Baseball and softball are popular sports in the DMV with a spot for your kid if ball sports are their thing. During the season, games and practices sharpen skills. During the summer, camps keep skills fresh. There are also batting cages with pitching machines that you can visit to practice on your own time.
The Scoop on Batting Cages
The most basic batting cage has a pitching machine and a place where the batter stands. Some facilities have simulations, metrics on the batter’s performance and other options available. Required equipment, age limits, hours and fees vary by location, so check before you go. You’re likely to find that:
- The cage itself has a backstop and fencing down the side to keep foul balls in check.
- A pitching machine “throws” the ball at a constant speed, so if it’s 60 mph, it will travel 60 mph whether you’re ten feet or 40 feet away. You can set the speed on the machine to approximate the speed of the pitches in the games you play.
- A batting helmet is a must, and most locations provide both the helmet and a selection of bats; bring your own, just in case.
- Most facilities with batting cages that are open to the public operate without reservations.
- Payment is often made with a token purchased at the facility. The number of pitches varies by location, with most facilities offering slight volume discounts.
- The rules for using the machine vary with the age of the batter. Some locations require a parent to accompany anyone under the age of 18, and some facilities have a lower age limit.
Where are the Batting Cages?
Regional
Dick’s Sporting Goods has Hittrax batting cages in select stores in the DMV. These can be rented for up to 60 minutes. Cage rental does not include a Bat Fitting Session and Report, although that service is offered. There are four simulations: Point Game, Team Game, Home Run Derby and Batting Practice. See the Hittrax page for a video and more info. You’ll find the batting cages in Virginia at Dulles Town Center and Fairfax Oaks Mall. In Maryland they’re at Washingtonian Center.
Virginia
NOVA has a number of options at parks and other facilities.
- Upton Hill Regional Park has three softball cages with slow and fast pitch speeds and three baseball cages with slow, medium and fast pitch speeds. The cages are available on a walk-up basis for individuals, but teams or groups can request a rental.
- Occoquan Regional Park has a baseball/softball batting cage. The pitching machine offers curveballs and other pitches. Cages are available on a walk-up basis. Ask about team rates.=
- Cameron Run Regional Park has batting cages for slow-pitch softball or baseball. Cages are available on a walk-up basis. You can also learn about team rates on their site.
- Dulles Golf Center & Sports Park has 13 batting cages with slow- or fast-pitch baseball and softball. Speeds range from 18-65 mph.
- Pure Performance in Fairfax has batting cages and instruction for individuals and teams. They also offer pitching lanes. Individuals should call 24 hours in advance.
- The St. James all-turf indoor Hitting House in Springfield has six baseball and softball pitching and hitting facilities with Hack Attach pitching machines. The batting cages are available to members as well as to the public on a walk-in basis. There is also Hittrax software available for performance metrics and analysis.
Maryland
- The Baseball Zone in Gaithersburg has five token-operated baseball cages for baseball and softball. They provide the helmets and bats. Hours and fees are on the site. They offer professional baseball instruction through year-round camps and clinics. They also offer instructional programs for teens as well as private and semi-private lessons about the fundamentals.
- On-Deck PG in Capitol Heights has batting cages available on a walk-up basis. There is a video pitching simulator that can pitch up to 200 balls without reloading, delivered to the batter in 1.5 minutes cycles of 10 balls. Reservations are available for groups.
DC
- DC Dynasty at Oglethrop Street, NW is an indoor baseball facility with cage rentals for members only. No walk-ins. Reservations only.
It takes a lot of skill to throw a consistent pitch. Stepping into a batting cage gives your kid multiple opportunities to swing for the fences!
