L-Screens and Protective Screens: The Complete Guide

Nothing ends a practice — or a season — faster than a line drive finding the person throwing it. Protective screens are the cheapest insurance in baseball, and choosing the right ones makes a cage safer and more productive. Here is what every hitter, parent, and cage owner should know.

The L-Screen: Your First Line of Defense

An L-screen protects a live pitcher or coach throwing batting practice. The "L" cutout lets the arm come through to throw while the net shields the body. For a cage, a sturdy L-screen is non-negotiable any time someone is throwing to a hitter.

What to Look For

• Frame gauge: heavier steel tubing resists bending from repeated hits.
• Net quality: a thick, knotted net (think #42 or heavier) lasts far longer against hard contact.
• Padding and stability: padded frames and a wide base keep the screen safe and planted.

Other Screens That Earn Their Keep

Pitching Machine Screens

A screen that sits in front of a pitching machine protects the machine and gives the feeder a place to hide while loading. Essential for any cage running a machine.

Sock Net / Caddy Screens

Compact screens with a "sock" that catches the ball are great for soft toss and short-distance front toss, keeping balls contained in tight spaces.

Protective Screens for Fielding

Square and half-cage screens shield players during infield and soft-toss drills — useful for teams running multiple stations in one cage.

Sizing and Placement

Match screen height to your hitters; taller hitters and harder throwers need taller screens. In the cage, position the L-screen close enough to simulate game distance while keeping the thrower fully behind the net at release.

The Bottom Line

Buy a heavy-duty L-screen with a thick knotted net, add a machine screen if you run a machine, and inspect every net before each session. It is the lowest-cost, highest-return safety gear in the building. Browse screens and cage gear in the CageList gear directory →