Kind of an interesting article from our local newspaper.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/7798150.htm
No, we don't have one in our backyard. I know some of the folks mentioned in this article.
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Justbaseball, That was a good article. It shows how much the parents want the youngsters to be good hitters. We have had a cage in our yard for 14 years. We are fortunate in that we have 5 1/2 acres, and the only rule my wife has is to keep it out of her sight. 
We have it about 75 yds from the house in the middle of the trees, along with the pitchers mound where it is hidden away.
We have it about 75 yds from the house in the middle of the trees, along with the pitchers mound where it is hidden away.
I truly wish we had a cage in the yard when my guys went thru youth ball and HS.
Probably would have had every kid in the neighborhood over every day which is no problem either
TRhit
Probably would have had every kid in the neighborhood over every day which is no problem either
TRhit
Wish I had a batting cage. Probably would have saved more money than it cost. And it definitely would have saved alot of traveling time too.
Our cage cost about $2800, the Master pitching machine at that time only cost me $900 and then an Atec soft toss was $250 and a tee was whatever. The net was replaced about 5 years ago, but the pitching machine and soft toss still work real well. Two sons, 7 years apart in age and many of their friends got to take a lot of rips in the past 14 years.
PS. A friend used his bulldozer to level the ground for free.
PS. A friend used his bulldozer to level the ground for free.
bbscout,
When we're in the neighborhood can we stop by for a round in the cage and a little more fun on the mound?
Jason
When we're in the neighborhood can we stop by for a round in the cage and a little more fun on the mound?
Jason
bbscout - I think I want to move out by you - 5.5 acres! Not here in MV! 
We've had a cage for 6 years and I wish I'd bought it earlier-a great investment, but forget the pitching machine and buy God's gift to Old men like me-an "L" screen. Lots of time spent in there with my sons. It's next to the mound (dirt) and the soft toss machine. I couldn't build the "Field of Dreams" and bring back the old timers, but a lot of Little Leaguers have been through our cage. (only 3.7 acres here, but the pool is 30 feet away when they finish hitting-yea, I know, very spoiled, but awfully nice and we're way overly blessed...)
I thought about building a mound until I realized who would be catching. 
My husband and a couple of other Little League dads built our cage when my son was 9. In western Washington, you need a roof to make it worthwhile, so they built a covered structure, complete with asphalt roofing. During my son's Little League years his coach ran team practices out back, with five or six stations including the cage. It's been about the most used structure on our property, and right now there's a friend and his son out there getting ready for high school season. We've even had neighbors complain about the traffic on the street due to the cage! I just mention to them that those boys could be doing something a lot worse than batting practice with their spare time.
We're getting ready to move this summer, and I hope the next owner appreciates the cage as much as we have. We will miss the kids and their parents that we have gotten to know better because of the cage in the back yard.
We're getting ready to move this summer, and I hope the next owner appreciates the cage as much as we have. We will miss the kids and their parents that we have gotten to know better because of the cage in the back yard.
Dad04-I just passed the limit with son number 2 Sunday-he was throwing to me in the Gym, emphasize "throwing" not pitching- and despite my admonition to take it easy, as he wound up I saw a little grin...and I bailed out as the ball whooshed by..no more catching him for me. I'm done. Line crossed. I hit the big 5-0 this summer and that's about all the velocity I should be catching, 5-0. (and JustMom can quit laughing now, yes, getting old here in the hills....) 
So 5 1/2 acres Doug! Just wondering if you have your own area code and Mayor! lol
"On two legs, Mickey Mantle would have been the greatest ballplayer who ever lived." - Nellie Fox
"On two legs, Mickey Mantle would have been the greatest ballplayer who ever lived." - Nellie Fox
CLD, We are hillbilly's. I had to teach my daughter that leaving her keys in the car was not a good idea when she moved away from home. We live in the forest, and it is real nice and peaceful.
By the time he was throwing upper 70s my vision was changing. It was wierd to not be able to catch fast pitching anymore safely. We get a lot done know watching videos and working on stance issues, load , balance and launch in the house. We go back to the MLB images to reinforce points. We can do more getting on the same page in the den than in hte cage sometimes. Would like a cage but too close to graduation now.
