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Batting cage packages come in variuos lengths. You can find a complete batting cage system that is perfect for your needs. Go to BattingCagesDirect.com and see the many cage package options that they sell.


70' Batting Cage
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$1099.95
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55' Batting Cage
w/ #36 Netting
$999.95
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40' Batting Cage
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Questions? Need some help
or advice? Call Trey or Bill,
Toll Free at 1-877-431-4487.

Build a Batting Cage in Your Backyard

By Brandon Bland

To build a batting cage, there are many different options you have to consider. A batting cage in your backyard can be one of the greatest assets to you or your child's playing career. Therefore, it is a wise investment and one that should be highly considered by every ballplayer and their parents.

The first thing to consider is where you would like to set up your batting cage. There are many various ways in which you can set up a cage, and will all depend on space available, budget, etc. First off, all cages will require various amounts of assembly and construction. If you have an unlimited budget and space available, it will be no problem to purchase a nice high quality cage from a company like Jugs or Atec.

For those of us looking to save a little money (who isn't, right?), there are many other options available. You may buy kits from several companies online that will ship most or all of the parts to you for fairly reasonable prices. Something that you should also consider is that you may purchase many of the parts, including netting, and especially the frame from your local hardware store. This can result in some pretty substantial savings, because you will end up saving on shipping costs.

If you have limited space, you may have to get a little creative on how you rig up your cage. There are however, standard sizes for cages that most nets are made for. Here is a list of some of those sizes.


70' L x 14' W x 12' H
65' L x 11' W x 11' H
10' L x 12' W x 12' H
55' L x 12' W x 12' H
40' L x 12' W x 12' H

The size you choose will depend on how much space you have to play with, how old the ballplayer using it will be, how much you wish to spend, etc. Obviously the larger nets cost more than the smaller ones. Regardless of the age, a wider and higher cage will allow for a little more comfort and room to work with.

Hopefully this will give you some insight into the things you should consider before you build a batting cage. Remember, that it will be a wise investment in you or your child's playing career, so take your time and make sure you will get exactly what you need. You can find more information about equipment and netting here:

http://www.baseball-equipment-review.com/build-a-batting-cage.html

Brandon Bland is the webmaster of Baseball Equipment Review, a site devoted to informing ballplayers of the quality of today's baseball equipment so they can make informed decisions about their purchases.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Bland

BattingCagesDirect.com = Buy your batting cage net or batting cage net and frame for less at BattingCagesDirect.com.

Building a Batting Cage

By Jason Gluckman

Batting cages are mostly used by baseball or softball coaches and players for practice. There are several types of batting cages, including indoor, outdoor, portable, and tunnel batting cages. Completely enclosed batting cages need more space. There is a simple net behind the batsman.

Weather is an important factor in choosing a batting cage. Indoor batting cages are required if the weather is bad. Portable batting cages are useful for players who frequently participate in games; they can practice any time with the portable cage.

In order to build a batting cage, one must understand its main features. The netting and frame are the two important features of a batting cage. The frame used in a batting cage is constructed with high-strength, adjustable aluminum tubes. In outdoor batting cages, the frame is coated with a special weather?resistant powder coating. Manufacturers are conducting tests with batting cage materials for strength and durability. The material used for netting should be durable enough to withstand adverse weather conditions. The net material may be chosen according to the application. The netting used is often black in color. Nylon material is used for netting in indoor batting cages. Polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polyester Kevlar, and KVX200 are other common netting materials. Batting cage nettings now available are weather coated with polyurethane and water repellants and spray-coated with resins to ensure longer life. Construction is another factor that determines the durability of a batting cage.

Flooring is usually made of polypropylene stretchable material attached to the net. The cage entrance needs black PVC-coated chain link. Some batting cages use pitching machines, which are either coin- or token-operated pitching machines. The number of pitches in the machine can be selected. Pneumatic ball return systems automatically return the balls to the pitching machine.

Many dealers provide do-it-yourself batting cage kits with proper instructions, which contain all the materials for a standard batting cage.

Batting Cages provides detailed information on Batting Cages, Indoor Batting Cages, Outdoor Batting Cages, Batting Cages Equipment and more. Batting Cages is affiliated with Cheap Baseball Tickets.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Gluckman

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Alber Pujols Sweet Spot Training Bat - The perfect bat for batting cage BP

Center In On the Barrel. There’s no better way to increase your batting power than hitting consistently on the “sweet spot.” The Sweet Spot bat trains you to hit on the proper part of the barrel for easy power and going deep. This is the perfect training bat for live batting practice or batting practice in the batting cage.

=Heavy-duty construction (2 1/4”all-bamboo barrel and handle with reinforced fiberglass rod)
=Strong enough for live pitching, great with swing trainers
=Instant feedback and “sting” if hit too far off center
Improves batters’ ability to hit on the sweet spot for power and distance
=Multiple sizes to simulate regulation baseball bat lengths (28”, 30”, 32”)
=Availabe in Adults Sizes Also
For more information on the Albert Pujols Sweet Spot...Click Here.

Baseball Quotes about Hitting from MLB Hall of Famers

I thought that you might like to read what some of baseball best had to say about the "art of hitting a baseball".

"Hitting"


"When you're hitting the ball, it comes at you looking like a grapefruit. When you're not, it looks like a blackeyed pea."
George Scott

"So I'm ugly. I never saw anyone hit with his face."
Yogi Berra

"I have observed that baseball is not unlike a war, and when you come right down to it, we batters are the heavy artillery."
Ty Cobb

Good pitching will always stop good hitting and vice versa."
Casey Stengel

"I'd rather hit than have sex."
Reggie Jackson

About Hank Aaron
"Trying to sneak a fastball past him is like trying to sneak the sunrise past a rooster."
Curt Simmons

"George Brett could get wood on an aspirin."
Jim Frey

"Edie Stanky couldn't hit, couldn't run, couldn't field, and couldn't throw, but he was the best player on the club. All Mr. Stanky could do for you was win."
Branch Rickey

Thanks for stopping in. Have a great day, Nick

Baseball Training - The BatAction Machine Makes Learning to Hit Easy and Efficient!

