Nothing compares to real grass but batting cages tend to be high traffic areas where feet can quickly destroy well-tended plots. To assuage the damage caused by baseball cleats, most commercial batting cages have opted to use artificial turf. There is no single standard for the kind of artificial turf they use. It is often a question of simple economics, with the lowest cost turf in highest demand. To that point, it is not uncommon find for batting cages lined with used synthetic turf.
Used Turf
According to the product information posted on the website On Deck Sports, "When teams at all levels are upgrading their fields to the newest technology available, [our company] helps them recycle the old artificial turf fields that are being replaced prematurely." This allows batting cage owners and municipalities to buy large swaths of used artificial turf at incredibly low prices. The used turf is not necessarily thought to be inferior, though marking from the field of origin might still be visible.
Power Turf
The basic batting cage turf, according to the product description for low traffic cages on the website Kodiak Sports, is Power Turf. Given that it is woven from straight fiber yarn, this brand of artificial turf traditionally develops obvious signs of wear and tear. It is admittedly a low-grade option, but you can easily install in either indoor or outdoor cages. Moreover, it is sold with Velcro seams for easy installation.
Action Turf
As opposed to power turf, which is made from nylon, action turf is made from polyethylene. This makes it far more durable and gives it a more realistic underfoot tension. It is a popular choice for more upscale cages and when combined with a 1/5-inch (5mm) pad, can feel remarkably life-like and resilient. Consequently, it tends to be more expensive than Power Turf. The price keeps this variant of batting cage turf in low demand.
Lead Warnings
According to the website Just Baseball, "If you find 5mm turf much cheaper or considered overstock..it has lead." Lead was a major contaminant found in various brands of artificial turf. Although turf tainted with lead has been recalled in most states, it is still possible to inadvertently buy batting cage turf containing high amounts of lead. This could be the case when purchasing used turf from stadiums built more than two decades ago.
Posted in: Baseball