spectators from injury caused by incoming bats, and are a nice finishing touch for parks that want to give their facilities an upscale professional look.
The broad coverage provided by CGL policies could prove a valuable asset for stadiums and teams named as defendants in spectator injury lawsuits. This includes spectators who assert claims that they were wrongfully detained or ejected from an event or sustained injuries in altercations with stadium security staff. Often, spectator injury allegations can be covered under a separate limit of the policy called Participants Legal Liability.
Design
With recent line drive and foul ball incidents in the news, fan safety is at the forefront of sports facility operators’ minds. Fortunately, backstop netting and baseball barrier nets help contain errant balls, keeping spectators, coaches and players safe and protecting adjacent sports fields, parking lots and concession stands from damage.
For a backstop that’s structurally sound while providing optimal visibility, opt for a chain link design. It offers lower cost than poured concrete and allows you to add the additional netting coverage needed for fan safety.
A tension netting system that combines integrated wall pads with high-strength protective netting is another option. This type of system is available in tie-back and pole-to-pole tension netting styles, creating a clean look and streamlining installation.
Installation
Backstop nets keep fans safe from errant balls and protect neighboring sports fields, buildings and vehicles. They are also engineered to withstand harsh weather conditions and are designed to contain line-drive and foul ball impacts without damaging bleachers or other spectator areas.
With a prefabricated panel system that allows for easy assembly, this baseball backstop delivers extensive coverage and provides an unobstructed view of the game for both players and spectators. Sturdy 2-3/8″ pipe supports anchored deep in concrete footings spaced every 10 feet promise stability and longevity.
This system is a great choice for small to medium sized high schools and community/league based facilities. These systems are usually 40′ to 60′ tall and include full barrier netting running down the foul lines. These systems may also incorporate dugout integration and permanent grandstand seating areas that introduce additional poles to the netting footprint. This increases cost but maximizes netting coverage. This type of system is commonly known as an in-line system.