The BatAction Hitting Machine is the Original Rotational Hitting Machine. The BatAction Machine is a great baseball training device for baseball players of all ages and ability levels. The BatAction Machine has an innovative patented design that has a ball suspended horizontally.

This simple design makes learning to hit easy, simple and safe. When a player hits the BatAction Ball, the ball is driven forward and around the machine. The machine then stops the ball and returns it to the player. The horizontal patented design of the machine suspends the ball in mid-air allowing the ball to react to bat contact like a real baseball or softball. The player can hit the ball moving or wait until the ball stops. The batter has ample time between swings to reset and prepare for the next swing.

The Bat Action Machine allows the batter work at a comfortable speed and pace. There is no need for another person. The batter has to do nothing but swing the bat. The Bat Action Machine does everything else. These are no balls to gather, no balls to chase and no balls to pick up. There are no levers to press, balls to toss, or pedals to step on. The Bat Action is absolutely 100% energy efficient and it is so much fun to hit! It's no wonder; the Bat Action Machine is one of the most popular and best selling baseball training machines ever!

The BatAction Baseball Training Machine offers 5 great benefits:

1. The BatAction Machine has a large circle of ball movement - This large path of ball movement allows the batter to see, hit and track the ball before and after each swing. The BatAction ball movement closely simulates live pitching!

2. The BatAction Machine allows the batter to read swing contact. The ball is suspended in mid-air without cables, string, or ropes. This unique patented design allows the ball to react to bat contact much like a real ball. The batter receives instant feedback as to the quality and power of every swing. The batter can immediately read the ball after contact to see if the ball hit was a line drive, ground ball or fly ball. This instant feedback is extremely useful and beneficial to rapid skill improvement and bat speed development.

3. Every swing is a challenge - The BatAction Machine features a moving ball with adjustable speeds. Players really love the challenge and fun of seeing and hitting a moving ball. The harder a player hits the ball, the faster it will return. This ball movement keeps the batter challenged and motivated to practice more and more.

4. The BatAction Machine fast moving ball makes every swing a challenge - The BatAction Machine features a moving ball with adjustable speeds. Players really love the challenge and fun of seeing and hitting a moving ball. The harder a player hits the ball, the faster it will return. This ball movement keeps the batter challenged and motivated to practice more and more.

5. The BatAction Machine is a great trainer for planned or impulse training - The BatAction is often used as a hitting station for team training. It is great for these planned activities. But, one of the benefits that makes it one of the most popular home trainers ever, is the fact that it can be set up as a hitting station in the backyard. This makes the BatAction Machine always available to a hitter for fun and recreational use. These impulse workouts can be done alone, even when Dad or Mom is not at home. This is why the Bat Action Machine is often called the Backyard Basketball Goal for baseball and softball players. It is so much fun to hit that kids spend hours and hours of their free time hitting the fast moving ball. These fun workouts are the reason that BatAction Machine owners are some of the most dominate hitters in the game today.

For more BatAction Hitting Machine drills, tips, and coaching information visit the BatAction Training Blog. Check out the BatAction Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty.

Two Myths Concerning Baseball Batting Cages

Two Batting Cage Myths that are simply not true are (1) A Batting Cage must be long for it to be usable for all ages and (2) A batter must see 75 miles per hour pitches to receive maximum benefit from cage work. Coach Dixon discusses how many batting cage buyers are mistaken or misled in buying or building a new baseball batting cage.

Two Batting Cage Myths that are simply not true:

1. Batting Cage Myth Number One - A Batting Cage must be long for it to be usable for all ages.

This is simply not true. Players of all ages, even the high school and collegiate levels can benefit from batting practice in batting cages that are 35 to 50 feet in length. A batting cage does not have to be 70 feet long for it to beneficial to advanced players. The reason for this is that long-toss, front-toss and various other batting practice drills can be performed at distances under the regular pitching distances. When batters take swings at pitches thrown at 35 feet, the batter is seeing and reacting to pitches that simulate higher speeds at the normal pitching distance. The player must perform the swing with the proper trigger, separate, and load actions. All of these elements of the swing must be done at the same speed, rhythm, and timing as under normal game hitting.

2. Batting Cage Myth Number Two - A batter must see 75 miles per hour pitches to receive maximum benefit from batting cage batting practice.

Most hitters at all levels of play including high school, college, and pros would rather see and hit live arm pitches at 45 miles per hour at 30 feet than pitches thrown by a machine at 75 miles per hour. Live-arm batting practice is batting practice thrown by a person not a machine. We must remember that advanced batters benefit most from seeing pitches thrown by a person. The batter must pick-up the pitcher arm-slot, the pitcher release point and time the speed of the pitch thrown. When a person is throwing batting practice the speed and location of every pitch can be changed. It is also a fact that many people are not adept at throwing strikes at longer distances. However, most people can throw an accurate pitch for a strike from 30and 40 feet distances. The batter gets more work in because more pitches are hittable. Not as much time and effort is wasted by with bad pitches out of the strike zone. The shorter distance makes the workout more efficient.

What does this all mean to you as a batting cage buyer?

