I saw a backyard batting cage that looks cool, and my kids are obsessed with baseball. But the cage is 12'x12'x24'. I like that it would fit well in our yard, but I worry that it isn't long enough to be practical. Any thoughts?

FYI, I saw a pitching machine that throws lite-balls (1/3 the weight of a baseball) at 10-45 mph. That might allow the kids (and adults!) enough time to react. But would that be a useful practice tool?

Thanks!

As a former highschool coach I would say that this system seems perfect. I would definately empahsize drills to help perfect the swing and then do the machine later. The only problem with the pitching machine is the fact that it throws straight and to the same spot repeatedly. So if they are old enough to pitch to each other I would go for that. Just make suer you get a 'L' screen to protect the pitcher. You can get a good screen for 150 bucks. Hope this helps.

Luckee.

Yeah, I've wanted a backyard batting cage. Too expensive to go to the public one (like $20 for a few pitches).

If it's just for kids that's probabl sufficient space.

The most important thing for your kids to work on is their mechanics more than anything. As long as they do that, the distance they hit the ball will translate once they get onto an actual field. The batting cage is a great idea because it allows to practice whenever they want or whenever you as a mom let them :) I wouldn't get them a pitching machine because they might just want to hit the ball without perfecting their swing and could develop lousy batting habits. I wish I would've had a batting cage when I played.

it would not be an effective cage for simulating actual game situations...the length would definitely hinder b/c u cannot throw from the correct distance.....you could set the speed up so that the reaction time is the same but it doesn't always translate...b/c 40mph is still only 40mph....it is a huge difference from 80mph....so 40mph from 20 ft away is not the same as 80mph from 60...but if ur kids are young it would definitley help them just to get used to hitting a ball...

and if ur kids are older and you know the right drills a cage would be perfect to practice mechanics and soft toss and tee work and drills of that nature that would allow them to swing a real bat and hit a real ball into a net....in my HS days it definitely would have benefited me