Not all home batting cages are the same. Learn the subtle differences between backyard batting cages that could make a big difference in how long they last.

Updated March 25, 2023

Boy, do we get a lot of phone calls about home batting cages! It's no wonder; we've got a ton of different batting cage options listed on our site and sorting through them all can be pretty overwhelming.

Just like trying to buy a pitching machine that suits your family's needs, choosing the the best batting cage to buy is not always an easy decision. Make the wrong decision, and you could end up plunking down even more of your hard earned money buying what you really need in the future.

More than one thing needs to be considered before you buy a batting cage. Hopefully, this 2023 batting cage buyer's guide will help you make the right decision and provide you with the perfect solution for your particular situation.

How Much Space Do You Have For A Batting Cage?

As much as we'd all like to set up a regulation distance batting cage in our back yards, a lot people don't have 60-70 feet of available lawn space. Because of that, many folks have to settle for a 30 ft. or 40 ft. batting cage.

Really, it's not a big deal. In fact, because a batter is that much closer to the machine, they have to react much quicker to get the bat around on a pitch. This allows people to use pitching machines that may only be able to throw 50-60 MPH and make it seem like that machine is throwing twice that fast.

To compute the "seems like" speed, simply divide regulation distance by the distance from the machine to the back of the plate and multiply by the speed. For example, regulation distance in adult baseball is 60.5 feet from the mound to the back of the plate. If your machine is 40 feet from the plate and you have it set to throw 60 MPH, 60.5 ÷ 40 x 60 = 90.75 MPH.

In addition to the actual cage's length, there are anchor ropes and stakes attached to the end of some non-permanent cages that help keep the cage stabilized. They typically are staked about six feet from each end. That means a 30 foot long cage really needs 42 feet of lawn.

Of course, length isn't the only thing you need to be concerned with when setting up a backyard batting cage. You also need to factor in a cage's width as well as its side anchor ropes. A cage might be 12 feet wide, but cages with anchor ropes that keep it secure typically extend an additional 5 feet on each side, meaning the width footprint in your yard is really going to need to be 22 feet.

Every type of cage is a little bit different in terms of if or where anchor ropes are needed, if at all. We include the downloadable instructions for setting up every batting cage sold on this website in a tab on each batting cage's page. Be sure to look those over before making your decision so that you know for sure that you have the space available on your lawn.

Where Will The Pitching Machine (or pitcher) Be?

Not only do you need to account for the amount of space in your yard for a batting cage, but you need to figure out where the pitching machine (or pitcher) is going to be. With most batting cage setups, you are going to need to protect the pitching machine or pitcher from getting hit with batted balls. If you are using a pitching machine inside of your cage, you'll need to buy a pitching machine screen. Better yet, buy an L-Screen and you can use it with a pitching machine or a live pitcher.

If you purchase a Heater pitching machine and batting cage combo, you won't have to worry about that. All Heater Sports batting cages have a small opening in the back of the net with a pitching machine harness that fastens onto a special harness on Heater Sports pitching machines. With that special harness, the pitching machine actually sits outside of the cage and is protected from line drives. Of course, that means that the pitching machine-batting cage setup will take up a few more feet with the machine sitting outside of the cage, but you won't have to purchase an L-Screen to protect the pitching machine like you should do with any other type of pitching machine/batting cage setup AND you'll be able to utilize more of the batting cage's length with the pitching machine not having to sit inside of it.

IMPORTANT: Only Heater Sports pitching machines can attach to the harness on the outside of their their PowerAlley or Xtender batting cages.

Please keep in mind that no matter which batting cage size you choose, the distance from the pitching machine to the back of the plate is always going to be less than the total length of the batting cage. A batter cannot possibly stand flush with the net. They are going to need to be at least 3 feet from it in order to take a backswing. Likewise, if the pitching machine is inside of the cage, it needs to be at least a foot or two from the cage netting. This is why you will frequently see people buy a 66-70 foot batting cage when they are trying to emulate the full 60.5 foot regulation distance to the plate.