You do not have to buy a 70 feet long cage with an expensive pitching machine to get incredible benefits from owning a batting cage. The 70 foot long batting cage is great for team or institutions because it can be divided into two 35 feet mini batting cages that allow two batters to work at a time. So there is a benefit to owning a longer cage if you are buying it for a school or team use. But, for the average home user, a 45 to 55 feet cage is suitable for all drills, batting practice, and applications that you will need for your player to be successful through the high school level. In my opinion, many people become discouraged from buying a batting cage because they feel they must buy a 70 feet cage with a $2000 pitching machine. They feel they must spend $3000 to $5000. This is not true. You can get all the practice they need by buying a batting cage and frame with an investment under $800. If at some time later you decide to purchase a machine, you can always do so. I think it is important to realize that the batting cage you buy will be used for a variety of batting drills. The function of the batting cage is safety, ball containment, and practice efficiency. The batting cage is no better than the parent or coach that dedicates time for its use. If you use it, you will experience incredible results. It will be a wise investment. Kids can not use the batting cage without parental or adult supervision and participation. If you do not have the time to spend with your player in the cage, you would be better advised to buy a self-contained solo-practice device such as the BatAction Seft-Trainer Hitting Machine.

The CoachesBest Baseball Store has a great selection of BASEBALL HITTING, COACHING and TRAINING DVDs
Check out BattingCagesDirect.com for top quality batting cages at discount prices. They specialize in complete batting cage kits with net and frame included for one low price.

Nick Dixon is the President and founder of Nedco Sports, the "Hit2win Company". Dixon is also an active and full time high school baseball coach with over 25 years experience. Dixon is widely recognized as an expert in the area of baseball training, practice and skill development. Coach Dixon is better known as the inventor of several of baseball and softball's most popular training products such as the Original BatAction Hitting Machine, SKLZ Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine, Original Hitting Stick, Hit2win Trainer, SKLZ Target Trainer, SKLZ Derek Jeter ZipnHit Pro, and Strikeback Trainer.

Dixon is also a contributing writer for BaseballCoachingDigest, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, Batting Cage Builder, the American Baseball Directory and the Hit2win Baseball Coaches Monthly Newsletter. Dixon has 5 blogs related to baseball training including the BaseballCoachingDigest Blog, CoachesBest Training Blog, Hurricane Machine Training Blog, Batting Cage Buyers Blog, and the Bat Action Training Blog.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon

Baseball Coaching and Training; Recommended Drill - BUNT PEPPER

Bunt Pepper

This is a great drill to develop bunting skills. The drill involves 5 players in each group. The players may use the pivot or square around bunt technique. The batter must bunt the ball to each of the four fielders. The hitter bunts one to each and then takes the left fielders (facing the batter) place. The right fielder comes to bat and the other move over one place. The coach should emphasize that the batters bunt the ball softly to the fielders. The bat should be keep at a 45 degree angle and the batter should change height by bending the knees. Fielders should catch the ground ball, bare-handed, out front, then square the feet around and throw the next strike to the hitter. This makes a great warmup drill for the beginning of practice. Defensive skills should also be stressed.

The CoachesBest Baseball Store has a great selection of BASEBALL HITTING, COACHING and TRAINING DVDs
Check out the Bat Action Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty.

Baseball Instruction - What to Change If You Hit Lots of Groundballs

Nate Barnett

Because there are so many intricate moving parts within the baseball swing, it's tough to keep everything moving well, all of the time. Add the fact that the pitcher is trying to mess up everything you've learned in all your hours of baseball instruction and you've got some serious challenges.

One of the most common questions I get as a hitting instructor is solving the problem of grounding out repetitively to the pull side (left side of the field as a righty, right side of the field as a lefty). There are multiple causes of this problem, but chances are that it's one of the below issues I'll cover.

1. The most common hitting mistake that leads to frequent ground outs is too much weight transferring forward onto the front leg. Good hitting stems from energy that is stored onto the back leg. Therefore, when preparing for the job of hitting a baseball, the hitter must shift some weight onto his back leg before the baseball swing begins. If the hitter doesn't shift the weight to his back leg, or doesn't keep the weight there as he swings, he will begin to transfer weight to his front foot and become off balance. This balance problem (too much weight on the front foot) will cause a lot of baseballs that are hit in a downward angle.

2. A second cause of hitting ground balls to the pull side is the opening of the front hip too soon. As mentioned above, the back side of a hitter's body creates power and energy. The front side of the body (front foot, knee, and hip) are then responsible for controlling some of that energy and channeling it into the correct direction, back to the pitcher. If the front hip begins to rotate at the same moment the back knee and hip begin to turn, energy will be moving away from the contact zone. Because of this, many times the bat will enter the hitting zone and come into contact with the ball as it's moving away from the plate causing a ground ball or top spin line drive (bad spin) to the pull side.

3. One last cause is an improper hand path into the hitting zone. Some of the problem can stem from poor front hip control, but sometimes it's just the hands that are the issue. In general, and without being too technical on this part of the baseball swing, the hands should stay near the body as they enter the hitting zone. Hands that stray away from the body will cause a bat that is sweeping through the zone. A bat that sweeps will not be moving towards the pitch on contact with the ball. Instead, the bat will be moving away and to the pull side. This is improper extension and will be the cause of multiple issues ranging from a slow bat to getting jammed on a lot of inside pitches.

Finally, my suggestion would be do a search on the internet for some pictures or videos of major league hitters and look for the parts of the swing mentioned in this article. It's only with a visual that you will begin to learn and understand the intricate details of a good baseball swing. Once you learn some of the techniques, implementing some exercises into your youth baseball drills will make all the difference in correcting this problem.

