The cage itself matters. But what keeps customers coming back is the experience around the cage — how easy it was to find, how clear the instructions were, how well everything worked, and how they felt when they left.
Here is how to build a rental experience that generates five-star reviews and repeat bookings without being there in person for every session.
Before the Session: Set Clear Expectations
Most bad experiences start before the customer even arrives. They could not find the entrance, the gate code did not work, or they were not sure if they could bring their own balls.
Send a booking confirmation message that answers these questions before they have to ask:
- Exact address and where to park
- Access instructions (gate code, door code, which entrance)
- What equipment is provided vs. what to bring
- Pitching machine settings and how to operate it
- Any cage rules (no metal cleats, max headcount, etc.)
- Who to contact if something does not work
A clear pre-arrival message eliminates 80% of the friction that causes bad reviews. CageList sends automated booking confirmations — supplement these with a personal message that includes the details specific to your location.
During the Session: Things That Should Just Work
Your cage should be set up and ready when the customer arrives. That means:
- Pitching machine loaded, aimed, and set to a sensible starting speed
- Bucket of balls topped off (or clear instructions on where spare balls are)
- Any lighting turned on and functional
- Space clean — no previous customer's equipment lying around
If something breaks mid-session, make it easy to reach you. A posted sign with a phone number is old-fashioned but effective. Most customers do not expect perfection — they expect a response when something goes wrong.
Build a Simple Cage Welcome Guide
A laminated one-page guide posted at eye level inside the cage pays for itself in saved customer questions. Include:
- How to adjust pitching machine speed
- How to reset the ball return (or how to reload the feeder)
- What to do with equipment when done
- Emergency contact info
- A simple do-not-do list (no tobacco, no glass containers, etc.)
Customers who feel informed feel respected. A little preparation on your end saves them frustration and saves you support messages.
After the Session: The Follow-Up
Send a follow-up message within 24 hours. Keep it short: "Hope the session was great — let me know if anything needs attention." This single habit catches problems before they become reviews, turns satisfied customers into repeat customers, and occasionally generates unprompted positive feedback.
If a customer mentions a problem, address it immediately. Offer a small credit on their next booking, fix what was broken, and follow up to confirm. Customers who had a problem handled well are often more loyal than customers who had a perfect experience from the start.
Ask for Reviews Thoughtfully
After a great session, a simple "if you have 60 seconds, a review on CageList really helps us out" works. Say it in your follow-up message, not as a generic copy-paste. Reviews build your listing visibility and social proof for new customers — they compound over time.
CageList handles booking, payment, and review collection so you can focus on delivering a great experience.
List your batting cageFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be present during guest sessions?
No — most CageList hosts run fully unattended sessions using smart locks or keypad entry. Clear instructions and a responsive phone number are enough for the vast majority of sessions.
How do I handle guests who damage the cage?
Document the damage with photos before the next guest arrives. CageList has a resolution process for damage disputes. Clear cage rules in your listing also establish expectations upfront that make resolution easier.
What if a guest runs significantly over their booking time?
This is rare but happens. A posted checkout reminder in the cage ("Your session ends at [time] — thank you!") prevents most overruns. If it becomes a pattern with a specific customer, address it directly or set a hard cutoff in your booking terms.