We've had a cage up and pitching machine for years. It's been the best investment going and contributed to the bushel basket of homerun balls now collecting dust. But that was before freshman year when varsity coach AND summer coach both said, "Lose the bat".......it’s a long story and was a very sad day for this family. Today the cage is still used to give lessons to local LL players, but it’s just not the same as hearing the crack of the bat 24-7. Neighbors might be happier though. 
Today the cage is still used to give lessons to local LL players, but it’s just not the same as hearing the crack of the bat 24-7. Neighbors might be happier though.
LOL. Don't imagine peace and quiet are problem for ya...
Growing up in Brooklyn, the island is the country to us. Car and front doors are open until bedtime... However, the neighbors do think we're crazy.
The best some of us can do here is convert the inside of the garage and hopefully be able to squeeze an L screen in. lol
Geez at about $1.5 mil per acre out here, I'd need not worry about scholarship money...
"On two legs, Mickey Mantle would have been the greatest ballplayer who ever lived." - Nellie Fox
Growing up in Brooklyn, the island is the country to us. Car and front doors are open until bedtime... However, the neighbors do think we're crazy.
The best some of us can do here is convert the inside of the garage and hopefully be able to squeeze an L screen in. lol
Geez at about $1.5 mil per acre out here, I'd need not worry about scholarship money...
"On two legs, Mickey Mantle would have been the greatest ballplayer who ever lived." - Nellie Fox
We have a batting cage in the backyard as well. It's both a tool and a convenience. No more trips to the local cages (except now in winter) We have a 2 wheel jugs machine and I built an "L" Frame for safety. We don't have a lot of room in the backyard so I strung cables from the house to the garage and the net slides on pulleys, back to the garage for storage (and to let me cut the grass - what's left of it) I coach both a rec/LL team and a travel team and we have been using our backyard for batting practice for a while now (that's why there is very little grass)
At first some folks thought I was nuts.... but my son was 9 when we got the cage playing in 12u Little League. (we are a small town with a small population) He was batting .000 at about the midpoint of the season when we got the cage. It was obvious to me that he was afraid of 12 year old pitching.... within 2 weeks of getting the cage, he was over his fear and hitting the ball with authority. He ended up hitting just over .320 that year. He led the league in hitting last year at 10. No one questions my cage anymore
cong
"In baseball, you don't know nothing." - Yogi
At first some folks thought I was nuts.... but my son was 9 when we got the cage playing in 12u Little League. (we are a small town with a small population) He was batting .000 at about the midpoint of the season when we got the cage. It was obvious to me that he was afraid of 12 year old pitching.... within 2 weeks of getting the cage, he was over his fear and hitting the ball with authority. He ended up hitting just over .320 that year. He led the league in hitting last year at 10. No one questions my cage anymore
cong
"In baseball, you don't know nothing." - Yogi
A T, some old netting, a few nails and alot of patience works in a townhouse backyard.. mine had that for several years
_______________
"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole."
"JustMom"
_______________
"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole."
"JustMom"
Put up our cage from Jugs w/ Jugs curveball machine in early summer 2000. Added lights 2 years later.
Lots of traffic with my son's and daughter's teams the last few years.
But whenever we have team parties, boys or girls, its always the dads' hogging the cage!
Lots of traffic with my son's and daughter's teams the last few years.
But whenever we have team parties, boys or girls, its always the dads' hogging the cage!
We built our 70' cage (well, I had a local fence co. do it) in June 2002, when my son was about to turn 8.
He loves it, and we have a few of his friends over at least a couple times per month to hit (and play).
We do have a machine but probably only use it ~3-4 times per month. I mostly pitch from ~25' behind an L-screen, as well as soft toss and tee work.
Last season, before our league had obtained field permits, we even conducted a few team practices in our yard.
We're glad we have one and look forward to the next 8-10 yrs w/ it.
He loves it, and we have a few of his friends over at least a couple times per month to hit (and play).
We do have a machine but probably only use it ~3-4 times per month. I mostly pitch from ~25' behind an L-screen, as well as soft toss and tee work.