Nate Barnett is owner of BMI Baseball http://bmibaseball.com and is based out of Washington State. His expertise is in the area of hitting, pitching, and mental training. Coach Barnett's passion is working with youth in helping expand their vision for their baseball future. After finishing a professional career in the Seattle Mariners Organization, Nate pursued his coaching and motivational training career. His instructional blog is located at http://bmibaseball.com/blog
His new FREE ebook, Toxic Baseball: Are you polluting your game? can be found on the main BMI Baseball website.
Hitting Mechanics 101, an ebook on complete hitting mechanics will be released in June, 2008. Features include numerous illustrations, video clips, and a special offer to discuss your hitting questions over live on the phone strategy sessions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nate_Barnett

Baseball Swing Parasites and How to Debug Your Game - Part 1

by Nate Barnett

Baseball swing parasites are those unseen and sometimes unknown things that affect your performance at the plate in a negative fashion. Without taking care of the parasites, your baseball swing will begin to decay, wither, and become quite vulnerable to good pitchers. This is true especially as you get older and the pitching gets progressively better. I will be writing a few articles on three very common parasites that can damage your baseball swing. The reason for splitting the articles up is simply length and retention. So stay tuned for a couple more after this one.

Click Here to continue reading this great article at the BaseballCoachingDigest.com

Tips for Buiding a Better Backyard Batting Cage

You do not have to worry if you purchase a batting cage net and frame package or a batting cage kit because these systems are designed to work together. Your frame poles should be made of treated wood or metal poles to insure that you get the long-term use that you want. Do not "skimp" on your frame materials or you will have to replace or repair your frame within a year or so. Below is an article with 10 tips for building a better batting cage.

Read the Complete Article...

6 Great Youth Baseball Training products that Produce Incredible Results

6 Great Youth Baseball Training products that Produce Incredible ResultsResultsHere are 6 of the hottest new training products in youth baseball and youth softball. These hit trainers are knwon and respected for producing rasining batting averages, improving hitting mechanics, and teaching the correct fundamentals of hitting a baseball.

1. BatAction Self-Trainer Hitting Machine by Nedco Sports - One of the best known trainers on the market. It is popular because it is simple to use, raises batting averages, and has speed and height adjustments for all ages and skill levels. The unit weight less than 35 pounds, packs away easily and travels in the truck of your car. Price under $200 http://www.bataction.com

2. Target Handheld Hit Trainer - This hitting stick trainer by SKLZ offers easy, portable, inexpensive, and productive batting practice for teeball, youth baseball, and youth softball. The units is lightweight and can be carried to game for pre-game warm-up. Price under $50 http://www.baseball2u.com/prohitrbynes.html

3. Handsback Hitter by Swing Buster - This unique and innovative batting trainer features a mechanical tee that launches the ball into the strikezone. The players learns very quickly to trigger, stay back, and drive the barrel through the baseball or softball. Portable unit that can travel to games and practices. Price under $100 http://www.handsbackhitter.com

4. Stay Back Batting Tee - This great training tee teaches players to stay back, to hit with leverage and power, and to keep the weight and hands back. This tee is simply to assemble and can be used at all ages because it has several adjustments. Portable with a weight less than 25 pounds. Price under $100 http://www.staybacktee.com

5. Advanced Skills Batting Tee - This innnovative new batting tee by Muhl Tech is the one of the hottest selling training products of 2009. The lightweight tee has a unique design and barrier that teached the batter to have a compact, short, and prefect swing. Sells for under $100 http://www.advancedskillstee.com

6. Quick Swing Trainer - This unique batting machine is automated. It produces incredible bat speed and builds batter confidence extremely fast. Lightweight and batter operated for complete portability. This is a great training tool and the cost is under $100. I suggest that you buy the combo that includes the net and machine for $129.95.http://www.quickswingtrainer.com

Have a great day.Nick

The Baseball Swing - Rotational Hitting Explained

By Nate Barnett

It seems like baseball instruction in the area of hitting mechanics is splitting into two different camps. Rotational hitting vs. Linear hitting. If you're new to the baseball world, or are just unfamiliar with the new exciting terminology, let me offer some explanation.
Rotational Hitting

The purpose of the baseball swing is to transfer the most energy into the baseball as possible. In order to get the most energy created, there are specific parts of the body that need to move at the correct time in order for this energy to occur.

A rotational approach offers that the energy used in creating a powerful baseball swing stems from the back side of the body, and more specifically the lower half of the back side. The controlled chain reaction that happens when the back side is moved at precisely the correct time toward the pitch is quite powerful. On the flip side, incorrect timing of the back knee and hip will produce a sluggish bat.

A rotational approach to hitting uses the follow steps to a good baseball swing:
1. A good weight shift to the back leg from the stance position as a hitter is preparing to hit. Make sure that this weight shift is not purely horizontal in motion, since this will create an imbalance.
2. The next step is the trigger. This is the most important movement that separates a rotational hitter from a linear hitter. The triggering process should begin with the back knee turning and moving towards the pitcher (as apposed to simply spinning in place). The back hip will quickly follow the back knee in the rotation process. Lastly, the hands will begin to enter into the hitting zone. It's important that the hands do not begin the swing since the power is stemming from the back knee and hip. Early hand movement would negate any effort to use energy from the back side of the hitter's body.
3. As the bat enters the zone, one will begin to see signs that a rotational approach has been utilized. The common tell tale signs are the balance points. The easiest to explain in writing is that upon contact with the pitch there will be vertical alignment with the inside shoulder joint, the back hip, and the back knee joint. This alignment shows that balance is retained and no weight has shifted forward onto the front foot (more of a linear style).
As an aside, rotational hitting is used by most major colleges and a vast majority of Major League hitters. It provide balance and power to the baseball swing.

