6 Types of Home Batting Cages: What You Need to Know

If you have a serious baseball or softball player in your family or are a ballplayer yourself, you know the importance of hard work and practice. But it’s not always convenient to travel to the local facility or field, especially during the season or after hours. That’s all the more reason to install a home batting cage, where players can take batting practice (or defensive practice) on their own any time they want.

But choosing the right batting cage for home isn’t just about clicking and placing an order with your credit card. You need to know which type of batting cage will work the best for your yard and needs. This guide will help.

Types of Home Batting Cages

The following will break down the different types of batting cages you’re likely to find for backyard spaces. We’ll even go over the pros and cons, and the types of yards they’re most suitable for so you have a better idea of which to choose. And, if you need more motivation, check out these reasons why you need a backyard batting cage.

Suspension or Professional Batting Cages

Suspension or professional-style batting cages typically have four poles, one at each corner of the cage. Steel braided cable runs from corner to corner, and diagonally across to form an X in the middle. The batting cage net is then attached to these cables, providing a beautiful, flat, level cage that has a professional look.

The true value of these cages is that there aren’t any ribs or extra poles along the sides or tops of the cage. Balls that are hit will ride along the net and then drop when they run out of momentum, rather than ricocheting off the sides. Also, these cages can be customized to fit any size yard, and with the net removed, the homeowner only has four poles to look at in the yard, not an entire batting cage frame.

There are downsides to the professional cages though. They’re expensive due to the cost of the metal poles (often over $400 each) and the fittings and attachments. Also, they’re difficult to install as they require deep holes and concrete footings, meaning you’ll need power equipment to install them. But they can be installed in sloping yards, with the poles set at different depths to make up for the incline.

Pros

• No ribs or poles for balls to ricochet
• Professional look and feel
• With the net removed, there are only four poles in the yard
• Customizable lengths

Cons

• Expensive due to the cost of poles and fittings
• Difficult to install without equipment

Best for:

Well-landscaped backyards, uneven terrain, players with powerful swings, full team practices

Freestanding

Freestanding cages are often ideal for home batting cages. They consist of a batting cage frame, with ribs that attach to one another, allowing it to stay upright and in place without the use of footings or ground sleeves. The ribs are assembled, stood in place, and connected to one another, and the cage is draped inside the frame.

These cages are great because they’re usually fairly inexpensive (you can get shorter sizes for under $1,000) and really easy to install. They’re also available in a wide range of lengths, and if the winter months are snowy and cold, you can break them down easily and store them in the garage.

The biggest issues with these freestanding cages are they’re not as stable as in-ground cages, and they have ribs, potentially causing ricochets on hard-hit balls. They also require flat, level ground, otherwise balls can slip under the frame.

Pros

• Generally inexpensive and easy to install
• Available in several lengths
• Can easily be taken down in the winter and reinstalled in the spring

Cons

• Not as stable as an in-ground or professional cage
• Ribs can cause ricochets

Best for:

Flat yards, cold winter climates, even portability to a degree

In-ground

In-ground cages are a lot like freestanding cages in that their frames are made up of ribs. The kit comes in several pieces, like freestanding cages, but their ribs are installed in the ground rather than connecting to one another for stability. This creates stable, sturdy cages that can generally last for years and years.

These frames are easy to install, with or without equipment. The footings don’t have to be as deep as the suspension cage. The footings have to be accurately dug, but that doesn’t require equipment. Also, these cages are available in a wide range of sizes, making them a good choice for most backyards. And, like suspension cages, they can be installed on sloping yards. 

If there is room for complaint about these cages, it’s that they’re not as easy to take down in the winter, though ground sleeves (oversized galvanized pipe that the frames slide into) do make it easier. Also, since there are ribs, ricochets are common.

Pros

• Permanent installation provides stability
• Relatively easy to install, even without equipment
• Available in a range of lengths

Cons

• Not as easy to take down in the winter (though ground sleeves make it possible)
• Ribs can cause ricochets

Best for:

Flat yards, warmer climates for year-round practice, hidden backyards

Retractable

Retractable cages take many forms, but they’re generally built inside a structure like a garage or barn, or over an area like a driveway. The net can be pulled back and forth, allowing homeowners to use the space for parking vehicles or other purposes. They have steel cables that attach to either side of the cage, suspended by poles, the house’s framing, or even trees, and glide along carabiners.

Depending on the situation, retractable cages aren’t that difficult to install. Also, since the net can be pulled back, homeowners don’t have to give up space in their yard for a batting cage. These cages also don’t have any supports or ribs in the middle, preventing the ball from careening off the pole and causing an injury. 

There are downsides, for sure. Retractable nets do need time to set up, whether it’s just a few seconds or a few minutes, moving things out of the way and securing the net. Also, these home batting cages generally sag in the middle which isn’t ideal for throwing batting practice. 

Pros

• Generally easy to install
• Net can be pulled back when not in use
• No ribs for ricochets

Cons

• Often sags in the middle
• Requires set-up time

Best for:

Driveways, shared backyards, garage cages

Inflatable

Inflatable hitting tunnels do exist, and in some circumstances, they’re the right move. Their ribs are filled with air, and the net is built-in. But when it comes to home batting cages, we find there are more issues than pros. 

Yes, these hitting tunnels are easy to set up. Roll them out, plug them in, and turn them on. Also, ricochets are possible but dampened, making them slightly safer than a metal pole. Also, they’re heavy but portable, which is what they’re really designed for. 

But, these tunnels are expensive. They also require a constant power source to prevent them from deflating during practice. Also, they’re not as durable to roots, rocks, and sticks that one might find in a backyard. 

Pros

• Easy to set up
• Ricochets are generally dampened

Cons

• Expensive to purchase
• Requires a constant power source
• Not as durable

Best for:

Portability

DIY

DIY batting cages are sometimes the best option. They can take any shape or form, and be designed to fit in any space, and homeowners can customize them all they want. They can be suspension style, framed, chainlink, retractable, or any other type of material if planned correctly. They can be as affordable or as over-the-top as desired, and homeowners get to use the type of batting cage net they want.

The issue is that DIY cages don’t have warranties, and there are often maintenance or design issues. Also, they do require some hands-on skills and tools to build. 

Pros

• Custom design
• Can fit any yard
• Can be as affordable or as over-the-top as desired

Cons

• Often maintenance issues
• Requires some hands-on skills and tools

Best for:

Handy homeowners, backyards that require a specific look

Other Factors To Consider

There’s more to choosing a batting cage than just the type. We put together this guide on the important things to consider about backyard batting cages to help simplify the decision-making process. Here’s a quick rundown:

So Which Type of Batting Cage is Right for You?

Ultimately, you need to decide which home batting cage type is the best fit for you, your yard, and your player. The best options are professional-style cages and freestanding batting cages, but they’re not ideal for everyone’s situation. Weigh out the pros and cons and decide which is the best overall option, but make sure to do it soon so your player can get in as much practice as possible before the big game.