Right by Merced College in the Central Valley sits a backyard batting cage in Merced, CA a college athlete opened up so other players could use his family's cage, "come use our family cage" is the whole invitation, and it's a genuinely good one.

The cage

Dickey Fields is a 55-foot outdoor cage, 12 feet wide and 10 feet tall, with an L-screen, a hitting tee, and a pitching mound for bullpen work. There's a lot on site for a backyard setup: restroom access, lights for night sessions, a seating area for whoever's watching, on-site parking, and a sound system. It's a "GREAT batting cage set up," as the host puts it, and its location near Merced College makes it easy to find. Sessions are $45/hour.

Who it's for

It fits a solo hitter, a pitcher working the mound, or a small group of up to 6. Ry (a college athlete himself) also offers hitting, pitching, and fielding lessons on request, so players who want coaching alongside their reps can get real instruction from someone who's competing at a high level.

The host

Ry describes himself as a "college athlete looking to share my cage with baseball players, coaches, and parents." He calls it the "family cage," and that's how it feels, a genuinely nice, well-appointed setup he's clearly proud to open to the community rather than keep to himself.

Good to know

It's a well-appointed backyard cage located near Merced College, lit for evening use with a restroom, seating, sound system, and parking all on site. House rules are reasonable: no pets, seeds, glass, or smoking. If you want coaching, ask Ry about lessons when you book.

Book it, or list your own

Ready to hit? book Ry's cage here and reserve your time by the hour, or find a batting cage near you on CageList.

Have a cage of your own sitting empty between sessions? You can turn those quiet hours into income, list your cage on CageList and see what it could earn.

Thanks for being part of CageList, Ry.