About the Author
Nate Barnett is owner of BMI Baseball http://bmibaseball.com and is based out of Washington State. His expertise is in the area of hitting, pitching, and mental training. Coach Barnett's passion is working with youth in helping expand their vision for their baseball future. After finishing a professional career in the Seattle Mariners Organization, Nate pursued his coaching and motivational training career. His instructional blog is located at http://bmibaseball.com/blog
His new FREE ebook, Toxic Baseball: Are you polluting your game? can be found on the main BMI Baseball website.
Hitting 101, an ebook on complete hitting mechanics will be released by June 1st, 2008. Features include numerous illustrations, video clips, and a special offer to discuss your hitting questions over live on the phone strategy sessions.

Building a Batting Cage. Our batting cage building Tips and Info can help.

This morning I decided to post a short story that should reflect the attitude of every baseball coach at every level including little league, junior high, highs scoo, collegiate and MLB.If you are a baseball coach or parent, you are a carpenter, you are in the process of building something! Have a great weekend, Nick

"Coach, You Are The Carpenter"

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the housebuilding business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire.
They could get by.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and ask if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.

When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you." What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.

So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had realized that, we would have done it differently. Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity. The plaque on the wall says, "Life is a do-it-yourself project". Who could say it more clearly? Your life today is the result of your attitudes and choices in the past. Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.

Author Unknown
Content Borried From BestInspirations.com
http://www.bestinspiration.com/wisdom.php3?issue=18&uid=43423

Shop Coachesbest.com, BattingCagesDirect.com, BattingCagerUs.com, and BatAction.com for all of your baseball training DVDs and equipment.

Buying a Batting cage: Why did we choose Polyethylene?

Why did we choose Polyethylene?

Family's have a need for a batting cage that is durable and that will last them at least 5 years. PE netting does not absorb water. This prevents the net from becoming saturated with moisture. This saturation can possibly causes the net to become heavy, sag and possibly stretch. This heavy weight can also cause the cage frame to stress. After three years of outdoor exposure, PE netting retains a higher tensile strength than nylon. PE holds up well under direct sun. PE is more economical than nylon. Most family's are looking to buy the absolute best product they can for the absolute best price. The PE product offers our customers the best price and performance for the dollar! Our batting cage netting also features a heavy rope border along the bottom, corners, and top ribs.

In the Southern regions of the U.S. and and especially along the coast, high heat and humidity shortens the life span of nylon netting, even when it is treated. Batting Cage For Sale at BattingCageDirect.com

Batting Cage Nets and Frames Terms and Descriptions

Batting Cage Nets and Frames Terms and Descriptions
The Batting Cage Nets and Frames are the two main components needed to have a quality batting cage setup. The choice of which batting cage net and netting material to buy is the most important decision you must make. You have basically two choices in netting materials, NYLON and POLYETHYLENE.

When it comes to Batting Cage Nets and Frames, and the materials used to make each, it is best to keep things simple. The most important thing for you to know is the following fact, "If your batting cage is going to be an indoor batting cage, buy a Nylon batting cage....If your batting cage is going to be an outdoor batting cage, buy a Polyethylene batting cage."

Now I could blow smoke and talk over both of our heads in scientific terms and fancy long words. But, I would rather keep it simple, sell you exactly what is best for your needs and your budget, and have you as a lifetime customer.

The netting facts in a nutshell are:

NYLON - Nylon makes a great net if you can keep it out of the rain and weather. The net itself is extremely durable and resistant to ball abrasion. However, It does not make a good outdoors cage material because it absorbs water, stretches, and tends to mildew and rot when exposed to moisture.

POLYETHYLENE - "Poly" as it is known, makes a great outdoor batting cage material because it is extremely weather-proof. Poly batting cages nets do not absorb water, do not rot, and they are lighter in weight, so therefore the batting cage frame does not have to be as heavy-duty as those used with Nylon cages.


Batting Cage Nets and Frames Packages Offer the Customer the best alternative when it comes to saving money and doing your own batting cage construction. CoachesBest.com has one of the internet's largest selctions of baseball pitching machines and batting cages.

Batting Cage Construction Tips - Help Make Your Construction Go Smoother

Batting Cage Construction Tips

Help Make Your Construction Go Smoother

Batting cage construction does not have to be a long drawn out, costly, and painful experience. Building a batting cage can be a relatively easy project with proper planning and the right equipment to do the project. With the right approach you can build your batting cage in 1/2 day. It may take longer if you install a cement floor but that would be the only thing that would cause the project to take days instead of hours. Here I offer 10 important tips that you should consider during the planning phase of your batting cage construction.
1. Draw a plan showing the size and dimensions of your cage in the chosen location. Do this to make sure that you have chosen the best location. Batting cage construction requires a level area at least 2 feet longer and wider that your batting cage net.
2. Make sure you consider the sun's angles, access to power, and ground drainage when you chose or prepare your area.
3. Make a materials list that includes every component of the net and cage you are installing including the net, frame pieces, and hardware. Also make a list of the tools and equipment that you will need to complete your batting cage construction.
4. If your chosen area is prone to be wet during certain times of the year, you should elevate your cage floor to make sure that your cage floor is well drained. You can use a cement floor or simply "frame" in an area and fill it with a couple inches of crushed stone, dirt, or clay.
5. Choose your frame system carefully. Make sure that the frame structure you build or construct is adequate to support the weight of your net.

Read this complete article...click here.

CoachesBest.com is one of the internet's largest online batting cage and pitching machine stores. Shop securely online or use out toll free customer service number, 1-877-431-4487, to call Bill or Trey for help and assistance!

How To Find A Good Pitching Machine?

by: Doug Mahopac

Pitching machines are a unique commodity that can work to address any problems you may be having inside the batting box. Whether you are a Little League star or a professional baseball champion, the benefits of using a quality pitching machine is numerous. However, the task of choosing a sound pitching machine are often overwhelming, as each machine has a different quality, attribute, and cost associated with the machinery. If you are in the market of choosing a good pitching machine for yourself or your baseball star, consider these pointers.

