This backyard batting cage in Vancouver, WA started as a family project and turned into something Grant Bennett is genuinely proud to share, a pro-standard cage built for his two baseball-loving boys, with a little pellet-smoked jerky on the side.

The cage

Built to professional dimensions, the cage runs 12 by 12 by 70 feet on a turf field over a rock-and-sand base, no concrete. It's loaded with gear: a Bata 1 pitching machine with 48 machine balls, 100-plus regulation baseballs, a Tanner batting tee, an L-screen, a 9-pocket throwing net, a full-size pitching mound, and a soft-toss station. Rates are $20/hour on weekdays and $25 on weekends, with weekly and monthly packages available on request.

Who it's for

Grant lists it for youth through professional players, set up for individual hitting sessions, small groups, private lessons, and even birthday parties. Between the machine, the mound, and the throwing net, it handles hitting, pitching, and fielding drills, a real all-around space for a young player working on mechanics.

The host

Grant is open about the journey: "I started this project about a year ago and quickly realized how much goes into building a professional-grade batting cage. With two boys who love baseball, I wanted to create a space that would keep them practicing, improving, and having fun right in our own backyard." What began as a family build became something the Bennetts (Grant, Rachel, and the boys) are excited to open up to their community.

Good to know

It's a very private, outdoor, uncovered cage in a residential setting. Park in the driveway closest to the cage or on the side of the street. House rules are thorough: no alcohol, no smoking, no gum, no cleats, no team practices, no glass, no seeds, no pets, no loud music. And yes, the jerky is real.