Cimarron 7x7 #42 Fielder Screen

The Cimarron 7x7 #42 Fielder Screen is a portable baseball safety net designed to protect players during batting practice. At 7 feet tall by 7 feet wide, it gives fielders, coaches, and basemen a reliable barrier against line drives, ground balls, and pop flies. The residential-grade steel frame and upgraded #42 netting make this screen a practical choice for travel ball teams, youth programs, and backyard baseball training setups that need solid protection without a commercial price tag.

Upgraded #42 Knotted Netting

Cimarron upgraded this screen from the original #36 netting to heavier #42 twisted, knotted twine. The #42 designation refers to the weight and thickness of the netting material, and it represents a meaningful step up in durability for baseball training use. Thicker twine handles repeated impact from baseballs more effectively and holds its shape longer over multiple seasons of practice. The knotted construction adds strength at every intersection point, which matters when baseballs are hitting the net at game speeds during live batting practice.

The net attaches to the frame in a pillowcase style, meaning it slips over the entire frame rather than tying to individual connection points. This design creates a double layer of netting across the face of the screen and eliminates gaps where baseballs could sneak through at the edges. It also simplifies setup and replacement if the net ever needs to be swapped out after extended use.

Strong 7x7 Residential Steel Frame

The frame is built from 1-1/2 inch diameter, 16-gauge powder coated steel tubing. The 16-gauge wall thickness provides a good balance of strength and portability for a residential-class baseball screen. Powder coating protects the steel from rust and weather exposure, so the frame holds up whether it stays outside between practices or gets stored in a garage.

Assembly uses a straightforward bolt-together design that does not require special tools. One or two people can set the screen up in a few minutes, and it breaks down just as easily for transport. The 7x7 footprint is large enough to give meaningful protection to a player standing behind it while remaining compact enough to fit in a truck bed or SUV for travel to practices and games.

How Baseball Teams Use the Cimarron 7x7 Fielder Screen

Fielder screens serve two main purposes during baseball practice. The first is protecting fielders who are working on tracking fly balls and fielding ground balls during live batting practice. Standing behind the screen lets players focus on reading the ball off the bat without worrying about getting hit by a hard line drive they were not expecting. As the player builds confidence tracking baseballs, they can move out from behind the screen and field in the open.

The second common use is backing up a baseman during infield drills. Placing a screen behind first base or another position keeps missed throws and wild balls from rolling into the outfield, which saves time during practice. Instead of chasing down every overthrow, the ball hits the screen and stays nearby.

Coaches throwing front toss or soft toss during batting practice also use 7x7 screens as a protective barrier. While this screen does not have an L-screen cutout for the pitcher to throw through, it works well as a backup screen positioned behind the toss area to catch baseballs that get fouled back.

Who This Baseball Screen Is For

The 7x7 #42 Fielder Screen fits recreational and travel ball programs, youth baseball leagues, backyard practice setups, and small training facilities with moderate daily use. The residential frame handles the volume most non-commercial baseball programs generate without issues.

For baseball programs running high-volume daily batting practice in a training facility or college setting, we offer a commercial frame version of this same screen with a heavier 2-inch powder coated steel frame. The residential version reviewed here is the right choice for baseball families, youth coaches, and travel ball organizations that need a reliable screen they can set up and move easily.

This screen also works for softball applications. The 7x7 size and #42 netting handle softballs just as effectively as baseballs, making it a practical option for multi-sport families and organizations that run both baseball and softball programs.

Optional Accessories

• Frame Wheel Kit: A set of wheels that attach to the frame legs, making the screen easy to roll around a baseball field or training facility without lifting. Particularly useful for coaches who reposition screens multiple times during practice.
• Frame Padding: Protective padding that wraps around exposed frame sections to reduce the chance of baseballs ricocheting off the steel tubing. Padding also protects the frame itself from denting under repeated impact.

Accessories are sold separately and can be added at the time of purchase.

Setting Up the 7x7 Fielder Screen

The screen assembles with basic bolt connections and does not require welding, drilling, or permanent installation. Lay out the frame pieces, connect them using the included hardware, and slide the pillowcase-style net over the assembled frame. The entire setup takes just a few minutes with two people, and the screen is ready for baseball practice immediately.

For outdoor use, position the screen on level ground. The 7x7 footprint is stable enough for normal baseball practice conditions, though strong winds can affect any freestanding screen this size. Adding the optional wheel kit does not compromise stability during use and makes repositioning between drills significantly easier.

The screen breaks down for transport and storage by reversing the assembly process. The frame pieces and net fit in most vehicle cargo areas, making this a practical option for travel ball teams that practice at different baseball fields throughout the season.

Residential vs. Commercial Frame Options

The 7x7 fielder screen comes with two different frame options to match different levels of baseball use:

• Residential Frame (this product): 1-1/2 inch, 16-gauge powder coated steel. Built for youth programs, travel ball, backyard practice, and moderate training use.
• Commercial Frame (sold separately): 2-inch, black powder coated steel. Designed for training facilities, high school and college baseball programs, and daily high-volume batting practice environments.

Both frame options use the same #42 knotted netting in the same pillowcase configuration. The difference is entirely in frame thickness and weight capacity. Choose the residential frame if portability and affordability are priorities. Choose the commercial frame if the screen will take daily abuse in a baseball facility setting.

Cimarron 7x7 #42 Fielder Screen Specifications

• Dimensions: 7 feet high x 7 feet wide
• Frame: 1-1/2 inch diameter, 16-gauge powder coated steel
• Frame Type: Residential
• Netting: #42 twisted, knotted twine
• Net Style: Pillowcase (slips over frame for double-layer coverage)
• Sport Use: Baseball and softball
• Assembly: Bolt-together, no special tools required
• Optional Accessories: Frame wheel kit, frame padding (sold separately)
• Warranty: 1-year limited manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship

What's Included

The Fielder Screen includes the residential steel frame components, assembly hardware, and the #42 pillowcase-style fielder net. Frame wheels are not included but are available as add-on options at the time of purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between #36 and #42 netting?

The number refers to the weight and thickness of the netting twine. #42 netting uses thicker, heavier twine than #36, which translates to better durability and a longer lifespan under repeated impact from baseballs. Cimarron upgraded this screen from #36 to #42 netting to improve performance for baseball training use.

Can this screen handle baseballs from a pitching machine?

The #42 netting and residential frame can handle baseballs from most standard pitching machines used in youth and recreational baseball settings. For high-speed commercial machines or daily machine use in a training facility, the commercial frame version is a better match for the workload.

Is this screen good for softball too?

Yes. The 7x7 size and #42 netting work well for both baseball and softball. The pillowcase net design handles softballs without any modifications or additional accessories.

How heavy is this screen? Can one person move it?

The residential frame keeps the overall weight manageable for one or two people to carry and reposition at 40 lbs. Adding the optional wheel kit makes it easy for a single person to roll the screen around a baseball field without lifting it.

What is the difference between the residential and commercial frame?

The residential frame uses 1-1/2 inch, 16-gauge powder coated steel and is designed for moderate use by youth baseball teams, travel ball programs, and backyard practice. The commercial frame uses 2-inch powder coated steel and is built for daily, high-volume use in baseball training facilities and school programs. Both use the same #42 netting.

Do I need the padding option?

Padding is not required for the screen to function, but it does help protect the frame from denting when baseballs hit exposed steel tubing. It also reduces the chance of baseballs ricocheting sharply off the frame during practice. Programs with younger baseball players may find the padding adds an extra margin of safety.