First, look to a pitching machine that is soundly build and uses quality materials. This will not only allow you to invest in a better quality machine, but also get the most use out of your pitching machine. If necessary, you may need to expand your budget in order to purchase a pitching machine that is able to hold up through standard wear and tear associated with practices. Even though you will be investing a greater amount of money in the beginning, you will save by not having to shell out cash for costly repairs or even replacement of the entire machine.

Next, look to a pitching machine with several options in regards to the style and speed of pitch. This is critical if you are purchasing the machine for a younger player who will need to expand his or her game in order to successfully take the faster pitches. Furthermore, the biggest complaint that coaches have the pitching machines is their ability to perfectly replicate a pitch each and every time. This replication allows the player the comfort of knowing exactly what type of pitch to expect, which is not the case when it comes to actual play or practicing against a human pitcher. By having a machine that can vary the speed, style, and location of the pitches, you will be able to better perform on the diamond.

Additionally, choose a machine that is built solid enough for your needs. Develop a budget and work to find options within your price range that are appropriate for your needs. A beginning baseball or softball player does not need a pitching machine that is found in commercial batting cages or in the equipment rooms of professional ball clubs. Furthermore, an advancing player may need a machine that can advance with his or her skills. Having a player practice with an inappropriate machine is often as detrimental as not practicing with a machine at all. Once you have established your needs and budget, begin looking on the market to find an appropriate pitching machine that meets all of your criteria.

Keep in mind that the purchase of a good quality pitching machine requires you to have an appropriate area in which to house the machine itself. Often, smaller years are prohibitive of the permanent installation of the pitching machine without also installing a batting cage. Consider looking to a portable machine that you can take with you during practices to ensure both the machine and the player has ample room to practice. Furthermore, safety is a huge concern when it comes to the purchase of a good quality pitching machine, so you should invest in the proper protective gear, namely a well constructed batting helmet.

When looking to purchase a pitching machine, consider your local sporting supply store. Often, the purchase of more professional machines requires you to turn to a store that specializes in softball or baseball merchandise or a catalog that sells directly to the general public. The World Wide Web is an excellent tool for both researching and purchasing high quality pitching machines, so consider this another option during your search.

About The Author
Doug Mahopac specializes in Sports Equipment http://www.pitching-machine-i.com and http://www.i-pitching-machine.com.

Albert pujols Sweet Spot Training BatThe Ultimate Batting Cage Bat

The hottest new training bat out there is the NEW SWEET SPOT TRAINING BAT endorsed and used by Albert Pujols!


The SKLZ® Sweet Spot® training youth baseball/fast pitch softball bat improves batters' ability to hit on the sweet spot for power and distance. With an all-wood barrel (2 1/4-in) and handle as well as a fiberglass rod, the bat provides instant feedback and "stings" if hit too far off.


The Sweet Spot is a must for any player that regularly hits in a batting cage. It save "wear and beatings" on your game bat, plus it makes the player learn to get the barrel through the zone and into the ball!

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All-wood barrel (2¼") and handle as well as a fiberglass rod

Instant feedback and "stings" if hit too far off

Albert Pujols Signature Series

CoachesBest.com sells the Sweet Spot Training Bat at a Great Price!

Batting Cage Know-How - Correcting Common Baseball Swing Mechanics Flaws Seen During Batting Cage Work

How to Correct Baseball Hitting Flaws is your guide to identifying and correcting baseball hitting flaws at every level of play inlcuding youth baseball, travel baseball, high school baseball, and college baseball.
We all know that coaching hitters involves many actions:
1. Careful analysis of the the present swing's quality.
2. Correction or elimination of incorrect mechanics.
3. Practicing the desired swing with correct execution repetitively.
4. Instilling patience, confidence and agressiveness.
The following are common mechanical errors that should be quickly identified and eliminated. There are many more and we will continually add more.
1. Improper Stance Width
2. "Wrapping" The Bat
3. Looking At Your Nose
4. Poor Grip
5. Overstriding
6. "Hitch" In The Swing
7. "Locking" The Front Arm
8. Opening Up Too Soon

1. IMPROPER STANCE WIDTH
PROBLEM: The batter's stance is to wide or too narrow. A stance too wide causes a loss of power and prevents hip involvement during the swing. A stance with the feet too close often causes the batter to stride too far or long. This causes the head and eyes to drop during the stride. This makes the hitters success ratio drop tremendously. It is hard enough to hit with a "quiet" head or with no movement. Overstriding makes it even more difficult to see the ball, identify the speed and type or pitch nand to hit the ball where it is pitched. SOLUTION: Have the batter assume a stance with the feet shoulder width apart. Have the batter take a short stride of no more than 6 inches. If the stance is slightly wider than the shoulders, simply picking the front foot straight up only an inch or two and putting it down may be all the stride the batter needs.
Hands Back Hitter - Teaches batters peoper swing and swing mechanics.

2. "Wrapping" The Bat
PROBLEM: The batter has the bad habit of "wrapping" or cocking the bat behind the head. The batter's bat speed is decreased becuase the batter now has to bring the bat farther to get to the ball. SOLUTION: The bat should be held at a 45 degree angle to vertical. Refer to the perfect swing page of this site for more details on proper bat angle.
Derek Jeter HURRICANE HITIING MACHINE, As Seen on TV! One of baseball's most popular trainers for home batting practice!