Do You Want The Batting Cage To Be Permanent Or Temporary?

Portable or removable batting cages are great because they do not have to become a permanent structure on your lawn but they do have some major disadvantages - most of them weather-related. Winter weather is deadly to fiberglass cages and strong winds will take down any residential cage, whether it is made of steel or fiberglass. Wind and cold weather are never concerns with a permanent, commercial batting cage frame that is cemented to the ground.

If you want a temporary batting cage that is portable or one that you can easily put up or take down, you'll need to purchase a fiberglass batting cage or a residential steel frame cage. All Heater Sports batting cages are fiberglass and can be set up and removed in 15-20 minutes, once you get used to doing it. Residential steel frames usually take an hour or more to set up and take down.

It takes considerably longer to set up a permanent commercial batting cage because those are cemented into the ground. Figure on a commercial cage taking two days to set up - a day setting up the support poles and waiting for the cement to cure and another hour or two the next day for setting up the rest of the frame and net. Obviously, once it is set up, it becomes a permanent part of your yard!

What Is The Batting Cage Frame Made Out Of?

There are really three types of batting cages sold on this site. They are either entirely fiberglass, fiberglass with steel rods in the support frames or they have frames made entirely out of steel.

Fiberglass Batting Cage Frames

As you might imagine, cages that are made solely of fiberglass are the least durable of all batting cage frame types. They can break if hit with a powerful line drive and they do not hold up well in cold weather at all. If you leave a fiberglass cage up during the winter, you can expect that most, if not all, of the frame will become brittle and crack apart. Not only that, but even a moderate gust of wind can take an all-fiberglass net down.

On the plus side, nothing is easier to put up as a fiberglass frame. Insert one pole into the other, bend it into an arch, stick them in the ground and throw a net over it. This makes setting them up and taking them down a very quick and easy job. You don't even need any tools. And, of course, these are the least expensive type of batting cages, so if you are on a very tight budget, you may have to settle for a fiberglass-only cage.

Examples of all-fiberglass frames would be the Heater Home Run Batting Cage (which can only be used with lite balls) and the Heater PowerAlley Batting Cage.

Fiberglass With Steel Rods Batting Cage Frames

All of the downsides to fiberglass regarding wind and cold weather apply to this type of cage, too. Only a steel cage can endure cold weather.

At least the support poles are padded and have steel inside of them, so they can withstand a hard-hit ball without breaking. They, too, are a breeze to set up and take down, requiring no tools. Though they are slightly more expensive than all-fiberglass batting cage frames, they are still considerably less expensive than a steel frame.

The Heater Xtender 24 is a perfect example of a fiberglass reinforced with steel batting cage frame.

Steel Batting Cage Frames

No batting cage material is stronger than steel. It can withstand cold temperatures and hard-hit balls by even the most powerful hitters. Even moderate wind gusts can topple a steel cage, though - especially if you have not secured it to the ground with ground stakes. Unless you buy a commercial batting cage frame that you cement into the ground, you still need to remove a residential steel cage during high winds - even if it has ground stakes.

The extra durability of steel comes at a cost, though. They definitely cost 50-100% more than fiberglass cages. This is partly because steel costs more than fiberglass but it is also because steel weighs more, which means steel frame cages cost more to ship. You can defray a large portion of those costs by buying a steel batting cage kit instead of an everything-included complete steel batting cage, though.

Not only do they cost more in terms of money, they cost more in time. Steel frame batting cages are more difficult to set up and take down than a fiberglass batting cage. Tools are definitely required if you want a secure frame, but nothing other than a screwdriver, hammer and wrench - something practically everybody has in their toolbox. Just plan on it taking an hour or more to set up a residential steel batting cage frame, versus 15-20 minutes for a fiberglass frame. If you are setting up a permanent, commercial cage, count on it being a two day project.

Is It Better To Buy A Batting Cage Kit Or A Complete Batting Cage?

There are certainly advantages to buying a complete batting cage. Everything comes in the box(es), so you won't have to run off anywhere and buy additional components. You also know that there is no chance that you could accidentally buy the wrong thing in order to complete the construction.

