When you think of batting cages, you probably envision big league sluggers taking cuts in some dimly lit, underground lair. But in spite of the stereotypes, there are several varieties of batting cages that can be utilized to improve your hitting skills. And the most important thing is to have a game plan! Setting goals is essential to getting better and staying motivated, even if you’re working on individual aspects of your game.
A retractable batting cage can be used for many different things, such as working on hitting fastballs or breaking balls consistently from both sides of home plate. It’s also great for improving launch angles or hitting off-speed pitches consistently. Whatever your batting cage goals are, here are some tips on how to use them for maximum effectiveness.
Find The Right Type Of Batting Cage For Your Skill Level
If you’re serious about improving your hitting skills and maximizing your time in the batting cage, you’ll want to invest in a quality machine. The first thing you need to consider is the type of pitching machine you’re going to use.
When it comes to batting cages, you have a few options at your disposal. The first is an open-air batting cage, which allows you to hit in any weather conditions. The second type of batting cage is a fully enclosed batting cage. These batting cages are great for those interested in hitting off various pitching machines.
While these units provide comfort and privacy, they are designed to use specific pitching machines. These machines are designed specifically for batting cage use, so they are more consistent than machines you might find at a batting cage or public park.
Finally, you can also use an indoor batting cage. While these units are great for winter months, they are designed to be used with a specific type of pitching machine. Like fully enclosed batting cages with sports netting, these machines are designed for batting cage use and provide a consistent level of pitching that is harder to obtain with machines outdoors.
Set Realistic Goals
When you set your goals, you want to be realistic.
If you’re a beginner, don’t go into the cage with the expectation that you’ll hit balls out of the park. Batting cages are great for helping you to master the fundamentals of hitting. So be sure to set goals that allow you to improve your game and get more consistent results.
If you have trouble setting goals, try to break down the skills you want to work on. For example, if you’re going to hit breaking balls outside, you may want to set goals such as taking ten swings per day against outside pitches.
Stay Firm With Your Eyes
Your eyes are one of the most important aspects of hitting but are also the most overlooked. Your eyes are always the first part of your body that detects a pitch, but you don’t know how hard or what type of pitch it is until your body moves. If you can stay firm with your eyes and not jump ahead, your results will improve significantly. In other words, keep your head still and don’t “guess” at pitches. If you’re looking for a particular angle, you’ll jump ahead and move too early, causing you to “guess” and miss out on other tips.
Hit Fastballs First
Once you’ve gotten inside the batting cage, you’ll want to start by hitting fastballs from both sides of the plate. While this seems like a simple concept, it’s often overlooked by hitters. The main reason you want to hit fastballs first is to get your feet and hands working together. Plus, it’s the most straightforward pitch to hit and will get your hands and eyes working together without worrying about velocity. Once you’re consistently getting solid contact against low-velocity pitches, you can move on to breaking balls.
Hit Breaking Balls Second
Now that you’ve gotten some work against fastballs, it’s time to move on to breaking balls. This is a more advanced skill that many beginning players overlook. When hitting against breaking balls, you want to focus on a few things. First, you want to make sure you’re not jumping ahead. And second, you want to ensure that you’re hitting the ball where it’s thrown. Once you’ve gotten good at hitting fastballs and breaking balls from both sides of the plate, you’ll want to start hitting the ball where it’s thrown.
Don’t Be Afraid To Swing And Miss.
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make in the batting cage is being afraid to swing and miss. You need to get comfortable with swinging and missing if you want to increase your launch angle. The only way to increase your launch angle is to put more balls in play, which means you have to accept that you’re going to miss a lot at first. Missing pitches is an essential part of hitting consistent home runs. The main goal of batting cages is to get consistent reps against various pitches. And one of the best ways to get consistent reps is to be comfortable swinging and missing.
Conclusion
Using a batting cage is one of the best ways to improve your hitting skills. A batting cage provides consistent pitching and allows you to practice your swing and adjust as needed. However, to get the most out of your time inside a batting cage, you must know how to use them effectively. The best way to use a batting cage is to start with low-velocity pitches and work your way up. You can start by hitting fastballs from both sides of the plate and then move on to breaking balls from both sides. Once inside the cage, you want to stay firm with your eyes, be comfortable swinging and missing, and ensure you’re hitting the ball where it’s thrown.
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