3. Looking At Your Nose
PROBLEM: The batter does not have the head turned far enough toward the pitcher. This prevents both eyes from picking up the ball and the batter has difficulty seeing the ball. The back eye is blocked from seeing the ball by the batter's nose, thus the batter is "looking at his nose". The batter is basically hitting "one eyed". This is another reason for batter failure. SOLUTION: The batter simply turns the head toward the pitcher until the batters face is facing the pitcher and both eyes are seeing the pitcher fully. A good saying often used is "show the pitcher both of your ears". This will always make sure the head is in the correct position.
Joe Mauer QUICK SWING Batting Aid- FREE SHIPPING

4. Poor Grip
PROBLEM: Improper grip reduces bat speed and bat control. Two simple grip mistakes cause this problem. The batter's hands are slowed by a grip that is too "tense" or too tight or the batter is gripping the bat with the palms rather than the fingers. SOLUTION: The batter should strive to stay loose with the hands. Effort should be made to reduce tensions and use a relaxed grip. Slight movement of the fingers may serve to keep the "grip stress" down. The batter should hold the bat in the fingers away from the palms. This grip allows maximum hand speed and bat control.
"Stayback Tee" - Teaches Proper Stride

5. Overstriding
PROBLEM: Overstriding is a common mistake. Batters that often get "jammed" may be in fact cuasing their own problems by overstriding. Overstriding causes the batter's head and eyes to drop often causing the batter to "loose" the ball during the swing. Tracking the ball visually is made very difficult. The batter's overstriding can also cause the swing to be long. A batter's wide feet that are too wide tend to prevent hip involvement during the swing. SOLUTION: Batters should use a short or a "no stride" approach. A short stride of 3 to 6 inches is often enough. In fact simply picking the front foot up and putting it back down is all the stride that is needed.
PRO TARGET® BASEBALL "Coaching Tool"Derek Jeter Series

6. "Hitch" In The Swing
Problem: Batters that have a "hitch" in their swing often have difficulty hitting the fastball. They often get "jammed" and are often late on medium speed pitches. The batter is not "triggering" correctly. The batter is dropping the hands before taking them to the "power position" or what is often called the "launch position". This lowering of the hands causes the batter to be late to the strike zone. SOLUTION: Take the hands slightly up and then back rather than dropping them.
Heater Monster Net & Scorpion Soft Toss Package

7. "Locking" The Front Arm
PROBLEM: The batter "locks" or straightens out the front arm when the hands and bat are taken back to the "power" or "trigger" position. This flaw causes the batter to be late starting the swing. It also cause the the bat speed to be too slow and increases the bat's distance to the ball. Locking the front arm also often causes premature wrist roll. SOLUTION: Keep a bend in the front elbow. Keep the hands together and working together. Keep the hands close to the body and do not take them back so far that front arm flex is lost.
XLR8 Speed Bat Hitting System

8. Opening Up Too Soon
PROBLEM: The front side is opening too soon causing the batter's "whole body" including head and eyes to pull off the pitch. This flaw often causes the barrel to lag and a reduction in bat speed. Much less plate coverage is allowed. Another result of dropping the hands is an increase in flyballs. SOLUTION: Have the batter strive to keep the "knob to belly button" relationship during the swing. The belly button rotates with the knob of the bat. On inside pitches the batter will still "open" but the timing will be perfect. On middle and away pitches the batter will not open or rotate so much. "The belly button to knob" relationship maintains correct timing mechanics.

The hitter's "backyard basketball goal" makes home batting practice as easy and convenient as shooting a "game of horse"! What could 25,000 more practice swings a year do for your game?Think about it!

Helpful Tips For Building Your Own Batting Cage at Home

Here are some Helpful Tips For Building Your Own Backyard Batting Cage at Home. You can build your own cage for less and save time and energy when you purchase a "complete package system" with net and frame included. Click the links below for more great buying tips and other valuable information.

Batting Cage Kits - “Build Your Backyard Batting Cage For Less"Batting Cage Kits are a great choice when it come to saving money on the installation of your own backyard batting cage. Batting Cage Frame kits come in various sizes and can fit any budget.
Batting Cage Frame Kit Assembly PhotosBatting Cage Frame Kit Assembly photos shown below illustrate how simple and easy it is to install your won homw batting cage using a Batting Cage Nets and Frame Kit.
Batting Cage Construction TipsBatting Cage Construction Tips offers helpful tips for people considering buidling their own batting cage.

Have a great day, Nick

Batting Cage Batting Practice Coaching Tip - "Count-Call Drill"

Batting Cage Hitting Drill
"Count Adjustment Drill"

Purpose: The drill is great for teaching young hitters to make adjustments in their approach at the plate based on the current count. Batters learn to be properly aggressive for the following counts or situations 0-0, 2-0, 0-2, 3-1, runner at 3rd with 1 or less outs, and hit-in-run.

Procedure: We have 5 batting cages at our facility. Batters are always hitting in all cages. In a normal situation, the players would be hitting every pitch that they can reach to a location based on the pitch's location. To change the approach, a coach calls a count such as 2-0. For the next two pitches, the batter will be properly aggressive as he would with that count in a game. Of course in this situation, the batter is looking for a pitch in that perfect spot. If the ball is at that anticipated location, the batter attacks, the ball. If the ball is not in that spot the batter will hold off the pitch and adjust to the new count of 2-1 or 3-0.

If the coach calls, "Runner at 3rd", the batter is looking for a pitch up to drive deep enough for a score or tag and score. The batter will try to lift the ball and drive a deep fly ball to the outfield. If the coach calls, Hit-n-Run, the batter will execute a hit-in-run approach at the plate.

I hope this drill description help you.
Good Luck til' next time, Nick

How to Improve Your Baseball Hitting Simply Thru Practice

Author: Jack Elliott

Much like everything in life, you get better at things the more times you do them. Baseball Hitting is no different. For this reason, the best baseball hitting advice anyone can give you is to practice your swing. Mickey Mantle was said to swing the bat at least 100 times a day right handed and then do the same left handed. Also, modern day players like Barry Bonds are said to swing the baseball bat 500-1000 times a day. If this strategy works for the pros, it can also work for you.

