If you need to define the boundaries of a baseball or softball field without a permanent installation, Grand Slam Fencing is one of the most trusted options available. It's built to hold up to regular use while still being soft enough to meet player safety standards, and it comes in multiple colors and configurations to suit everything from youth recreational fields to multi-field complexes, parks, school grounds, and even non-sports events like concerts or outdoor venues.
One of the biggest advantages of Grand Slam Fencing is how manageable the setup process is. With the right kit and a little preparation, a crew can have an outfield fence up and ready to play in a matter of hours. The steps below walk through the full installation process for both above ground and in-ground systems.
Choosing Your Installation Kit
Grand Slam Fencing is available in two kit types — above ground and in-ground — and both deliver the stability you'd expect from a permanent fence without requiring a permanent commitment. The right choice depends on how often the fence will be moved and what your field surface allows.
In-Ground Grand Slam Fence Kit
The in-ground system uses poles driven directly into the turf. It's the more stable of the two options and works well for fields where the fence stays in place for a full season. Before starting, confirm that your ground is already level and ready for installation. Any site prep — grading, leveling, or clearing — should be completed before the fencing goes in.
Above Ground Grand Slam Fence Kit
The above ground system relies on weighted base units to anchor the fence without breaking ground. It's the better fit for fields shared with other sports, facilities that host multiple event types, or any situation where the fence needs to come down and go back up frequently.
Installation Steps: Both Systems
The first three steps are the same regardless of which kit you're using.
Step 1. Lay the fencing out along the ground, following the line where you want it installed.
Step 2. Feed the support poles through the loops (also called pockets) that are built into the fence material. Start each pole at the slot nearest the yellow top and work down through the remaining three slots.
Note: The standard spacing is one pole every 10 feet, using every other slot. If you ordered additional poles, slots are also available every 5 feet. On 200' and 300' home run distance kits, the end poles are reinforced and identified with a white sticker.
Step 3. Clip the yellow fence slots into the latch on the endcap at the bottom of each support pole to lock the fence in place on the pole.
Above Ground Installation
Step 4. Build out the weighted base units before setting any poles. Connect the 29" pipe to the 4-way base using the hitch-pin, then drop the 29" pole into the center pocket of the weighted yellow pouch.
Note: At each end of the fence run, use two weighted yellow pouches. Position them outside the playing and walking area.
Step 5. Start at one end and insert the first pole into its base unit. Work down the fence line, dropping each pole into its base one at a time. As you go, keep pulling the fence taut — any slack left in early sections will compound as you move toward the other end.
Step 6. Once all poles are set, attach the C-clamps to the base pipe at the bottom of the fence to keep the fabric from lifting. Use two clamps per base pipe, positioning one near each end of the pipe.
Note: Wind and player contact will naturally shift the poles over time. Check the fence periodically during use and adjust any poles that have moved out of position.
In-Ground Installation
Step 4. Mark where the first pole will go, then drill a pilot hole at that location using the auger included in your kit.
Note: If you purchased the optional Socket Kit, refer to the Socket Kit section at the bottom of this guide before continuing.
Step 5. Drive the first pole into the ground to a depth of about 12 inches using a rubber mallet. Avoid using a metal hammer directly on the pole or any socket hardware. Set this first pole with a slight lean toward foul territory — angling it away from the field creates tension that helps keep the rest of the fence taut as you work down the line.
Step 6. Continue installing poles one at a time along the full run of the fence. The final pole should also lean slightly toward foul territory to maintain tension from both ends.
Note: Do not pre-drill all of your holes before installing the fence. Drilling ahead of installation tends to cause sagging between posts.
Step 7. If the fence extends past the edge of your field layout, the excess can be trimmed to length.
Safety Guidelines
Always break down pole assemblies for storage. Poles should be disassembled and stored flat. Storing them assembled or upright increases the risk of bending and breakage, which is not covered under warranty.
Never step over or duck under the fence. Always walk around the end. Bending poles backward — even occasionally — causes stress fractures at the fittings over time. That type of damage is also excluded from warranty coverage.
Additional Safety Notes for In-Ground Installation
Wear gloves and eye protection throughout the installation. The auger and mallet work creates debris and the potential for unexpected movement of tools or hardware.
Confirm measurements and check for underground utilities before digging. Drilling in the wrong location or hitting a utility line creates serious problems. Take a few extra minutes to verify your layout and clear it with your facility before breaking ground.
How to Take Down and Store Grand Slam Fencing
Breakdown is straightforward. Pull poles out of the ground or lift them from their base units, then roll the fence along the ground. The poles can stay threaded through the fence during storage — there's no need to remove them. If you're using the in-ground socket system, cap each socket after the poles are out to keep dirt and debris from getting inside.
Socket Kit Installation (In-Ground)
Note: Install sockets one at a time as you work down the fence line. Do not pre-install all sockets before starting — set each one immediately before inserting its pole.
- Mark the first pole location and drill a pilot hole there. Angle the hole slightly away from the field of play — this end-pole angle creates the initial tension for the whole run.
- Set the socket into the pilot hole. Insert the socket driving tool and drive it into the turf with a rubber mallet (not included in kit). Remove the driving tool when the socket is seated.
- Insert the first pole into the socket.
- Move to the next pole location and repeat the process — drill, set socket, insert pole — working down the line one at a time.
Note: Keep socket caps on any sockets not currently in use to prevent clogging and extend the life of the hardware