Cage investment was a home run for coach of top prep team
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/baseball/2006-04-1...tes_x.htm#dandydozen
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Good for him and his family.
It is refreshing when a parent is willing (and capable) of spending some money on his own children.
It is refreshing when a parent is willing (and capable) of spending some money on his own children.
I purchased my batting cage when my son was a 9 year old playing in LL Majors. His batting average exploded after we started spending more time in the cage. If you have the room and the bucks, it's a great "Toy". I can't say how many team practices have migrated to my house when you can't find a field 
I never looked at it as an investment in a financial future, but more of an investment in my son's growth and pleasure in the sport.
I never looked at it as an investment in a financial future, but more of an investment in my son's growth and pleasure in the sport.
My son wanted one 3 years ago, and we purchased cage, pitching machine and all. With the help of the other parents we put it up and got everything working. I get phone calls everyday from parents wanting to take their kids and hit. It is wonderful for their kids and mine. Only bad part was having to buy a softball pitching machine in fairness to my daughter. Wound up getting new netting this year for it, and donated the old netting to rec center and they put it up indoors. Works out well.
Only rule I have is my kids must ask me to go hit, I will never ask them to go hit. For repetition on your swing it is a great "toy"
Only rule I have is my kids must ask me to go hit, I will never ask them to go hit. For repetition on your swing it is a great "toy"
A few words to the wise:
1. Many neighborhoods have restrictive covenants that prohibit erecting a cage in your back yard, even if the local zoning laws permit it (and you might have problems there, too). Check on this BEFORE you spend the big bucks, not after!
2. Thanks to the active imaginations of Williamsport's fleet of lawyers and insurance naysayers, Little Leagues everywhere are prohibiting teams from holding any team events other than sanctioned events at sanctioned times and places. Sometimes it's just because the liability insurance policy won't cover off-premises events. But especially when you take kids to your home, you get all the talk about predators and all that stuff.
What we used to take for granted can now be a violation of rules even if you are as pure as the driven snow. I used to bring pitchers and catchers to my back yard bullpen for extra work, but now they won't let that go on. Some people even whined that, irrespective of insurance and other concerns, it was just an "unfair advantage" for our team! (Since when is it "unfair" for kids to get ahead by putting in extra time for extra practice?)
If you ask me, our generation has fouled everything up for everyone with all this stuff, but you'd best be careful not to get yourself into hot water.
Happily you can still practice extra with your own son! And there's always travel baseball, where Williamsport can't tell you what you can and can't do! Just you and your good judgment and conscience.
P.S. My neighborhood's restrictions won't permit a batting cage, but we do have a pop-up net that we use as a backstop for bullpens, and for batting tee work. When we're done it stores away out of sight. And it only cost $80, not $2,000.
1. Many neighborhoods have restrictive covenants that prohibit erecting a cage in your back yard, even if the local zoning laws permit it (and you might have problems there, too). Check on this BEFORE you spend the big bucks, not after!
2. Thanks to the active imaginations of Williamsport's fleet of lawyers and insurance naysayers, Little Leagues everywhere are prohibiting teams from holding any team events other than sanctioned events at sanctioned times and places. Sometimes it's just because the liability insurance policy won't cover off-premises events. But especially when you take kids to your home, you get all the talk about predators and all that stuff.
What we used to take for granted can now be a violation of rules even if you are as pure as the driven snow. I used to bring pitchers and catchers to my back yard bullpen for extra work, but now they won't let that go on. Some people even whined that, irrespective of insurance and other concerns, it was just an "unfair advantage" for our team! (Since when is it "unfair" for kids to get ahead by putting in extra time for extra practice?)
If you ask me, our generation has fouled everything up for everyone with all this stuff, but you'd best be careful not to get yourself into hot water.
Happily you can still practice extra with your own son! And there's always travel baseball, where Williamsport can't tell you what you can and can't do! Just you and your good judgment and conscience.
P.S. My neighborhood's restrictions won't permit a batting cage, but we do have a pop-up net that we use as a backstop for bullpens, and for batting tee work. When we're done it stores away out of sight. And it only cost $80, not $2,000.
MIDLO DAD
great points--in todays mentality the kids get punished no matter which way you turn to help them
great points--in todays mentality the kids get punished no matter which way you turn to help them
yikes, extra practice viewed as an unfair advantage 
they could have been parents from our town league
and - - yes, but another guy with (arguably) some potential, was surrounded by some real kooky adults
however - "In seven appearances this season, Almonte is 5-0 with a 0.29 ERA in 24 innings"
this is the kid whom most swore his "arm would fall off"
from high LL pitch counts & CBs
what's up with that
durable arm
.
they could have been parents from our town league
and - - yes, but another guy with (arguably) some potential, was surrounded by some real kooky adults
however - "In seven appearances this season, Almonte is 5-0 with a 0.29 ERA in 24 innings"
this is the kid whom most swore his "arm would fall off"
from high LL pitch counts & CBs
what's up with that
durable arm
.