How to Maximize Baseball and Softball Training With L Screens

What is an L Screen and Where Does It Fit In Practice?

Every good batting practice (BP) session has two goals: get hitters locked in and keep the thrower in one piece. An L screen makes both happen.

With its offset cutout design, L screens give players just enough room to send pitches over the plate while putting a solid layer of protection between them and anything barreled back up the middle. You’ll find them in every serious baseball and softball setup, whether it’s a pitching L screen on the main field or a softball L screen tucked inside a hitting cage. They’re perfect for live BP, front toss, short-box pitching, and situational drills, making them one of the most versatile pieces you can pick up for training.

If you’re looking to upgrade or replace yours, check out our full Baseball L Screen lineup to find the right size, frame, and net for your team’s grind.

Choosing the Right Screen for Your Program

Finding the right L screen comes down to how hard you work it, how often you move it, and the kind of contact it’s going to take. Here’s a breakdown of our lineup, so you can pick the one that fits your training style.

Pro Series Protective Baseball Screens

For programs that never take a day off, Pro Series Protective Baseball Screens are as tough as they come. Heavy-gauge steel frames stand up to constant use, while thick, double-layer netting shrugs off line drives from your hardest hitters. Perfect for varsity-level and elite travel teams that want pro-grade durability capable of withstanding the harshest sessions.

Avoid overly stiff shafts or narrow heads made for advanced players. The best lacrosse sticks for beginners are forgiving and built to develop muscle memory, not complicate it.

Supreme Series Protective Screens

Supreme Series Protective Screens balance strength with maneuverability. You get a rugged, stable frame paired with a slightly lighter build, making it easier to move between fields or reposition during multi-station practices. Ideal for teams that need a screen tough enough for heavy BP but versatile enough to handle indoor and outdoor training.

Premium Series Protective Screens

When you want dependable performance but want to spend less, go with Premium Series Protective Screens. These are great for programs that run regular practices across multiple fields or share gear between squads. Strong steel frames and quality netting give you season-long protection, and their balanced weight makes them easy to roll in and out between drills.

Black Series Protective Screens

Lightweight, portable, and budget-friendly, Black Series Protective Screens are perfect for quick setup and takedown. While they’re not meant to take the same punishment as the higher-end lines, they offer solid safety for front toss, cage work, and lighter BP sessions. Great for youth programs, off-season work, or facilities that need easy-to-move protective screens for training.

Setting Up L Screens the Right Way

The benefits of L screens are clear, but good gear only works if it's set up right. Properly setting up L screens not only keeps your thrower safe but also helps your hitters get the most out of every rep. A few small adjustments can mean the difference between smooth practice flow and unnecessary stoppages.

Step-by-step best practices:

Taking the time to master setting up L screens pays off in safer, faster, and more effective reps. Get it right, and your hitters can focus on barrels instead of bailing out of the box.

Drills That Help Every L Screen Earn Its Keep

A good softball or baseball L screen setup is a core part of any efficient, high-rep training plan. These drills show how protective screens in training can boost performance while keeping everyone safe.

Live Batting Practice (BP)

Live BP is where the pitching L screen shines the most. Positioned at full distance, it gives hitters a true game-speed look while protecting the thrower from any rockets back up the middle. Keep your ball bucket within arm’s reach and rotate hitters quickly to maintain tempo.

This lets hitters work on timing, pitch selection, and approach without risking injury to the person feeding them strikes.

Front Toss

Front toss is a staple for hitters at every level. Standing 15-20 feet away behind the screen, you can deliver consistent underhand or overhand tosses that let batters groove their swing mechanics and focus on contact. An L screen softball setup works perfectly here, especially for opposite-field rounds or working specific pitch locations without full-speed pitching.

Short-Box Pitching

Short-box work is all about sharpening reaction time. By moving the screen in closer to home plate and throwing from a reduced stride, hitters learn to recognize pitches earlier and make quicker decisions. A baseball L screen in this drill gives throwers the confidence to mix speeds and locations without worrying about comebackers.

Bunt and Slap-Hitting Work (Softball)

For softball programs, the L screen softball position is critical for bunt and slap drills. The thrower stays close enough for underhand feeds, while hitters work on placement, footwork, and timing. This drill translates directly to in-game execution and benefits from having the screen protect both the thrower and the rhythm of the drill.

Situational Hitting Rounds

Sometimes, hitters need to practice for the exact scenario they’ll see in a game. Situational rounds keep the protective screen in its BP position, but the thrower calls out the count, base-runner setup, or target zone before each pitch. This adds mental pressure and forces hitters to adjust their approach, without changing the safety setup.

When used across these drills, an L screen becomes more than a shield; it’s a training partner that helps hitters chase barrels and coaches keep practice humming.

Gear Up for the Season

An L screen might be the anchor of your hitting stations, but it’s just one piece of a complete training setup. Pair it with quality balls, durable tees, portable mounds, and other essentials to keep your practice sessions sharp from the first rep to the last. The right mix of gear ensures you can run multiple drills at once, adapt to different skill levels, and keep your team game-ready no matter the conditions.

If you’re looking to round out your setup, Trigon Sports has everything you need in our lineup of baseball equipment and softball equipment, so you can build a practice plan that's as efficient as it is effective. Stock up before the season starts, and your players will feel the difference from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions: The Benefits of L Screens

Even the most seasoned programs can overlook just how much value an L screen brings to training. These quick answers break down how to get the most benefit from your practice setup.