Types of Backstop Pads and Their Advantages in Baseball

Investing in backstop padding is a smart move for baseball programs at every level. Backstop pads provide safety for players and also protect the walls and fences of the ballpark. They look great and are a nice touch for programs that would like to make their ballpark look more professional.

• Standard – An economical solution is with standard pads.  Generally constructed with thinner poly foam than professional backstop pads, standard backing is still a great option for most ballparks. Standard padding offers an immediate line of protection to players from fencing, brick or concrete walls. Players of all ages play hard and may chase foul balls into a hard sidewall, or run into a fence tracking a pop up or fly ball. Youth fields, high schools and colleges will benefit from adding standard backstop pads to their facilities.

•  Pro-Style – A top quality style of backstop pads are pro-style pads. They include a poly foam core with a thick vinyl cover to stand up to the wear and tear associated with long stretches of time in the sun as well as other elements of weather. Pro-style backstop pads can be affixed to many types of walls and fences by their attached flaps and grommets, including brick, concrete, wood, and chain link. Pro-style pads are the top of the line option and are what you see in many high school and collegiate stadiums.

• Stadium Wood-Backed–Some backstop pads come with plywood sheets installed on the back. This provides additional structure and reinforcement to the pads. In windy conditions, standard backstop pads can be damaged and even pulled from their fastenings if the force is great enough. With a stadium wood-backed backstop pad, this is not a concern. This style will also be covered in a durable vinyl with a high quality foam core like pro-style backstop pads.  These pads are the top of the line option and generally are what you see in many professional stadiums.

• Graphics – Additionally, you can add graphics to your backstop pads. Professional and collegiate programs have long used this feature to enhance the look of their ballparks, but now even high schools and youth programs can implement vibrant quality graphics to their backstop pads. Graphics can be added to just about all types of backstop pads and even windscreens can have graphics added to give a nice aesthetic look to backstops, side fences and outfield walls.

The safety of players is a top priority of coaches, parents and administrators. Fields with quality backstop padding not only look great, but they are safer as well.