I absolutely believe that the #1 backyard training aid that any young or experienced baseball player could ever hope to have is a batting cage and a pitching machine...even if the pitching machine needs to be budgeted at a later date.
The reason this is so important has to do with how ballplayers are built, how they improve fastest, and where their enjoyment of the game is derived.
If You Can Hit the Baseball They Will Find a Place to Play You!
Most players say that hitting a baseball well is the most fun part of the game.
As coaches, we know that hitting the baseball hard and consistent are the best we can hope for from our players.
Hitting the Baseball Well Happens When:
First - The player is taught proper hitting mechanics, which is always a work in progress.
Next - Players will repeat these good mechanical swings over and over and over until they become so natural…that success is merely a next step to the next level.
There is no better way for a ballplayer to achieve and repeat these good mechanics and hard swings than having the ability to walk out his own back door to take these swings.
The tremendous number of swings that it takes to commit these mechanics to good muscle memory takes days, weeks and months. Approaching perfection takes much longer. Without this effort, even natural athletes are not nearly as likely to succeed. Every year we see these natural athletes leave the game prematurely!
So why don't more players have this invaluable baseball hitting backyard tool?
Space and Money... Money and Space...
The reality is that many families find themselves short of one or both of those items.
Until only a few years ago, batting cages were only available as Pro-type cages; the ones you see at High Schools, and league fields. But as the game has grown in popularity and travel ball becomes bigger, some very creative inventors have filled in the gaps.
For those families with limited backyard space and budget please take a look at some of these creative and more inexpensive baseball batting cage options that are now available.
The Portable Batting Cage Kit with L Screen:
This baseball hitting cage allows for tremendous flexibility in that it can be purchased in 50, 60 or 70 foot lengths with three choices of net strength that will fit any budget or age player.
Even the shipping charge is reduced due to your needing to purchase the cage legs at a local Home Depot, Lowe's or similar. It is absolutely a simple project, with no cutting or special tools required. Total installation time is 1+ hour right out of the box!
Need a Pitching Machine?
The pricing combo baseball pitching machine and batting cage packages are readily available for under $700. This creative concept is delivered to you in one box containing a 24 foot baseball section fully complete and ready to go.
The cage sits above the ground, except for a kind of “foot” that is pounded into the ground… a few inches below the dirt level.
Installation is less than 45 minutes the first time you set it up and quicker after that!
The hitter stands inside one end of the cage while the pitching machine is set up outside of the cage at the other end. A small, pre-cut hole allows the pitch to enter the cage while protecting the pitching machine and the coach or practice partner.
Want a 48 or 72 Foot Cage Now or Later?
Two or three of these 24 foot cages can be installed end to end to make a 48 foot or even a 72 foot long cage.
Note:
There is some cutting and fastening together of each section, though the directions are quite clear and the project itself is really not complicated. I do recommend this project be tackled by two people, not one.
And yes, you can purchase additional sections at a later date or as your players grow.
