This backyard batting cage in Canyon Lake, CA began as a grandfather's gift to his grandson, and grew into a fun, station-packed spot for any hitter to work on their game.

The cage

Measuring 60 feet long, 16 feet wide, and 12 feet tall, this outdoor cage is built around eight different individual stations for developing your hitting, a genuine variety of ways to work the swing rather than one lane and a single machine. There's a pitching machine in the mix, and the whole layout is designed so a session stays interesting and productive from start to finish. That kind of variety is unusual for a backyard setup, and it means you can target different parts of your game in a single visit. Sessions run $45/hour.

Who it's for

The range of stations makes this a great fit for players working on different pieces of their game, hitting, plus the coordination and skill work that support it. It suits a solo hitter cycling through drills, a young player being coached through the basics, or anyone who gets bored standing in one spot taking the same swing over and over.

The host

Mark built these cages for his grandson Dylan when Dylan was just five years old, and baseball has been "a huge part of my family" ever since, from coaching Dylan to watching the Dodgers with his wife. Dylan grew up to umpire alongside his grandfather, something they still enjoy together, and he may even be out in the backyard helping coach. That kind of history is exactly what a backyard cage can hold: two generations, one shared love of the game, and a place they're genuinely proud to open up to others.

Good to know

With eight stations to move through, there's always something to work on, and Mark's long involvement in the game means you may pick up some helpful insight while you're there. As a private backyard, it's a relaxed, welcoming place to train at your own pace, with the space to yourself.