If you are buying one of the fiberglass frame batting cages made by Heater Sports, it's no big deal; they don't offer kit versions of their cages. If you want to put up a more durable steel batting cage, there is definitely a decision to be made. Complete steel batting cages cost considerably more than steel frame batting cage kits - even after you factor in the extra steel conduit poles you'll have to purchase when you buy a kit. In fact, even after purchasing the poles from a local hardware store, you'll save somewhere from $100-$200 by buying a batting cage frame kit instead of a complete batting cage that includes all of the poles.

This is because of an often misunderstood concept regarding shipping. Despite what any website tells you (including this one), there is no such thing as "free" shipping. Somebody is paying for that. Either the website adds money to the cost of the product to compensate for the "free" shipping or the merchant absorbs the cost and makes less profit (usually, a little of both). I assure you that nobody has worked out a sweet deal with the shipping companies who appreciate their business so much, they are willing to ship things at no cost.

The cost of shipping a complete steel batting cage that includes all of the conduit support poles is expensive. Although this and many other sites include "free" shipping, sensible people realize that the shipping is baked into the price.

The Bottom Line: While it may seem more convenient, you'll pay several hundred dollars more buying a complete steel batting cage and you'll to have to figure out how to move what could be a 500 pound box hundreds of feet to where your cage will ultimately be assembled. You'll have to weigh for yourself (no pun intended) the benefits of having everything delivered to you versus making a run to the hardware store to pick up steel poles and the money you will save by making that trip.

NOTE: Cimarron Sports has recently set up a sweet deal with Home Depot. If you live within 50 miles of a Home Depot, when you purchase a Cimarron complete batting cage or frame and net, the steel conduit poles are delivered for free to you from the nearest Home Depot when you buy a Cimarron batting cage. This saves you time, effort and money!

What Are The Differences In Batting Cage Nets?

There are two basic types of twine used with most batting cage nets - nylon and polyethylene. While nylon nets with much less thickness are stronger than similar gauge polyethylene nets, nylon nets deteriorate much faster than poly nets do when used outdoor. A net that is on an outdoor batting cage that is exposed to wind, rain and sun will not last nearly as long a poly net will. For that reason, the majority of nets sold on this website are polyethylene nets.

Almost all residential batting cages these days come with #24 poly nets. While this netting twine weight is fine for home practice by one or two younger kids, the net can definitely wear out with line drives by older, more powerful hitters are using the cage - especially multiple hitters. #24 netting is known to get holes punched right through them when more powerful hitters hit line drives into them.

Not only that, but while #24 netting is resistant to rain, it is not as durable under heavier weather conditions like sleet and snow as heavier netting is. Although we recommend taking batting cage nets down during any type of inclement weather, we realize that is not always practical. Nets with heavier gauge twine simply endure the elements better than ones with thinner netting material.

Generally speaking, the following should be considered when looking at netting gauge:

  • #24 netting: Perfectly fine for residential batting cage use - especially for one or two players younger than the high school level. Able to withstand most weather conditions for 3-5 years.
  • #42 Standard netting: Heavy duty net made for heavy use by high schools and colleges. Made with 2.5 mm net twine, it is able to withstand most weather conditions for up to 5 years.
  • #45 Commercial netting: Heavy duty, pro-caliber, commercial netting commonly used in professional training facilities. Made with 2.7 mm net twine, it is able to withstand the most powerful line drives in all weather conditions for 5 or more years.

Do You Need A Complete Batting Cage Or Just A Frame Or Net?

This batting cage buyer's guide has assumed that you are starting from scratch. Of course, that is not always the case. Some people already have a batting cage frame and others have a net but are missing a frame (maybe they bought a cheap frame in the past). Others, still, want a specific weight net that doesn't come as a standard complete batting cage or frame kit, so they need to mix and match a frame with a more durable net.

No matter your needs, you can find just batting cage frames, just batting cage nets or the complete batting cages or batting cage kits that include the net and the frame here. If you require a special size that you don't see here, definitely give us a call. We can get pretty much any customized size net that you need!

