BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL
Upgrading Your Facilities
All photos provided by Beacon Athletics
By Nick Balistrieri
When deciding to upgrade your baseball or softball facilities , there are a lot of things to consider . It ’ s easy to accumulate a substantial wish list quickly , so distinguishing between your needs and wants is crucial to maximize your budget . Let ’ s explore several areas in and around the field where improvements can be made , along with important considerations to keep in mind during this process .
Typically , you can get 30 to 40 feet in height for less money in netting than a 30- to 40-foot chain link system . We recommend incorporating some sort of knee wall , so the netting doesn ’ t come straight to the ground . This will help with mitigating damage from maintenance equipment and little critters — increasing the longevity of the net . Those walls can
BACKSTOP NETTING SYSTEMS Backstop netting systems will be an improvement both players and fans will appreciate . Removing those bulky and beat up chain-link backstops will give your field a big-league feel , and fans will appreciate the improved sightlines offered by fewer poles and netting . The scuffing balls get when they are constantly fouled off a metal fence doesn ’ t happen with netting .
18 SportsField Management | December 2023 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com