There's a good story behind this backyard batting cage in Riverside, CA: Ron Cruz's family put it up with help from RobertAnthony (better known now as Coach Rac) during a break from the Nationals. He still uses it in the off-season, and now Ron has opened it up so other hitters can get quality reps in a real, well-built cage.

The cage

This is a roomy 70-foot outdoor cage, 13 feet wide and 10 feet tall, long enough to get a genuine feel for live distance rather than a cramped short cage. It comes with an L-screen and a batting tee, the essentials for soft toss and focused tee work. Sessions run $40/hour, and the cage comfortably holds up to eight guests, so it's easy to bring a couple of teammates or a parent to throw.

Who it's for

With its full 70-foot length and room for a small group, the cage suits solo hitters chasing extra reps, players and parents working together, and small groups sharing cage time. The tee and L-screen cover the fundamentals (front toss, tee work, and rounds off soft toss) so bring your bucket of balls and get to work. It's a straightforward, honest hitting space without the frills, and that's exactly the point.

The host

Ron keeps it warm and simple: "RobertAnthony helped us put up this cage when he was on break from the Nationals before he became recognized as Coach Rac! (He still uses it during the 'off season') Hoping you'll enjoy it!" It's a family cage with a real connection to the game (the kind of backyard where a big-leaguer still takes his cuts) and Ron clearly takes pride in sharing it with his community.

Good to know

It's an outdoor, uncovered cage, so plan around the weather. The host keeps a tidy rule set to protect the space: no cleats, no seeds, no food or gum, no smoking, no alcohol, no glass, and no loud music. Come ready to hit, treat the backyard with care, and you'll be welcome back.