How to implement this Baseball Hitting

Strategy:

1. The best strategy is to divide up the swings throughout the day. After you get up in the morning, take 25 cuts batting from the right side and then take 25 cuts batting from the left side. (It does not matter if you are not interested in switch hitting, practicing swinging from both sides will allow you to develop your muscles more fully.
2. Depending on what your schedule will permit, you can either take another 25 cuts each from the left and right side at lunch or just after school gets out.
3. Then, take 25 cuts from each side right before or after dinner.
4. Finally, take 25 cuts from each side right before bedtime.Over time, you will see your strength grow and should develop a more natural swing. Also, as you get stronger you can increase the number of overall swings. This is an excellent Baseball Hitting Strategy to follow.

From here, you can incorporate this repetition principle into other aspects of your Baseball Hitting routine. For instance, if you do not already practice your swing by hitting off a tee, it is a good idea to acquire a basic hitting tee and a bucket of wiffle balls. The cost is minimal as these two items can be purchased for under $65, but the benefits to your Baseball Hitting can be quite large. A Hitting Tee affords you the opportunity to practice your baseball hitting of inside and outside pitches.

For example, if you have difficulty hitting outside pitches, you can set your self up away from the tee so to practice hitting outside pitches. Over time, you will see your skill improve because of the repetition principle. You want get into the habit of practicing your hitting 5-6 times a week. One caveat: as you start to increase your batting swing repetitions, you will begin to develop blisters and calluses on your hands. This may initially seem like a bad thing; however, these really are badges of honor. They show you are putting in the work on your swing.

There is an old expression in baseball hitting circles which says practice until the blisters bleed. Once you develop hardened calluses on your hands, you will be able to keep increasing your repetitions.Bottom line is do not let a lack of access to a batting cage prevent you from practicing your swing. It should not matter whether you have access to a batting cage or not. In the end, all you really need is a baseball bat and a strong desire to improve.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/baseball-articles/how-to-improve-your-baseball-hitting-simply-thru-practice-421141.html

Coaching Baseball Batters - 3 Common Baseball Swing Mistakes and Corrections

Coaching youth and high school baseball batters requires a watchful eye and close attention to detail. Baseball coaches must identify and correct any flaw in batting hitting mechanics. Players should not be allowed to practice their swing over and over without correcting their mistakes. Good baseball coaches are always on the constant lookout for any bad habits that a young player may develop. Here I discuss three of the most common hitting mechanical flaws and my approach to correcting each. Here are three common mistakes I often see at my baseball camps and when I observe youth games and youth practices.

1) BARRING THE FRONT ARM - The batter locks or stiffens the front arm as the swing begins. Many young batters will have assumed the correct stance and launch positions but have a tendency to tighten up as the swing begins. The barring of the front arm causes the swing to loop and to be too long. The batter has great difficulty taking the bat to the ball and making contact unless the ball is thrown exactly on the swing plane. The proper swing has a "short stroke" or path to the ball. The best way to correct barring of the front arm is to make sure that the batter keeps the front arm elbow bent or at an "L" position prior and during the swing.

2) STEPPING OUT OR PULLING OFF PITCHES - I often see this with young kids in our summer camp program. They always step out or their front side often flies open before the ball arrives. This batter has great difficulty making contact. Until this flaw is corrected, the batter will only become frustrated and embarrassed. To keep the front shoulder in the proper "closed" position, teach the batter to keep the front shoulder closed and directed at the second baseman for right-handed batters and toward the shortstop for left-handed batters. The stepping out is a more difficult flaw to fix. Having the batter pick the front heel off the ground and stepping just slightly toward the plate may help. I frown on putting obstructions behind the front foot to keep it from moving backward, although many coaches do this to stop this bad habit. I often use the "step in and hit: drill with a hit trainer, Bat Action Machine or batting tee. The batter assumes a position back away from the ball target that requires the batter to step toward the ball in order to make contact. If the batter does not step toward or into the ball, the batter will not be able to hit the ball.

3) UPPER CUT SWING - The upper cut swing may be caused by two things that are quickly identified Dropping the hands and back leg collapse can both cause the batter to swing upward. Make sure that the batter keeps the hands at the top of the strike zone and does not drop the hands or dip the back side shoulder during the swing. The back leg should be keep "tall or straight" to prevent back side dipping which can also cause an upper-cut swing. Two great drills that we use to stop this is the "Zone Circle" tee or soft-toss drill. We make a circle the side of our batting cage by inter-weaving a white or yellow rope in the net. The batter must hit or drive the ball off the tee or from a soft-toss into the circle. The batter must have a level swing and keep the front side in to be able to hit the zone.

COACHING POINT: Make sure that the batter is not over striding. This too can cause a batter to pop up. The batter must concentrate visually on the top half or middle of the ball to make good contact.
Make sure to visit the Coachesbest.com for all of your baseball training equipment, batting cages, pitching machine, and coaching video needs. The BatAction Self Trainer is one of the absolute best training aids for batters of all ages and ability levels. BattingcagesDirect.com has a great selection of batting cage nets and net with frame complete packages at discount prices.

Nick Dixon is the President and founder of Nedco Sports, CoachesBest.com, and Hit2win.com. He is also an active and full time high school baseball coach with over 20 years experience.

His expertise is in the area of baseball training, practice and skill development. Coach Dixon is better known as the inventor of several of baseball and softball's most popular training products such as the BatAction Hitting Machine, Hurricane Hitting Machine, HitnStik, Hit2win Trainer, ZipnHit, and the Strikeback Trainer.

Dixon's is also a writer for the BaseballCoachingDigest.com, Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, AmericanBaseballDirectory.com, and the Hit2win Baseball Coaches Monthly Newletter.