Five Benefits of Training on Artificial Turf In Indoor Batting Cages
We’re fast approaching the time of the year where outdoor baseball training becomes trickier than ever, but that needn’t mean your team’s practice schedule should come to a standstill. If you’ve been thinking about bringing indoor batting cages into the picture, your decision is probably resting on a couple of areas in particular: will they help get the most out of your players, and will they be cost-effective? Goat Turf’s world class, custom-designed turnkey baseball facilities hit it out of the park in both respects, and – as we outline below – actually provide solutions to a whole host of problems commonly presented by the natural grass surfaces associated with outdoor cages. Let’s have a look at why indoor cages are “ahead in the count” in more detail…
Player Performance
Ultimately, the whole point of a batting cage in the first place is for players to practice their timing and aim. And, outdoors, you just can’t count on an even surface; for a batter, the difference between success and failure can be determined in a split second, so marginal gains count for everything. That’s the beauty of artificial turf. Because it affords the batter a consistent, stable platform, they can hone in on perfecting their stance, footwork and hand-eye coordination – and a potentially game-winning swing.
Safety
Outdoor facilities, especially those in regular use, can take a real hammering, leading to natural grass developing bumps and divots and, in turn, a far higher chance of a player picking up an injury. Both SYNLawn’s SYNPlay 48 and SYNPlay 60 – critical elements of Goat Turf’s turnkey sports facilities – are equipped with an energy-absorbing cushion, lessening the impact on a player’s joints. Furthermore, artificial turf doesn’t require any of the chemicals associated with the maintenance of natural grass, such as fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.
Easy Maintenance
The natural grass that’s common to outdoor cages doesn’t just need those chemicals to keep it in shape; it also has to be mowed, edged and weeded. And, particularly in areas prone to lengthy spells of hot, dry weather, there can also be a lot of watering to do. Artificial turf, however, requires very little attention in comparison. Just make sure you’re keeping on top of brushing, debris removal and, occasionally, some surface cleaning, using hosed water to do away with dust and small particles. With SYNLawn’s exclusive EnviroLoc+ Backing System technology, the turf can retain its lush, green appearance for many years.
Durability
Goat Turf’s SYNLawn products can make year-round training a reality, given they’re so resistant to wear and tear – as well, of course, as the elements. With natural grass, intense use can lead to bald spots and, annoyingly for a player, depressions. However, artificial turf – with fibers comprised of materials like nylon and polypropylene – can withstand heavy foot traffic and intense activity without showing any sign of damage. And, deployed outdoors, there’s probably no greater marker of artificial turf’s durability than its ability to hold up to inclement weather, with SYNLawn’s EnviroLoc+ Backing System boasting a proven drainage pattern.
Cutting Down on Costs
Last, but certainly not least, we understand that money matters. While there’s obviously a cost attached to installing artificial turf in the first instance, you’re only going to save money in the long run as a result of many of the factors referred to above. There are plenty of maintenance costs associated with an outdoor facility at the best of times – and even then, it’s unlikely you’ll ever feel totally confident that it’s going to be usable all year round. Where excess rainfall is a concern, natural grass can swiftly become unplayable – potentially permanently, forcing it to be ripped out and replaced. In areas susceptible to drought-like conditions, water usage can easily get out of hand – ramping up your outgoings. Furthermore, with artificial turf, there’s no need to pre-emptively treat the surface before an adverse weather event has taken place. Not only does artificial turf alleviate you of any of those concerns in the first place, it also does away with the labor costs they often bring about. Because indoor batting cages allow players to train without any worry whatsoever of the weather intervening, no other outlay associated with putting on a session – for example, lighting costs – will ever be wasted.
Turnkey Baseball Facilities with Goat Turf
Not all artificial turf is the same. As an exclusive SYNLawn provider – the industry’s premier artificial turf – we’ll be bringing you the very best in class, while making sure we ask all the right questions to determine your unique needs. Contact us today to schedule a personal consultation – we can’t wait to work with you!