Batting Cages
@teamfreak16 (43655)
Denver, Colorado
December 2, 2017 5:47pm CST
My girlfriend and I live about a half mile from a miniature golf course that also features batting cages. I was walking past earlier, so I took a picture and came home and did some digging around.
If you play or have played baseball or softball, it's possible that you might have practiced your hitting skills in a batting cage at some point. There are both indoor and outdoor cages. Batting cages feature pitching machines that can be set to anything from slow pitch softball to pro-level fastballs of 80-90 MPH baseballs. The cages are surrounded by netting that keep hit balls from escaping.
The first batting cage was invented in 1907 by Wellington Titus of Hopewell, New Jersey. An amateur catcher for the Hopewell Athletic Club, Titus grew tired of chasing down errant balls during batting practice, and developed a portable (that could also be permanent) cage. There was an immediate demand, and Titus quickly applied for a patent, after which he signed with the Spaulding company.
The first circular cages, which are mainly the type you now see at golf courses and the like, were first built in Southern California in the mid-1970's.
It is estimated that there are somewhere between 1200-1500 batting ranges, as they are called, in operation today.
And they are a blast!
Be sure to check out the sweet swing on this four year old kid in the video I've linked.
(Info verified by Wheelhouse; Automated Batting Cages)
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13 people like this
14 responses
@LovingMyBabies (85923)
• Valdosta, Georgia
3 Dec 17
I love batting cages! I did play softball in high school, loved it. =)
3 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85923)
• Valdosta, Georgia
3 Dec 17
@teamfreak16 I played center field. =)
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
3 Dec 17
What position? When I played baseball I played 3rd, 2nd, and left field.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
3 Dec 17
@LovingMyBabies - My arm wasn't quite strong enough for center.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
3 Dec 17
I saw cricket and bowling cages while I was reading up on these. I sometimes see guys practicing cricket on a softball field during bike rides.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Dec 17
@teamfreak16 Cricket is really popular in Australia.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
4 Dec 17
@JudyEv - They used to show Australian Rules Football here. I always had fun watching it.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
3 Dec 17
I have never been to the batting cages. In school, I would try to avoid batting. I am horrible at aiming.
2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
3 Dec 17
@teamfreak16 I always tried to hide. Nope not at all. =)
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
3 Dec 17
It sounds like you probably wouldn't enjoy it!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86829)
• United States
3 Dec 17
The now-defunct Putt Putt in Richmond, Indiana had batting cages as well as three courses. I’ll miss it (I loved going there and poking around the town for the music history there as much as playing in the tournaments). There’s a miniature golf course not too far from me that also has batting cages. It has a “for sale” sign in front of it. 
It’s not a Putt Putt but I don’t like to see miniature golf courses become parking lots (like the one in Southport...drove past it on the way to see Robbie a couple of weeks ago and they hadn’t even bothered to remove course three, it’s still sitting there, in the back of what’s now a used car lot!).
It’s not a Putt Putt but I don’t like to see miniature golf courses become parking lots (like the one in Southport...drove past it on the way to see Robbie a couple of weeks ago and they hadn’t even bothered to remove course three, it’s still sitting there, in the back of what’s now a used car lot!).2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
3 Dec 17
In the 80's, Manitou had a waterslide and putt putt course. It's now a defunct shrubbery yard. Sad.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
3 Dec 17
I can think of a few pros that could use some batting cage brushing up.
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
3 Dec 17
@teamfreak16 Bichette could hit a ton.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
3 Dec 17
@JohnRoberts - They said he was in there hitting 90mph heat one handed. Did it with both hands, too.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
3 Dec 17
An old roommate and his buddy once went to the batting cages and Dante Bichette was there going off.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
2 Dec 17
Wow impressive. He is heading for the big leagues.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
2 Dec 17
I know that my swing has never been that smooth.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
3 Dec 17
@teamfreak16 it is amazing and even more so at that age
1 person likes this
! I've seen batting cages, but have only been an onlooker from the outside.@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
4 Dec 17
You should venture in sometime!
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (77261)
• Philippines
2 Dec 17
That kid is impressive. I have not seen a batting cage in this town. We do have golf courses.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
3 Dec 17
I'm not sure how many we have here. I know of two, but I think there might be more.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
3 Dec 17
I played for a year or two in an over 50s league and it was a lot of fun.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
3 Dec 17
No, but it's good practice. I just use them for fun anymore.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
3 Dec 17
An interesting history for sure. I've never tried it, but looks like a great way to practice
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
3 Dec 17
It is. When I was playing softball, I always hit the batting cages before a game.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
4 Dec 17
@teamfreak16 Sounds like a good way to warm up
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8765)
• United States
3 Dec 17
It's so strange that I've only seen these on TV or in the movies. I can't believe there's not one near my town.
2 people like this