How Much Does The Batting Cage Cost?

Although this is the first thing most people think of, we think you can see why there are other factors that you need to consider before making your decision solely based on price. Buying a cage that won't hold up to the elements, the number of players using it or the hitting abilities of those players will be a complete waste of money.

Below, we've arranged a table that takes in all of the things mentioned, above, and arranges all of our cages by price, lowest cost first. Please keep in mind that you will still need to buy the steel support poles for any "kit" that is listed. If you are still confused, please give us a call. We love helping people make the best batting cage choice for the money for their particular needs!

Batting Cage NameDimensionsMaterialNet Twine SizeTypePrice
Heater PowerAlley22 L x 12 W x 8 HFiberglass#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage$199.99
Heater Xtender 2424 L x 12 W x 10 HFiberglass w Steel Rods#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage$299.99
Heater Xtender 3030 L x 12 W x 10 HFiberglass w Steel Rods#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage$349.99
Heater Xtender 3636 L x 12 W x 10 HFiberglass w Steel Rods#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage$399.99
Cimarron 30' Residential Kit30 L x 12 W x 10 HSteel#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Cage Kit$549.00
Heater Xtender 4848 L x 12 W x 10 HFiberglass w Steel Rods#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage$599.99
Cimarron 40' Residential Kit40 L x 12 W x 10 HSteel#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Cage Kit$629.00
Heater Xtender 5454 L x 12 W x 10 HFiberglass w Steel Rods#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage$649.99
Heater Xtender 6060 L x 12 W x 10 HFiberglass w Steel Rods#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage$699.99
Cimarron 50' Residential Kit50 L x 12 W x 10 HSteel#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Cage Kit$769.00
Heater Xtender 6666 L x 12 W x 10 HFiberglass w Steel Rods#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage$749.99
Heater Xtender 7272 L x 12 W x 10 HFiberglass w Steel Rods#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage$799.99
Cimarron 60' Residential Kit60 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Cage Kit$809.00
Cimarron 55' Residential Kit55 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Cage Kit*$929.00
Cimarron 55' Residential Kit55 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Cage Kit*$959.00
Cimarron 70' Residential Kit70 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Cage Kit*$1,159.00
Cimarron 55' Residential Kit55 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#42 Standard Poly TwineTemporary - Cage Kit*$1,208.00
Cimarron 70' Residential Kit70 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Cage Kit*$1,239.00
Cimarron 55' Residential Kit55 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#45 Commercial Poly TwineTemporary - Cage Kit*$1,258.00
Cimarron 55' Residential Kit55 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#42 Standard Poly TwineTemporary - Cage Kit*$1,288.00
Cimarron 30' Residential Cage30 L x 12 W x 10 HSteel#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage$1,299.00
Cimarron 55' Residential Kit55 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#45 Commercial Poly TwineTemporary - Cage Kit*$1,338.00
Cimarron 55' Commercial Cage Kit55 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#24 Standard Poly TwinePermanent – Cage Kit*$1,358.00
Cimarron 70' Residential Kit70 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#42 Standard Poly TwineTemporary - Cage Kit*$1,378.00
Cimarron 55' Commercial Cage Kit55 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#24 Standard Poly TwinePermanent – Cage Kit*$1,398.00
JUGS Hit at Home Batting Cage50 L x 11 W x 11 HSteel191 lb NylonTemporary - Complete Cage$1,453.00
Cimarron 70' Residential Kit70 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#45 Commercial Poly TwineTemporary - Cage Kit*$1,458.00
Cimarron 70' Residential Kit70 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#42 Standard Poly TwineTemporary - Cage Kit*$1,448.00
Cimarron 55' Commercial Cage Kit55 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#42 Standard Poly TwinePermanent – Cage Kit*$1,548.00
Cimarron 70' Residential Kit70 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#45 Commercial Poly TwineTemporary - Cage Kit*$1,548.00
Cimarron 55' Commercial Cage Kit55 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#42 Standard Poly TwinePermanent – Cage Kit*$1,598.00
Cimarron 55' Commercial Cage Kit55 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#45 Commercial Poly TwinePermanent – Cage Kit*$1,598.00
