There are several styles of outdoor batting cages. Amusement Products has continually refined their designs to make the most attractive and cost effective cages available. The most common cage is the Center Pole design. This semi-circular cage uses a single large pole to create a circus tent looking batting cage. While attractive, we have learned that this style cage is subject to damage in high wind areas and areas with 6" snows or greater. Furthermore, with the cost of steel ever increasing, we looked for a way to reduce the construction costs without reducing the hitting experience. 

 

The end result is the Pup Tent style batting cages. Since the entire net can be lowered to the ground using the two wenches (one on each tall pole), the wind load and snow load damage can easily be avoided. Also, the shape is more open for the hitters for a better hitting experience. Since there are two poles lifting the net, the load is half as much on each pole. This design spreads the top out opening up the hitting space for a larger area to see the ball fly. When replacement time comes (between five and ten years depending on cage conditions), the Pup Tent design is easier to change. Lastly, the perimeter poles have been eliminated which reduces the initial cost

Pup Tent style Batting Cages

 

he end result is the Pup Tent style batting cages. Since the entire net can be lowered to the ground using the two wenches (one on each tall pole), the wind load and snow load damage can easily be avoided. Also, the shape is more open for the hitters for a better hitting experience. Since there are two poles lifting the net, the load is half as much on each pole. This design spreads the top out opening up the hitting space for a larger area to see the ball fly. When replacement time comes (between five and ten years depending on cage conditions), the Pup Tent design is easier to change. Lastly, the perimeter poles have been eliminated which reduces the initial cost. 

1. Indoor Modular Cages

 

 
All you need is a building to hold the number of cages you want and the cages are erected on a flat floor. No construction hassles! The Range Pro Modular cage is pre-manufactured by Amusement Products to give you an automated cage in the smallest space. Used indoors or out, the modular cage is the most compact automated cage and measures 16' wide x 13' tall x x 55' long. The Modular cage has a raised floor inside its steel frame that allows us to automate ball retrieval and distribution. It elevates the batter only 20" off the floor, making it the least elevated batter's station. The Modular cage is the most cost-effective indoor automated cage for locations consisting of two stations or less. It works well inside leased space since you do not have to alter the building as long as you can accommodate the dimensions listed above. Since it is the most compact automated cage, many of our customers choose it because it reduces the space they need to rent and gives them the high return per square foot. Lighting, balls, bats, helmets, tokens and having the power brought to the cages is all you have to add to the cages once they are set up on site. It takes five to seven working days to assemble the cages and open the business. Lead time for the cages is six to eight weeks.
 
2. The Free-Standing Indoor Cage
 
This style cage is for those wanting to get started with the lowest possible investment in an indoor operation. The space can be leased or purchased and is not going to change substantially from its original condition. The cage is enclosed with net by hanging the net from the ceiling or from cables. The floor is kept the same and thus the cage is not automated. The balls will have to be picked up, sorted, and put back in the machines manually. This increases your operational costs considerably but can reduce the initial cost by as much as 40% since you don't have to build a sloped floor.
 
3. The "Built-to-Fit" Indoor Cage
 
The "Built to Fit" Indoor cage. This is the most deluxe indoor batting cage. Whether in leased space or a newly constructed building, the Built to Fit cage is a fully automated cage and most closely resembles outdoor cages. By being fully automated, the cage requires much less labor to operate and usually pays for itself in the first couple of years. Like the outdoor cage, the floor is sloped to a single pick up point so a conveyor can pick them up and put them back into the machines automatically. In newly constructed buildings or buildings that you purchase, the floor is done in concrete. The stations are on the same grade as the rest of the floor. In retrofit buildings, the floor is excavated to accomplish. When this is not possible, the floor is built up using cinder blocks and the stations are approximately 30 inches higher than the existing floor. Amusement Products can provide designs for wood, concrete on grade and concrete above grade floors. Amusement Construction has built many of all three types of automated cages. For cages from three to four stations, the cost for the "Built to Fit" cages is about the same as Modular cages. For Five or more cages, the "Built to Fit" cages are less expensive. Unless the building dictates the stations are scattered around the building, the "Built to Fit" cages are a better hitting experience for your players and a more cost effective automated cage from three stations and up.