JUGS Protector Blue Series C-Shaped Softball Screen
The JUGS Protector Blue Series C-Shaped Softball Screen is a padded protective screen for fastpitch softball practice, built for the person throwing to the hitter. It stands 7 feet high and 5 feet wide with a 33 inch by 18 inch cutout, a size and shape set up around the softball pitching motion and around softball pitching machines. Double-thick 60-ply Dacron polyester netting and a padded steel frame stand up to the line drives that come back at a short-distance softball pitcher, while bolted joints keep assembly simple.
Why Softball Uses a C-Shaped Screen
A fastpitch delivery releases the ball low, near the hip, instead of over the top. An L-screen with a high corner cutout is built for overhand baseball throwing and leaves the wrong area open for an underhand pitcher. The C-shaped screen places its 33 by 18 inch opening where a windmill or underhand release happens, with netting above and below it. The pitcher releases through the opening and is covered by full netting from head to knee on the follow-through.
At 5 feet wide the screen is large enough to protect a pitcher standing behind it but still light and narrow enough for a coach to carry into position between rounds.
Live Arm Practice and Softball Pitching Machines
The screen works for both kinds of softball batting practice. For live arm work, a coach or teammate throws from behind the screen at a shortened distance, which lets hitters see a lot of pitches in a short time without putting the thrower at risk. For machine work, a softball pitching machine sits behind the screen and the ball exits through the cutout, so the machine and the operator feeding it are both out of the line of fire. It pairs naturally with the JUGS mini3 Fastpitch Softball Pitching Machine or the JUGS BP1 Softball.
Whether practice happens indoors in a cage or outdoors on the field, the same setup applies.
Padding, Netting and Frame
- Black, double-thick 60-ply Dacron polyester netting designed to absorb impact from returned softballs.
- Blue vinyl-covered pearl-foam padding on the frame, which protects players and extends the life of the screen and your softballs.
- 1.5 inch diameter, 1.2 mm thick, 1020 cold-rolled steel frame tubing.
- Bolted joints with no welding or lacing, so the frame goes together quickly and the net can be replaced later with Protector Blue Series replacement netting.
Picking the Right JUGS Softball Screen
JUGS makes its C-shaped softball screen in three builds:
- JUGS Standard C-Shaped Softball Screen: 45-ply netting without padding, designed for youth leagues and backyards with lighter use. 1-year warranty on frame and netting.
- JUGS Protector Blue Series C-Shaped Softball Screen (this screen): padded frame and 60-ply netting for travel teams, high schools and colleges.
- JUGS Protector Series C-Shaped Softball Screen: the black Protector Series build with heavier netting, a wheel kit included and a 5-year frame and 2-year netting warranty, aimed at hitting facilities.
For softball tee and toss stations, the Protector Blue Series Square Screen with Sock-Net adds a ball-catching sock to a square screen, and the Protector Blue Series Short-Toss Screen is sized for close front toss.
Setting Up the C-Screen for Fastpitch Batting Practice
- Bolt the frame together and fit the netting over it.
- Center the screen on the line between the pitching spot and home plate, with the cutout at the release height of the thrower or the exit chute of the machine.
- For live arm work, the pitcher stands close behind the screen so the release happens inside the opening and the follow-through ends behind netting.
- For machine work, set the machine far enough behind the screen that the ball clears the cutout cleanly, and keep the operator behind the netting while feeding.
- Look over the net and padding before each session and replace the net once holes start to open in the hitting area.
Because the opening is centered, the C-screen works the same way for a right-handed or left-handed thrower, so there is nothing to flip when pitchers change.
Who This Softball Screen Is For
- Fastpitch softball coaches throwing live batting practice from a short distance.
- Teams and families using a softball pitching machine who want the operator protected.
- Youth leagues, high schools and colleges that want padding and heavier netting than a basic screen.
- Backyard players with a cage who throw softball batting practice at home.
JUGS Protector Blue Series C-Shaped Softball Screen Specifications
- Sport: fastpitch softball
- Style: C-shaped softball pitching screen
- Size: 7 feet high by 5 feet wide
- Cutout: 33 inches by 18 inches
- Netting: black, double-thick 60-ply Dacron polyester
- Frame: 1.5 inch diameter, 1.2 mm thick, 1020 cold-rolled steel tubing
- Padding: blue vinyl-covered pearl foam
- Joints: bolted, no welding or lacing
- Use: live arm and pitching machine practice, indoors or outdoors
- Skill level: backyard players, youth leagues, high schools, colleges
- Replacement net: available separately (C-Shaped option)
- Warranty: 1-year on netting, 2-year on frame
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this screen in front of a softball pitching machine?
Yes. Set the machine behind the screen so the ball exits through the 33 by 18 inch cutout. The machine and the person feeding it are protected by the netting around the opening.
Why not just use an L-screen for softball?
An L-screen opens the upper corner for an overhand release. The C-shaped screen places the opening lower and in the middle, where an underhand fastpitch release happens, and keeps netting above it.
Does it come with wheels?
No. The Protector Series Wheel Kit fits only the black Protector Series screens and will not work with the Blue Series. The JUGS Protector Series C-Shaped Softball Screen includes a wheel kit.
Does it work for both right-handed and left-handed pitchers?
Yes. The cutout is centered on the screen, so it suits either throwing hand without repositioning.
Is assembly complicated?
No. All joints bolt together, and there is no welding or lacing.
Can the netting be replaced?
Yes. Choose the C-Shaped option of the Protector Blue Series replacement netting.
What warranty comes with the screen?
The JUGS Protector Blue Series C-Shaped Softball Screen carries a 1-year warranty on the netting and a 2-year warranty on the frame.
