How to Open a Batting Cage Business

Last Updated: August 10, 2021

You want to learn to learn how to open a batting cage business if you're passionate about playing baseball or softball and love to communicate that passion to others. A batting cage business is an indoor or outdoor venue where kids, adults and athletes can work on hitting and pitching to improve their game. However, it's important to realize that running a profitable batting cage business takes entrepreneurial skills, investment and time

Steps

1
Investigate the demand for a baseball batting cage business in your area. For example, if there are lots of schools and young families in your neighborhood, you're more likely to attract customers than if senior citizens form the main demographic.^{[1]
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2
Find out which licenses and permits your city requires for sports businesses, as well as which health and safety regulations you need to comply with and what the insurance requirements for a batting cage business are.
- You will need a business registration and a sales tax license. Other licenses may be required depending on where you're located.
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3
Decide which services you want to offer at your batting cage business.^{[2]
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- Consider hitting and pitching clinics to draw in sports teams and companies for a few hours of team training.
- Offer one-on-one lessons for children and adults to improve their batting skills.
- Provide video analysis as a high-tech service that many athletes use to improve their techniques.
4
Determine what type of business entity you want to form.^{[3]
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- Look into a sole proprietorship if you're planning to hire personnel but be the sole owner of the business. A limited liability company or corporation may be better if you'll be working with 1 or more partners.
5
Develop a realistic business plan that lays out what your investment will be, what your projected earnings are and how you will conduct and market your business.
6
Obtain the necessary capital for your batting cage business. Find out if you can get a business loan from your bank or ask private investors to fund your business.
7
Find a location for your batting cage business.^{[4]
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- Make sure it's large enough to contain multiple batting cages as well as a reception area, dressing rooms, lounge and office.
- Choose a location that is easily accessible from major highways.
- Check with the municipality to find out if there are any zoning requirements that may prevent opening a batting cage business at the chosen location.
8
Buy equipment for your batting cage business.^{[5]
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- You'll need pitching machines, netting and materials to construct your fences.
- Buy helmets in a range of sizes, bats and balls for your customers to use or rent.
9
Interview instructors for your batting cage business. Hire applicants who are qualified to instruct children and adults.
10
Contact schools, boys' and girls' clubs, companies and other local organizations to advertise your batting cage business. In addition, advertise in local newspapers, on flyers and in other local publications.
11
Open your batting cage business.

Community Q&A

Question

What is the average cost to charge for using a pitching machine and batting cage?

Community Answer

Typical charge is around a dollar for ten balls.
Question

How big is a standard batting cage?

Community Answer

15 feet wide and 50-70 feet long, depending on the use for the cage. For example: a traditional open tunnel is 70 feet long to accommodate pitching lessons. A set ball feed, coin-operated rig is usually 46-50 feet from the hitter.