Our AirCage Retractable Batting Cages allow for quick transformation of your space. The Aircage transforms from batting cage practice mode to storage mode within a few minutes. Please be advised that not all batting cages are created equal, so pay close attention to the details when shopping.

See pictures, watch videos, and get the ball rolling on your Retractable Batting Cage project here or continue learning below.

Top 5 Questions to ask when shopping for Retractable Batting Cages

1) How high will the cage retract in the air?

The retractable AirCage raises within approximately 18″ of your lowest ceiling point. If your batting cage is 70’L x 14’W, and your beams are at 25’H but you have a light within the batting cage 70×14 “footprint” that hangs down to 20’H, your cage will retract to about 18 – 19 ft high on a flat plane.

Many other companies selling retractable batting cages offer a cheaper style that will only raise the cage to within 3 – 4 ft of your lowest point. If maximum elevation is a concern, the AirCage is the answer.

2) What is the design of the batting cage frame?

The AirCage retractable frame is designed with a complete “box grid.” The box grid includes longitudinal rails to connect the top cross-bars. Inferior retractable cage styles simply include a single center longitudinal rail connecting the cross-bars. This results in wobble during operation and more sag in the netting.

3) What is the quality of the batting cage net?

The gauge of the batting cage net is one of the biggest keys to a long life-span for your retractable batting cage. There are a wide range of material types, greatly ranging in quality & price. Be cautious when comparing the “# gauge” of netting. We recommend a minimum of #36 gauge for high-school use and #60 for commercial / pro use.

Also pay attention to the batting cage net features, such as a baffle impact net and door-way. Our standard size cage nets ship with both of these key features. A baffle net is critical for maximum life-span, and a properly installed door is important for access & safety.

4) What type of electric winch is used – how long will it take to raise to the ceiling?

The AirCage single-lane electric batting cage uses a 3/4 HP winch, and tandems typically use 1 – 1.5 HP. Many of our winches are “variable frequency drives.” This means they begin with slow revolutions and gradually increase the speed. This  reduces the wear on the winch motor, and also increases acceleration.

Inferior winches without a VFD will operate much slower and the gears tend to wear out sooner. After over 12 years of building AirCages and over 500 in operation throughout the US, we have only had 2 winches require maintenance due to defective parts, which were promptly replaced.

The size of the winch drum and torque can also greatly affect the winch “hoist speed.” Don’t be fooled into believing that all winches are created equal. We have replaced competitor’s winches that took over 5 minutes for the batting cage to retract to the ceiling. Imagine yourself standing at the wall turning a key for 5 consecutive minutes! Not an efficient way to spend practice time.

5) What else might I need to buy – Is on-site fabrication required for the cage to work with my ceiling?

The AirCage ships pre-packaged with all of the essentials to get your cage off the ground. We don’t upsell a la carte items to make our initial price appear lower just to get an order. The only additional items some customers may wish to add are a remote control system, and netting accessories.

All of our AirCages (unless basic parts are requested) are customized to fit each facility. Any company that doesn’t request facility specs & pictures will be sending you a generic box of parts. This results in shortages or overages. Either way, you just overpaid or underestimated the cost for a complete batting cage.

We consider these tactics dishonest. No one wants to spend several weeks attempting to adapt parts to their ceiling. This creates massive headaches but also potential safety hazards. Our expert fabricators will assess your facility via photos and analyze your specs to custom fabricate brackets & supporting steel to help you safely & efficiently install your retractable batting cage.

Electric Retractable Batting Cage Key Features

• Attachment points: All of our attachment points use Grade-5 fasteners with vibration proof locking nuts.
• Brackets: We always offer “no drill” brackets whenever possible to help maintain the structural integrity of your building.
• Remote or key-switch: . The Remote system will eliminate the need for electrical conduit and may be a cheaper solution.

We hope this retractable batting cage guide has been eye-opening and educational. We covered the most important things to look for when shopping for your indoor batting cage.

All of these areas greatly affect the price, performance, and safety of your cage.

When comparison shopping, be sure to ask all of the key 5 questions to ensure you are receiving a true “apples to apples” price comparison.

Remember that we are proud to offer competitive pricing for the same items. If you receive a lower quote for an indoor retractable batting cage, just send it over and we will beat it!

See pictures, watch videos, and get the ball rolling on your Retractable Batting Cage project here.