In this episode of Major League Remodel workshop, Host Denny Janson helps install a batting cage at the Georgia home of former major-league pitcher George McMichael. The project begins with layout and construction of the cage support and netting, and finished off with addition of a portable pitching mound, pitching machine with ball-feeder, pitch-practice target and even a regulation radar-gun for timing the speed of pitches. In this segment, the project gets underway with prepping the land, installing sleeves in the ground for support poles and erecting a pole frame. Materials: Post-hole digger
8-foot ladder
Cage netting (#42 knitted-nylon netting)
Metal (or PVC) pipe for support poles and sleeve-inserts
1/4" galvanized cable (200 feet)
Cable clips (or wire-rope clips)
Screw-in eye-bolts
Auger-tipped earth anchors
Cable cutter
Screw-in anchors
Installing Support Poles
- To install a batting cage, a wide, flat expanse of yard is required. The project begins with selecting an ideal, flat location and walking off the measurements of the cage area (figure A).
- Once the site has been selected, the netting is stretched out across the measured area where the cage is to be installed (figure B)mlr101_1fI. The netting installed in this demonstration is about 12 feet wide by 14 feet tall by 35 feet long.
- At the corners and lengthwise center-points of the netting are metal attachment rings. Measure out about 6 inches from each of the rings to determine the placement of the support poles. (In the final installation, the net will stretch the extra distance.) In the case of our installation, we needed to ensure that the poles were installed at least 5 feet from an existing fence (figure C).
- Once the locations of the support poles have been established, use a post-hole digger to make holes that are about 2 feet deep (figure D).
- Add the metal sleeve-insert to the first hole, and fill in around it with the dirt that was removed.
- Use a lumber scrap (a 2x4 or 2x6 scrap will work fine) to tamp the dirt down firmly to secure the sleeve in the ground.
- From the first installed sleeve, measure the length of the net and mark the location for the second hole (figure E).
- Repeat the process, digging holes for each of the support sleeves and installing the sleeves firmly in the ground.
- After all of the sleeves have been installed, you are ready to set the anchors. Because of the size of the cage, we measured out 15 feet and over 5 feet to set anchors that will provide adequate tension to balance and support the weight of the net.
- The metal anchors have an eye at the top end and a metal rod with an auger at the bottom. Once the locations of the anchors have been established, install them by screwing them into the ground (figure F).
- You are now ready to begin erecting the poles that will support the net. The support poles are held secure with 1/4" cable. Begin by running cable through the anchor and securing one end of the cable to the anchor. Secure it at the end using a 1-inch cable clip (or wire-rope clip).
- Run the cable through the eye-bolts of two of the poles, then through the second anchor at the opposite end of the cage layout (figure G). Secure the other end of the cable to the anchor using a clip, as before.
- With the first length of cable installed, you are ready to raise the first pair of poles -- the corner poles on one long side of the cage (figure H). Simply lift up the poles and insert the bottom ends into the sleeves at opposite ends of one side of the cage layout. It will be easiest to do this with two people working together.
- Repeat the process with the second set of poles on the other side (figure I).
- Make any necessary adjustments to the cables to ensure that all of the poles are tight and secure. For best results, the poles may be tightened at this point to angle slightly outward. Once the netting is installed, it will pull the poles inward slightly. Adjustments can be made later to straighten the poles and square up the structure.
In the segment that follows, the netting will be raised and secured on the poles to complete the cage structure.
RESOURCES :
Roadside Baseball: A Guide to Baseball Shrines Across America
Model: 0892047143
Author: Chris Epting, Joe Buck
McGraw-Hill Companies
Website: www.mcgraw-hill.com
Triumph and Tragedy in Mudville: A Lifelong Passion for Baseball
Model: 0393057550
Author: Stephen Jay Gould
W. W. Norton & Company
The Science of Hitting
Model: 0671621033
Author: Ted Williams, John Underwood
Fireside Publishing
Batting cage by Stan Mar Sports Nets
Stan Mar Sports Nets
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Website: www.stanmarnets.com
Special thanks for DIY's Major League Remodel
Athlete's Advantage, LLC
Featured in Major League Remodel marathon.
www.athletesadvantage.com
Louisville Slugger factory and museum
800 West Main St.
Louisville, KY 40202
Featured in Major League Remodel marathon.
www.slugger.com
Wilson Sporting Goods
Featured in Major League Remodel marathon.
www.wilsonsports.com
Stan Mar Sports Nets
Batting cage featured in Major League Remodel workshop, episode 101.
www.stanmarnets.com
SpaceMakers Of East Tennessee
Featured in Major League Remodel special.
www.spacemakersofet.com
Memories Photo and Portraits
Knoxville, TN
Photo transfer featured in Major League Remodel marathon.
www.memoriesphotos.com
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
