A backstop is the tall section of chain link behind home plate, often with angled wings and an overhang to hold foul balls. We build them for schools, parks, churches and youth leagues in Fresno and the towns around it. Each one is sized to the field: the age of the players, the distance from the plate, and what sits behind it, whether that is bleachers, a parking lot or a road.
The posts do the work. A backstop is tall, it is often hung with a windscreen or padding, and it takes years of balls and of players leaning and climbing on it. Posts are heavy-wall pipe set deep in concrete. On valley ground the footing has to go through any hardpan layer and not just rest on it, because infields are watered daily and that water collects on top of hardpan and softens the soil holding the post.
Fabric and fittings wear out before the frame. The area right behind the plate takes the hardest hits, so a heavier gauge of chain link goes there, with rails spaced closer together. Ties are checked and replaced as part of normal upkeep. We can also add dugout fencing, baseline fence, gates for mowers and field equipment, and foul poles. Because many of these jobs are for public agencies, tell us early what paperwork your district or league requires.
Backstops in Fresno: common questions
How tall should a backstop be?
It depends on the level of play and what is behind the field. Youth fields use shorter backstops than high school and adult fields, and a field with a street or parked cars close behind it needs more height or an overhang. We size it after seeing the field.
Can you repair an old backstop instead of replacing it?
Often. If the posts are straight and solid, new fabric, rails and ties can make an old backstop safe again. If the posts are rusted through at the ground or leaning, the frame has to be replaced.
Does a backstop need a permit?
A structure this tall usually does, and a school or park site has its own approval process on top of the city's or county's. The owner of the field normally leads that. We supply the drawings and details they ask for.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We visit, measure and talk through options.
- Written quote: Clear pricing with material choices side by side.
- Permits & planning: We check local rules and help with permits before we dig.
- Install & clean-up: Our crew installs, cleans up and walks the finished fence with you.