Batting Cage Myth - A Batting Cage Must Be Long to Be Useful

“A Baseball Batting Cage must be long for it to be useful.” This is simply not true.

Players of all ages, even at the high school and collegiate levels benefit from batting practice in batting cages that are 35’ to 50’ in length. Shorter batting cages may be limited in length, but they offer huge benefits when they are used regularly. Very seldom do baseball and softball batters take cage batting practice from their regular pitching distance. The wear on the throwers arm to reduced at shorter distances. The accuracy of the batting practice pitches are always more consistent when at shorter distances. Shorter Batting Cages are of course less expensive and they do not require the space that much larger cages reuire.

“Long-toss”, “front-toss”, and various other batting practice drills can be performed at distances under the regular pitching distance. When batters take swings at pitches thrown at 35’ the batter is seeing and reacting to pitches that simulate higher speeds at the normal pitching distance. The player’s “triggering”, “separation”, and “loading” mechanisms are all at the same speed, rhythm, and timing as under normal game hitting.

For more great information, drills and tips, visit the Baseball Coaching Digest.

Have a great day, Nick.