The Complete Guide to Baseball & Softball Protective Screens
An L-screen protects a pitcher or BP coach who is standing on the mound. A pitching screen does the same job from behind a portable frame. A sock net gives infield or flat-ground work a lightweight, quick-set barrier, and a fungo screen shields a coach hitting fungoes from the infield or foul line. Picking the right one comes down to who is standing behind it and what drill they're running.
Why does a coach need a protective screen at all?
Batting practice puts a coach or a player closer to a hitter than a game ever would. Front toss, soft toss, and BP from the mound all put the thrower's body in the direct line of a comebacker, and a mis-hit ball off an aluminum bat can travel back faster than a person can react. A screen gives the thrower a solid barrier to stand behind while still being able to see the plate and deliver the ball.
Screens aren't one-size-fits-all. A screen built for a pitcher throwing from 60 feet is a different shape and weight than one built for a coach flipping soft toss from 15 feet, or one meant to protect a fungo hitter working the outfield. Matching the screen to the drill keeps the barrier where it needs to be without getting in the way.
What is an L-screen and who is it for?
An L-screen is named for its shape: a tall front panel with an L-shaped cutout that lets a pitcher or BP coach step in behind the netting, throw, and still track the ball off the bat through the opening. It's the standard choice for coaches or pitchers throwing live or front-toss BP from the mound distance, since it covers the body from roughly shoulder to shin while leaving a clear throwing lane.
What is a pitching or BP screen and who is it for?
A pitching screen (sometimes just called a "protective screen") is a full rectangular frame with netting on all sides rather than an L-shaped opening. Some models add wheels or a folding frame for easy transport between the field and the cage. They're built to protect a coach or player who needs full-body coverage while feeding pitches, tossing BP, or running a drill where the thrower isn't necessarily in a fixed throwing motion.
What is a sock net and who is it for?
A sock net is a lightweight, low-profile net, often mounted on a compact frame, designed to catch or deflect balls during flat-ground throwing, infield work, or quick tee stations. Because it's lighter and easier to move than a full pitching screen, coaches like it for stations that need to be set up and broken down fast, or for tight indoor spaces where a bulkier screen won't fit.
What is a fungo or field screen and who is it for?
A fungo screen protects a coach who's hitting ground balls or fly balls to fielders from a fixed spot on the infield, along the foul line, or near home plate. Because a fungo hitter is working from a stationary position and often facing multiple throws back in quick succession, these screens tend to be wider and some include side "wings" for extra coverage against balls hit at an angle.
How do you choose the right screen size and type?
Once you know which category fits your drill, narrow it down with these four checks.
Screen types at a glance
Here's a quick side-by-side of where each type of screen tends to fit into a program.
Full-body coverage with a throwing cutout — the standard for live or front-toss BP from the mound.
Full rectangular netting, sometimes on wheels — suited to feeding pitches or general BP protection.
Lightweight and compact — built for flat-ground, infield, or quick tee stations rather than full-speed BP.
Wider coverage for a coach hitting ground balls or flies from a fixed infield or foul-line spot.
Built around a net pocket for close-range soft toss rather than full-speed pitching.
Worth checking separately — a worn net or torn pad can often be replaced without buying a whole new frame.
A solid starting point for most programs
If you're outfitting a program that runs mound BP regularly, a mid-size L-screen is a common starting point before adding a fungo screen or sock net for other stations.
Pro 7.5 x 7.5 L-Screen
A mid-size L-screen frame that fits a mound BP setup for a range of ages and levels.
Protective Screens FAQ
An L-screen has an L-shaped cutout for a thrower to step into; a pitching screen is typically a full rectangular frame with netting on all sides.
Placement depends on the drill and the thrower's release point — check your league's or facility's guidance rather than a fixed number.
Flat-ground throwing, infield work, and quick tee or drill stations where a lightweight, easy-to-move barrier is enough.
Heavier gauges generally hold up better against higher-velocity throwers, while lighter gauges suit younger or lower-velocity groups.
A combo-style screen can cover more than one use case, but a dedicated fungo or sock net still performs better for its specific drill.
A heavier frame, added weights, or staking (where allowed) helps stability in wind — check the manufacturer's setup instructions for your model.
Find the right screen for your program
From mound BP to fungo work, matching the screen to the drill keeps practice moving and keeps your coaches and players protected. Browse L-screens and pitching screens to find the fit for your program.
