- The function of batting cages is to be used by baseball players to improve their batting skills. A batter enters the batting cage with batting gear on and bat in hand, and a machine shoots balls toward the batter once he is ready to try and hit them. The batter can get better at hitting balls that are thrown to him during an actual baseball game in this way, and can also become better at controlling where the ball goes when he hits it.
- Batting cages will often be built in groups with multiple batting cages all next to one another. Nets or chain link fencing will often separate cages from the slots on either side of them. This helps keep the same amount of balls in each cage, and it can help protect people from being hit if the batting cages are not automated and people have to go retrieve balls themselves. Machines will always be set up on the opposite side of the batting cage from where batters enter the cage.
- There are three popular types of batting cages. One type of batting cage is the flat-floored non-automated batting cage. This batting cage requires workers or the batter to go retrieve the balls after they have finished hitting them. Another type of batting cage is the sloped automated batting cage, which uses a sloped floor to make sure the balls roll back down to the pitching machine after being hit. The last type of batting cage is the mechanical automated batting cage, which uses mechanical conveyors to return the balls to the pitching machines instead of gravity.
- One of the biggest obstacles to overcome when planning to put up new batting cages is finding room for their sheer size. A batting cage usually measures about 16 feet wide, 13 feet tall and 55 feet long. Plus, batting cages usually don't operate well if there is only one cage available to batters, so multiple cages usually have to be built next to each other making the space requirements even greater.
- Batters should never enter a batting cage without the appropriate protective gear on, especially a batter's helmet. Never grab on to the fence or put your face next to the fencing or netting when the cage next to you is in use, as balls can still inflict serious harm even with fencing or netting between you. Always make sure that the gate to enter and exit the batting cage is closed before beginning to bat, and never enter a batting cage while another batter is still batting.
