View Cart
FAQ
- What is the difference between Nylon and Poly Batting Cages and Nets?
- Why Choose Red Dirt Batting Cages and Turf?
- How are your Nets Made?
- What are the different Netting Twine Sizes?
- What is the break strength of your netting?
- What is the difference between Knitted (Knotless) and twisted (Knotted) Netting?
- What is the difference between Diamond & Square Mesh?
- What is the difference in your Baseball Turf?
What is the difference between Nylon and Poly Batting Cages and Nets?
Nylon is the traditional material developed by DuPont over 70 years ago. Nylon is produced in a white color, and can be treated/dyed into any color. Nylon offers the highest initial break strength. It is initially a much stronger material than Polypropylene or Polyethylene. But Nylon has two drawbacks: Nylon absorbs water and breaks down in UV light. Although the UV coating helps protect against UV light and water absorption it is only on the exterior of the net and not in the actual netting fibers themselves. Nylon is by far the strongest material when used indoors, or in a covered practice facility.
Why Choose Red Dirt Batting Cages and Turf?
From looking on the Internet or through Baseball catalogs you can tell this is a very competitive industry. Whenever one company makes something new everyone else follows suit. Different companies come up with rather creative names for the same product. We are innovators in the industry. We have made nets and batting cages since 1963. Our products are top quality; they have been leading the industry for over 40 years. In addition to carrying the industries top of the line cages and turf, we try to have some of the best pricing and customer support possible. Here, we are honest and actually care about helping the customer.
How are your Nets Made?
Our standard Poly and Nylon nets are all made by hand. They feature heavy duty Rope Borders. Further, the rope borders of our nets are weaved through the mesh and sewn into the cage - other companies call this "Posi Lock" stitching. What this does is reduce the friction of the rope border against the net as well as make an even line of stress across the net instead of only a few attached points. After your net is sewn, we check every net with a black light for any imperfections or tears. Lastly, we hang your batting cage before you ever get it, just to make sure one last time that everything is correct.
What are the different Netting Twine Sizes?
Many companies use different Sizes and codes to try to conceal from the consumer the actual thickness of the net. A general rule is the higher the number the thicker the net. But be careful, just because one company might call a net the Premier 2000 Series, does not mean it is a stronger net than # 45 twine. (Our strongest Poly net) A good rule of thumb is to call and ask for a sample. If they will not send a sample, I would be weary.
What is the break strength of your netting?
Break strength is very arbitrary. We do not like to give break strength of our nets. We do not want to be liable, and it is very subjective process. You must consider all the conditions at hand. For instance, our Nylon net installed indoors will by far have the strongest break strength, but put that net in Florida with high humidity, high heat, and strong UV light and in the course of two years that net will be weaker than any of our poly nets.
What is the difference between Knitted (Knotless) and twisted (Knotted) Netting?
Twisted netting has knots and consists of three strands twisted together. Knitted netting has no knots and is sewn together. What is stronger depends on how the netting is made, and there is still very much debate among manufactures and baseball/softball enthusiasts. We believe when sewn correctly knitted netting can be stronger. The twisted netting creates knots which stick out from the rest of the net and create initial points of abrasion. Where the knitted netting is flat and will wear evenly.
What is the difference between Diamond & Square Mesh?
Square Mesh Nets hang straight up and down, just like the net itself. Diamond Mesh hangs sideways and is pulled from side to side. Some companies say that Diamond Mesh is better and some say the Square Mesh is better for these two reasons: Diamond Mesh is pulled from side to side making the netting stretch absorbing the ball over several meshes, instead of one single spot. Square Mesh is easier to assemble/sew and allows the net to hang more "true". All or our twisted batting cages are Square mesh and all of our Knitted batting cages are diamond Mesh.
What is the difference in your Baseball Turf?
The same principals that apply to Batting Cages apply to our turf. We have both Nylon and Poly Turf with or without a Foam backing. The Nylon turf will be stronger indoors, but outside the UV light will break down the turf making it harden. The Poly turf, although not initially as strong as the Nylon turf, will hold up better in Sunlight thus making it better for outdoor use. The turfs are available with or without padding depending on the subsurface you are putting the turf on. If you are covering a cement floor, I recommend the foam padding. If you are using the turf outside on compacted ground, you will not need the padding.