I drafted, created, and installed the soft goods components of this high-tech batting cage. I was contracted by Volvox Labs, an experiential design/fabrication studio based in Brooklyn. They had been hired by the SAS analytics firm. I was the only soft goods specialist, and was completely in charge of that aspect of the project from technical design through final installation.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/09b5b8fd-5da3-486d-98cb-2f445dfccd40/d47f004a-2d40-4424-950a-9b053df70207_rw_1200.jpg?h=ebc28ba0baa7a4ec0c5bfee8855bfe9b)
My predominant concern was safety. As there was no existing structure which resembled our project, I did not have a comprehensive set of regulations with which to guide my process. Therefore, I conducted research on sport equipment safety standards and sourced stress-tested and certified materials. Finding material which could act as both a projection screen and adequate shock absorption was difficult. Ultimately, I went with material intended for use as boat sails, and constructed it using marine rigging techniques.
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Prior to its final installation in North Carolina, we fully assembled the structure in Volvox Labs' Brooklyn studio. There, we completed our own stress test, calling in several minor-league professional baseball players to use the cage. It successfully withstood repeated impacts at over 100 mph.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/09b5b8fd-5da3-486d-98cb-2f445dfccd40/cfd924ae-9c07-4fdc-9358-d8d945c76149_rw_3840.jpg?h=8251bcfcc00ce9e0192fcefa5d6b6229)
There were three projection screens: the two side pieces, which were over 40 feet long, and a 10'x10' panel at the front. these were attached first. Afterward, I attached the netting panels, which served not only as safety components, but a source of tension which countered gravity's effects on the heavy projection panels.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/09b5b8fd-5da3-486d-98cb-2f445dfccd40/4e9478da-9165-4256-9f75-0b98bca0f76f_rw_3840.jpg?h=45ba976dd232f119d6c011916eca4e70)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/09b5b8fd-5da3-486d-98cb-2f445dfccd40/2372d4cf-3df3-446f-ac2c-3e251a2e2762_rw_3840.jpg?h=f13c62f305c6a8c332da6997454dc62f)
The edges of the netting were not strong enough on their own to hold the entire weight of the stretched net. To prevent the strings along the edges form snapping, I hand-wove a length of tie-line, which functions as a thin rope that can bear heavy loads, through all of the netting connection points.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/09b5b8fd-5da3-486d-98cb-2f445dfccd40/e606bfa0-7ad7-42af-96e9-790f987ab8ed_rw_3840.jpg?h=64112a68e2ac731193180a619d4c5ab2)
It was necessary to plan for the structure to be dis-and re-assembled several times after Volvox Labs' work was done. Therefore, I created a detailed manual explaining how to safely take down and reinstall the soft good components of the structure, including diagrams and step-by-step instructions.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/09b5b8fd-5da3-486d-98cb-2f445dfccd40/20529309-ccc9-4287-ad45-4f99c4c5cacd_rw_3840.png?h=92b497d0005f5f432ed732fd98e0dc25)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/09b5b8fd-5da3-486d-98cb-2f445dfccd40/a72dd2c9-2737-461c-b933-96e6e1b9a204_rw_3840.png?h=45650c5b274324d7cd0a768623f06604)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/09b5b8fd-5da3-486d-98cb-2f445dfccd40/c462e253-59b7-4dbd-9ad9-0235e58e82d7_rw_3840.png?h=1936cf3b3d0461279c07428f894b6418)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/09b5b8fd-5da3-486d-98cb-2f445dfccd40/2c5d10b2-7340-4cdd-8504-5bf543c59c64_rw_3840.png?h=5a3f07218b9a61a39f2da1f4cb86b0fc)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/09b5b8fd-5da3-486d-98cb-2f445dfccd40/c25ca87a-1485-4899-86ee-217a937dab91_rw_3840.png?h=ac3124d57ba3f821b9bc7f76c138c184)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/09b5b8fd-5da3-486d-98cb-2f445dfccd40/f0dab8ff-3c66-4c3a-b59c-67c379a579a4_rw_3840.png?h=ff553c7829e54fdf5e952ef15e35d71d)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/09b5b8fd-5da3-486d-98cb-2f445dfccd40/34362d28-5c09-494a-933e-be1e9e4a748f_rw_3840.png?h=97e36f3a3eb3d7e7ab98855822dede9b)
Below is a link to a Today.com video segment showing the batting cage in use.