Extremely simple in design, batting cages provide protection from flying balls and let you set up several practice spots in tight areas. Batting cages also eliminate the need for employing staff to pick up balls and are often paired with pitching machines -- hand-fed or automatic -- that pitch baseballs at speeds anywhere from 30 to 90 miles per hour. The ground of many batting cages is sloped to make ball collection easy. Batting cages are also used in soccer practice. Depending on the number of cages, setting up a batting range can cost anywhere from tens of thousands of dollars to well into the hundreds of thousands, but you can cut your costs drastically by carefully comparing batting cages information or considering refurbished batting cages.

Consider the following batting cages information before committing to such a large purchase:

1. Refurbished or discount batting cages provider

2. Industry statistics

3. A custom batting cages provider

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out all of your options for batting cages providers with refurbished or discount options

Find standard, custom and even refurbished options with a batting cages company that sells or auctions previously owned models. You can also find discount cages and accessories like pitching machines, safety gear and ball baskets. Whether you're looking for cages constructed of aluminum, steel or vinyl, buying refurbished can get you what you need at a fraction of the cost.

I recommend: Cages Plus offers quality economy package deals. Family Sports offers an online auction of refurbished batting cages and other netting options.

Combine a batting cages list and demographic information for the best fit

Want an idea of how many units you might need? Many professional cage companies offer both a batting cages list as well as how much space you might need for your system. Many also offer statistics for how many cages you'll need based on the population in your community or other demographic information.

I recommend: Automated Batting Cages Corporation is a great resource for getting ideas about what kind of facility you'll need to keep up with the competition. MapMuse will let you know exactly who your competitors are.

Make the most of your dimensions with custom batting cages

Batting Cages usually range anywhere from 70 to 150 feet in depth, depending on the needs of those practicing. And though it would be smart to offer a choice, it is often a matter of how much space your facility has to start out with. If you're working with an oddly-shaped space or you just aren't finding pre-made units to fit your space, a custom option may be just what you need.

I recommend: Find Batting Cages custom-made through BattingNets.com or Batting Cages, Inc.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  There are more than 1,500 batting cage facilities in the U.S. Visit one in your area and use your experience to list what you'd like done differently in your facility.
• •  Use a batting cages directory to find batting cage manufacturers and compare products online.