My kids need to work on their hitting, but I don't have the time to drive 30 minutes to the nearest batting cage and back every day. I would rather spend the time and money to build a cage myself and throw BP to them. I could buy one for about $1500, but it seems like I could build one myself for a fraction of that cost. Any experience with this?

In HS, our team built one. We used metal pipe and chain link fence.

I have a neighbor that built one... you can see it in their backyard.

It can't be that hard. If I had boys that play baseball... and wanted one, I'd likely built it myself.

metal poles, nylon rope, and netting... Pretty simple.. don't even necessarily need to do it on concrete.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005OQJYUM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Stretched this between two trees in the back corner of our backyard. Kid loves it. Also popular for several other ball sports. Nice to not to chase balls down the alley or ask the neighbors for the ball back (again).

Is it just a one dimensional net or does it make a rectangular prism?

It's one dimensional.

Apologies - just reread your OP and realized that our arrangement wouldn't work for pitched BP. Couldn't see a need for a prism/batting cage arrangement when the intent was for him to stand close to the net and hit off a tee. If we ever get a pitching machine then we'll have to go to a nearby park.

We've had ours 10 yrs. Still in great shape. My advice would be to spend a little more on quality netting. Spent about $800.00 for a complete kit. Bought it online.

Dad built one when I was a kid.

metal pole frame, strung up old shrimp nets he picked up down on the docks.

We had grass ground in our cage, my dad would lift up net and mow the grass, much easier and cheaper

Must be young? Our son became a 0.900+ batter after a dad showed up on the elementary school playground on a daily bases (subliminal spelling error) and the kids played whiffle ball every day.

That reminds me, I need to thank that guy.

There are also some other great batting practice techniques that don't require a batting cage. Those yellow dimpled batting practice balls and those big heavy squishy batting practice balls. Neither one of these go far when hit.

There are many options, you can ask your local select team for an expert opinion.

I think these are the "big squishies":
http://www.totalcontrolsports.com/



[This message has been edited by HECUBUS (edited 8/29/2014 9:13a).]