You spent real money building that backyard cage, and it gets used a few hours a week. The rest of the time it just sits there. There are families a few miles from you who would happily pay to hit in it — you just have no clean way to connect with them, collect payment, and not get burned by a no-show. That is exactly what CageList does. Here is how to turn an idle backyard cage into reliable income, on your schedule.
The short version
You list your cage for free, set your own price and hours, and players near you book and pay online. You keep your rate minus a small commission, and the money lands in your bank the next day after a session. CageList handles the payment, the calendar, and booking protection. You just approve requests and get paid.
Step 1: List your cage (free)
Start at the listing funnel and choose the backyard path. The wizard walks you through everything a hitter wants to know — your info, cage details, how it was built, amenities, your rules and the experience, pricing and availability, photos, and safety. It takes about ten minutes, and it costs nothing to list.
Step 2: Set your price and your rules
You are in control, the same way a Swimply host controls their pool. You decide your hourly rate, when the cage is open, and the house rules. Want it open only on weekends? Only to adults? Your call.
Step 3: Get paid the next day
Payouts run through Stripe, and money hits your account the day after a completed session. You keep your rate minus a 10% commission — so if you charge $50, that is what your pricing is built around, and the hitter sees the all-in price of $55. One thing hosts love: you can start taking booking requests before you finish payment setup. The cage can be live and collecting requests while you get your payout details squared away — the card only charges once you are set up.
Step 4: Run it from one dashboard
Everything lives in your host dashboard — bookings, calendar, earnings, payouts, promo codes, reviews, and safety. It is the most complete tool on CageList, built so you can manage a real side income without spreadsheets or group chats.
Why this beats renting informally
If you already let a few families use your cage for cash, you know the headaches: chasing payments, no-shows, awkward scheduling, no protection if something goes wrong. CageList removes all of that. Payment is guaranteed and handled up front, the calendar prevents double-booking, and you are put in front of players who are actively searching your zip code right now. Plus, there is a $25 referral bonus for both you and any host you bring on once they land their first booking.
Built the cage yourself?
If you are reading this because you are thinking about building a cage, start with our guide on how to build a batting cage at home — then come back here and let it pay for itself. Ready now? List your cage. New to CageList entirely? Here is the whole picture.
FAQ
How much can I make renting my backyard batting cage? It depends on your rate, hours, and demand in your area, but the model is simple: you set the price, keep it minus a 10% commission, and get paid per session.
Is it free to list my cage? Yes. Listing is free — CageList only takes a commission when you actually get a booking.
When do I get paid? The next day after a completed session, via Stripe.
Do I have to be available all the time? No. You set your own availability and can block off any time you want the cage to yourself.
What if a hitter damages my cage or does not show? Sessions are protected and payment is collected up front, so you are not left chasing money or eating a no-show.