Cimarron 55' Commercial Cage Kit55 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#45 Commercial Poly TwinePermanent – Cage Kit*$1,648.00
Cimarron 70' Commercial Cage Kit70 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#24 Standard Poly TwinePermanent – Cage Kit*$1,658.00
Cimarron 70' Commercial Cage Kit70 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#24 Standard Poly TwinePermanent – Cage Kit*$1,668.00
Cimarron 70' Commercial Cage Kit70 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#42 Standard Poly TwinePermanent – Cage Kit*$1,788.00
Cimarron 70' Commercial Cage Kit70 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#42 Standard Poly TwinePermanent – Cage Kit*$1,828.00
Cimarron 70' Commercial Cage Kit70 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#45 Commercial Poly TwinePermanent – Cage Kit*$1,868.00
Cimarron 70' Commercial Cage Kit70 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#45 Commercial Poly TwinePermanent – Cage Kit*$1,928.00
Cimarron 40' Residential Cage40 L x 12 W x 10 HSteel#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage$2,299.00
Cimarron 50' Residential Cage50 L x 12 W x 10 HSteel#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage$2,399.00
Cimarron 55' Residential Cage55 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage*$2,449.00
Cimarron 60' Residential Cage60 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage$2,499.00
Cimarron 55' Residential Cage55 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage*$2,499.00
Cimarron 55' Commercial Cage55 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#24 Poly TwinePermanent - Complete Cage*$2,538.00
Cimarron 55' Commercial Cage55 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#24 Poly TwinePermanent - Complete Cage*$2,578.00
Cimarron 70' Residential Cage70 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage*$2,699.00
Cimarron 55' Commercial Cage55 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#42 Standard Poly TwinePermanent - Complete Cage*$2,728.00
Cimarron 55' Commercial Cage55 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#42 Standard Poly TwinePermanent - Complete Cage*$2,778.00
Cimarron 55' Commercial Cage55 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#45 Commercial Poly TwinePermanent - Complete Cage*$2,778.00
Cimarron 70' Residential Cage70 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#24 Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage*$2,799.00
Cimarron 55' Residential Cage55 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#42 Standard Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage*$2,828.00
Cimarron 55' Commercial Cage55 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#45 Commercial Poly TwinePermanent - Complete Cage*$2,828.00
Cimarron 55' Residential Cage55 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#45 Commercial Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage*$2,878.00
Cimarron 55' Residential Cage55 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#42 Standard Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage*$2,978.00
Cimarron 70' Commercial Cage70 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#24 Poly TwinePermanent - Complete Cage*$2,998.00
Cimarron 70' Commercial Cage70 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#24 Poly TwinePermanent - Complete Cage*$3,008.00
Cimarron 55' Residential Cage55 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#45 Commercial Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage*$3,028.00
Cimarron 70' Commercial Cage70 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#42 Standard Poly TwinePermanent - Complete Cage*$3,128.00
Cimarron 70' Commercial Cage70 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#42 Standard Poly TwinePermanent - Complete Cage*$3,168.00
Cimarron 70' Commercial Cage70 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#45 Commercial Poly TwinePermanent - Complete Cage*$3,208.00
Cimarron 70' Commercial Cage70 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#45 Commercial Poly TwinePermanent - Complete Cage*$3,268.00
Cimarron 70' Residential Cage70 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#42 Standard Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage*$3,328.00
Cimarron 70' Residential Cage70 L x 12 W x 12 HSteel#45 Commercial Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage*$3,408.00
Cimarron 70' Residential Cage70 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#42 Standard Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage*$3,468.00
Cimarron 70' Residential Cage70 L x 14 W x 12 HSteel#45 Commercial Poly TwineTemporary - Complete Cage*$3,568.00

* This cage is available in various widths and/or net twine strengths. Price shown is for indicated width/net strength only.

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