Last season, before our league had obtained field permits, we even conducted a few team practices in our yard.
We're glad we have one and look forward to the next 8-10 yrs w/ it.
No cage -- but we do have a screen in the back yard for hitting off a tee and flip drills. The cost was about $300 for the screen, a tee, and a bucket of balls.
- Whoever said a walk was as good as a hit, couldn't hit.
- Whoever said a walk was as good as a hit, couldn't hit.
Actually 7 years ago when we moved to a new house, the one requirement I had to have was there had to be room for a Batting cage. So we bought home on an acre of land. So I have built a 70' cage, along with a mound (pitchers clay) on one end. Built the frame myself, put it into sleeves in concrete, bought $600 net, several 500 Watt lamps from Home Depot ran heavy duty extension cords from the garage, and presto Batting cage with lights. Total cost around $1200. But DOESN'T even compare to several others in our neighborhood. Slowly added old used pieces of carpet, so its now completely covered. Early on the boys were in it constantly; would take several hundred swings a week. Now the HS workouts, limit its usage, although, it still gets used a couple times a week during baseball season, little less during the off-season.
Started with a Single wheel machine and my arm... L-screen became a necessity in short order. Boys outgrew my arm first, then sold Single wheel (got almost 75% of my purchase price), bought a Juggs Curveball machine.
At about 14 there was no way I could catch my oldest... without getting hurt, even with full gear, but my youngest is now able to, although he complains on every bounced pitch.
In the long run it was a great investment, because I'll probably be able to sell the Juggs machine for a large percentage of what I bought it for and will have used it for 10-12 years... assuming I abandon any thoughts of grand kids.
Started with a Single wheel machine and my arm... L-screen became a necessity in short order. Boys outgrew my arm first, then sold Single wheel (got almost 75% of my purchase price), bought a Juggs Curveball machine.
At about 14 there was no way I could catch my oldest... without getting hurt, even with full gear, but my youngest is now able to, although he complains on every bounced pitch.
In the long run it was a great investment, because I'll probably be able to sell the Juggs machine for a large percentage of what I bought it for and will have used it for 10-12 years... assuming I abandon any thoughts of grand kids.
We have a cage in the back and lots of good friends to help with pick ups after every round of soft toss..... My next best investment was our skate sharpening machine!
Nice to know where the boys are!
Nice to know where the boys are!
After putting it off as long as I could I have broken down and ordered a cage for the back yard. should be in next week.
It should get real interesting around the house now.
Flood lights and all night BP. My neighbors are going to love it.
If anyone one is ever in the neighborhood drop by and we'll take a few swings.
It should get real interesting around the house now.
Flood lights and all night BP. My neighbors are going to love it.
If anyone one is ever in the neighborhood drop by and we'll take a few swings.
quote:
Originally posted by CoachRobert:
But whenever we have team parties, boys or girls, its always the dads' hogging the cage!
That's hilarious...... I love it.... When I want to get the "Dad's" out of the cage, I just crank the jugs up to 104 and it clears up nice and quick
cong
"In baseball, you don't know nothing." - Yogi
Put my cage up when my son was 10. Was 0 for 26 when the decision was made to put it up. With lots of patience and practice we worked through it. Best memories ever. CAUTION: Don't invest in a cage thinking your scholarship money is just a few hundred thousand pitches away. Go to the scholarship section of this site...More scholarships allowed in Lacrosse, and Track & Field than baseball. Do if for the love of your kid, not money...Oh ya better invest in some good lessons to. A few thousand bad swings in the cage are tough to correct.
Hubby and son tore out the deck in our first backyard and built a cage. In NOR. CA., yards were very small in our neighborhood, so cage took over entire backyard. They got a Batting Tudor whiffleball machine. That thing can flat out bring it from 30-40 ft. Throws Knuckleballs, too. Then they rebuilt cage and went with a Atec Machine that can throw the live baseballs or rubber balls. So as soon as that was completed, we moved of course. In the Midwest, we got some acreage. They built a cage out front that looks like something from Apocolypse Now. It's scary but it works. Then they put a recreational whiffleball field in the west field. The team had a blast playing on hot summer nights. We were buying Gatorade in bulk. Recently, hubby and son tore out the horse stalls in barn and converted it into an indoor cage for winter. It's rustic but the dirt floor has been great for batting. They stapled plastic up for a little insulation, then added a turbo Kerosene heater for those cold winter days and he can hit when it's 20 degrees out. We love to watch him hit, it's poetry in motion. What a ride!
