Just three miles off I-65 in Central Alabama sits a backyard batting cage in Pelham, AL that's become far more than a place to hit, it's a full backyard built by a youth coach who wanted somewhere his players, and the community, could gather. Daniel Dyson put real thought into this one, and it shows.

The cage

The cage is a roomy 70' x 14' x 12' outdoor setup anchored by an Iron Mike pitching machine that self-feeds up to 40 balls without reloading. Daniel prefers it because it mimics the arm motion of a real pitcher and is simple to adjust for speed and angle. The package includes multiple bats of various sizes, an L-screen, a turf hitting mat, 100 baseballs, a hitting tee, plyo baseballs, and SKLZ trainers (Hurricane, Hit-a-way, Zip-N-Hit). Sessions are $40/hour. The backyard also carries a long list of extras you can add on: a screened-in porch with smart TV and mini fridge, patio heaters, a fire pit, a 120-foot zip line, corn hole, spike ball, and more.

Who it's for

Daniel welcomes youth, high school, college, and pro-level players. It's built for team practices, private lessons, birthday parties, camps and clinics, pitching and infield work, and content filming, up to 12 guests, with softball machine capability too.

The host

"Born & raised in Pelham," Daniel says. "I love coaching youth baseball and helping kids learn the sport, build confidence, and develop a love for the game." More than that, he sees the cage as a chance to pass on the life lessons that matter, respect, teamwork, hustle. That heart is the reason this backyard exists.

Good to know

The setting is private, with parking around the perimeter of the property (up to 12 spots) and lighting, seating, and a sound system on site. Batting helmets are required but not provided, so bring your own. The one house rule: no pets. And as Daniel asks, leave it like you found it, or better.