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Field notes

The batting cage playbook

Field notes on building cages, finding cage time, and doing youth baseball right.

The pillar

Build a batting cage

Every decision in order, from “will it fit” to “it’s earning”. The part of a cage build nobody else has written down end to end.

All build guides
  1. Space & costWhat it costs, what fits, permits and HOA.
  2. FramePortable vs permanent, poles, slope, anchors.
  3. Netting#21, #36 or #42 — and what fails first where you live.
  4. SurfaceTurf, mats, drainage, mound and plate work.
  5. Lights & machineEvening reps, L-screens, machine selection.
  6. Rent it outSelf-entry, pricing, and what it actually earns.

Latest Guides

Training & Hitting

Young hitter practicing off a batting tee into a PowerNet.
Training & Hitting

Practicing Hitting at Home Between Cage Sessions

You can not book a cage every day, but you can still get quality swings at home. Here is how to build a simple at-home hitting routine between rentals.

Updated July 20264 min read
Indoor batting cage with turf, netting, tee, helmet, glove, and bucket of baseballs.
Training & Hitting

How to Run a Hustle Ball Class: Coach Pitch, Close Games, Teachable Moments

A coach's how-to for Hustle Ball™ — manage pace with coach pitch, keep games close, rotate positions, and teach without killing the energy.

Updated September 20267 min read
Indoor batting cage with turf, netting, tee, helmet, glove, and bucket of baseballs.
Training & Hitting

Hustle Ball: Why One Practice a Week Should Feel Like a Real Game

MADE Baseball's Hustle Ball™ — coach-pitch live play that keeps kids loving the game. Why one weekly practice should feel like a real game, not only drills or tournaments.

Updated September 20267 min read
Indoor batting cage with turf, netting, tee, helmet, glove, and bucket of baseballs.
Training & Hitting

How I Built a Full-Time Baseball Business on Private Lessons — And How Coaches Use CageList for Cage Time

Coach Isaac (MADE Baseball) on building a full-time lesson business without leasing a facility — and how independent coaches use CageList for reliable cage access.

Updated September 20268 min read
Empty batting cage with a pitching machine and target zones, staged balls in buckets.
Training & Hitting

What Does a New Coach Need for a First Practice?

The six-thing checklist a first-time coach actually needs — most of it fits in one bucket — plus how to run a fun, organized 60-minute practice.

Updated August 20265 min read
Coach Isaac Hess with two youth baseball players at a MADE Baseball field session
Training & Hitting

Cosmic Baseball vs. Banana Ball: What Is Changing Youth Baseball Training?

The new entertainment wave is not just for fans. It is changing how coaches think about practice, motivation, reps, and cage time.

Updated July 20267 min read
Empty batting cage with a pitching machine and target zones on the net.
Training & Hitting

How to Hit a Changeup and Offspeed Pitches

Hitting changeups starts with fastball readiness, balanced timing, pitch recognition, and cage drills that mix speeds.

Updated July 20265 min read
Empty batting cage with a bucket of balls, cones, and a notebook for practice planning.
Training & Hitting

How Many Swings Should You Take Per Session?

The best batting practice swing count depends on age, intensity, goals, and how long the hitter can maintain quality.

Updated July 20265 min read
A clean facility counter with a blank calendar, baseball gear, and an empty cage lane in the background.
Training & Hitting

Building a Year-Round Hitting Plan

A year-round hitting plan changes by season so players can build skill, sharpen timing, maintain feel, and recover.

Updated July 20265 min read
Covered batting cage with turf, netting, and equipment organized nearby.
Training & Hitting

Building Confidence at the Plate

Confidence at the plate comes from controllable goals, pressure practice, and a reset routine hitters can trust.

Updated July 20265 min read
Empty batting cage with a pitching machine, target net, and a bucket of yellow softballs.
Training & Hitting

Baseball vs. Softball Hitting: Key Differences

Baseball and softball swings share fundamentals, but pitch plane, timing, and cage setup change how players should train.

Updated July 20265 min read
A baseball training setup with a bucket of balls, a stopwatch, and a notebook in an empty cage.
Training & Hitting

How to Hit to the Opposite Field

Opposite-field hitting helps players cover away pitches, stay on offspeed, and become harder to defend.

Updated July 20265 min read