My mother wouldn't allow one in the back yard. My father and I lobbied hard but to avail. I even suggested to him to adopt another male child so it would be 3-1 in voting. It never happened, although I don't doubt he considered it.
Thought there was a relevant connection...you're the best Sandman!! My favorite familyquote:Originally posted by bbscout:
CLD, We are hillbilly's. I had to teach my daughter that leaving her keys in the car was not a good idea when she moved away from home. We live in the forest, and it is real nice and peaceful.
Het Shep,
Do you notice Granny has that Ty Cobb sliding hand type grip.
I think she's getting ready to lay one down the third baseline.
EH
Do you notice Granny has that Ty Cobb sliding hand type grip.
I think she's getting ready to lay one down the third baseline.
EH
Elli May can be on my team anytime?
EH
EH
Eight years ago I was doing a little Ebaying and ran across an auction for 250 linear feet of commercial fishing net - 12' wide. Perfect. Put up a pipe frame, used some rigging hardware I had leftover from a major audio system installation and in two days I had a 70' x 20' x 12' cage - for under $300.00. Last yer some 70 mph wind gusts took a tree down on it. Best baseball investment ever!
Installed an indoor cage in my health club with a Casey Pro pitching machine, 300-ball automatic hopper. Spent a lot.
My son is now a LHP who's been told to concentrate on just that. Oh well, make a few bucks from my members!
My son is now a LHP who's been told to concentrate on just that. Oh well, make a few bucks from my members!
We have been having a batting cage in our backyard for about 3 years; we live on one acre. Husband built the frame, bought a $600.00 net. Found a double wheel jugs machine for $500.00 in the local paper. Pitching machine was in excellent shape, not a scratch or dent, could not tell it was used. I thought it was a great deal. Cage is used at least 5 days a week from January through August. We have two boys, age 12 and 15. It was worth every penny. Husband also gives free hitting instructions and/or batting practice to whoever asks or shows up.
quote:Found a double wheel jugs machine for $500.00 in the local paper. Cage is used at least 5 days a week from January....
Can it shoot a hockey puck
Hockey Puck in South Louisiana? Don't think I ever saw one of those.
quote:Originally posted by louisiana09:
Hockey Puck in South Louisiana? Don't think I ever saw one of those.
Do the Louisiana Ice Gators still play minor league hockey down there? I remember our Peoria (IL) Rivermen beating them for the Kelly Cup in the ECHL a few years ago.
We have a 60' cage on the side of our house and a regulation mound in the back yard. Both just fit in the space we have.
The kids throw across my pool to home plate and the cage on the side of the house is the backstop.
My wife has let us keep it all here for the last 11 years. How's that for a baseball mom!
The kids throw across my pool to home plate and the cage on the side of the house is the backstop.
My wife has let us keep it all here for the last 11 years. How's that for a baseball mom!
Ice Gators have not been here for 2 seasons I believe. Went to a few games, had a really good time. It was a really good thing for quite a few years.
Swingbuster, when you're loading that HBH, you don't to worry about much about that vision. LOL! I do understand your predicament. My girl is throwing hard enough now that I'm getting busted up. Besides the bruises, she's bloodied my ear.
I wish we had a cage in our backyard. We don't! Probably a good thing since both my daughter and I could become fanatics. Of course I'm blessed with having a cage year round anyway both indoors and out. I do have to drive a couple of miles to get here. ...and they said that there weren't any perks to this job.
I wish we had a cage in our backyard. We don't! Probably a good thing since both my daughter and I could become fanatics. Of course I'm blessed with having a cage year round anyway both indoors and out. I do have to drive a couple of miles to get here. ...and they said that there weren't any perks to this job.