The JUGS Portable Free-Standing Sports Cage is a portable enclosure designed for sports practice. Assembly involves connecting frame sections with various fittings and securing the netting. Proper setup and adherence to safety guidelines are crucial for safe operation, particularly when used outdoors or in potentially windy conditions. The cage requires adult supervision during setup and use, and regular inspection of the netting is recommended.
Parts Inventory
The JUGS Portable Free-Standing Sports Cage includes the following components, as detailed in the provided documentation:
- 1 Batting cage net
- 4 Carrying bags
- 4 Long-cable assemblies with hooks
- 2 Short-cable assemblies
- 12 3-way fittings
- 4 4-way fittings
- 44 3-ft. tubes
- 22 6-ft. bungied tubes
- 8 foot tubes
- 8 Ground-anchor loops
Assembly Procedure
The assembly process is described as a series of steps, beginning with the separation of frame sections and netting from the carrying bag.
Step 1 involves laying out the base frame using the provided tubes and fittings. It is recommended to have one person at each corner of the base frame during this stage to facilitate connection of the corner post tubes to the fittings.
Step 2 consists of attaching a foot tube to each outside fitting in the base frame.
Step 3 details erecting the corner posts to twelve feet high. This is achieved by connecting four 3-foot tubes to each 9-foot corner post tube.
Step 4 focuses on hanging the net at the ends of the cage. Prior to hanging the net, it is important to ensure the inside front-corner posts are 31 feet apart. The golf-netting side of the net must be hung first, beginning with tying the rope to the middle of the back crossbar and then securing the corners of the net to the back corners of the frame. The process is then repeated on the opposite end of the cage.
Step 5 involves attaching the net to the cage using the long-cable assemblies with hooks, securing the top sides of the net to both frames. The netting is also attached to the center of the crossbar using the short-cable assembly.
Outdoor Use and Anchoring
When using the JUGS Portable Free-Standing Sports Cage outdoors, it is imperative to stake it down using the provided ground-anchor loops. The documentation explicitly states that the cage must be staked down when used outdoors to ensure stability. The ground-anchor loops should be fully engaged with the foot tubes.
Safety Precautions
Several safety precautions are outlined in the documentation. These include:
- Thoroughly inspecting the cage netting for holes or signs of wear before each use.
- Ensuring all frame tubing is undamaged and properly assembled on a level surface.
- Maintaining a minimum distance of 8 feet between the outer sides of the cage and bystanders, other participants, and any structures or vehicles during use.
- Limiting use to one participant at a time.
- Positioning the player in line with, and in the center of, the cage opening.
- Dismantling and storing the cage when wind velocities are anticipated to exceed 15 mph.
- Adult supervision is required for both setup and use of the cage.
- The netting is designed to deflect impacts, but nylon netting is susceptible to fraying, tearing, or breaking from normal use or abuse.
- For golf use, balls should only be hit into the golf mesh end of the net.
Component Details
The documentation provides specific details regarding certain components. The 3-way and 4-way fittings are visually depicted, along with a warning label associated with the 3-way fitting. The documentation also includes close-up views of the JUGS 44 3-ft. tubes.
Contact Information
For additional information about the product or other JUGS products and services, the manufacturer can be contacted as follows:
- USA and Canada: 1-800-547-6843 (toll-free)
- International: 0-503-692-1635 (collect call)
- Fax: 1-503-691-1100
- Website: www.jugssports.com
- Spanish speakers are accommodated.
Conclusion
The JUGS Portable Free-Standing Sports Cage offers a portable solution for sports practice. Successful and safe operation relies on careful assembly following the provided instructions, diligent adherence to safety guidelines, and proper anchoring when used outdoors. Regular inspection of the netting is essential to identify and address any potential damage. Users should consult the manufacturer’s contact information for further assistance or inquiries.