Hit a Home Run at These NYC Batting Cages

If your family is anything like mine, these batting cages in NYC will come in handy, because no season is as sacred as baseball season in our house. My son, who is serious about baseball, is always itching to get some real reps in, but there's only so much that can be tackled within the four walls of a cramped New York City apartment.

Luckily, the city has a slew of batting cages that welcome kids. Some even include private instruction and facilities where players can work on their fielding skills. You'll find more resources for sporty city kids in our NYC Kids' Guide to Sports Centers and Gyms, plus we've rounded up six Little League baseball drills easy enough to do at home.

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Be sure to click through to each venue's website for details on current operating hours and prices.

1. Artistic Stitch Sports Complex – Glendale, Queens

The brainchild of the embroidery, silk screen, and marketing firm of the same name, Artistic Stitch Sports Complex was born from the company's desire to give back to the community that helped build its business. Both baseball and softball tunnels are available for hourly rentals. The complex also hosts birthday parties. All reservations must be made online.

2. Asphalt Green – Upper East Side

The Upper East Side location of Asphalt Green has batting cages, a 45-foot outdoor batting cage with an L-screen, and a backstop available for rent. Call 212-369-8890, Ext. 2275 or email for availability and reservations.

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The Baseball Center offers a range of practice and hitting options for all abilities.

3. The Baseball Center – Upper West Side

We were wowed the first time we walked into this facility: The small, street-level storefront gives little clue to the baseball mecca below ground. Featuring several different cages, from the ProBatter simulator to four "Iron Mike" machines and one softball-only JUGS machine, The Baseball Center caters to hitters of all abilities, with pitching speeds ranging from 20-100mph. There's a half-hour minimum and reservations can be made via phone or email. The center also offers private lessons, camps, and offseason training.

4. Brooklyn Sluggers – Red Hook, Brooklyn

This new indoor sports and fitness facility is perfect for beginners and serious athletes. The locally owned spot features coin-operated batting cages, pitching tunnels, and a parent lounge. The Red Hook hotspot also hosts birthday parties and summer clinics.

5. Cage Baseball Incorporated – Middle Village, Queens

This women-owned facility has eight batting/pitching tunnels for rent by the half-hour or hour. Each can be equipped with a pitching machine, pitching mound, "L" screen, and practice tee. Another plus: The price is the same whether you're working out with one child or a whole team. Speaking of which, the facility can be reconfigured to create an infield practice area for a larger group. Reasonable prices make this a worthy destination for players from all five boroughs. Call 718-366-2122 to make a reservation. Pro tip: Because you must feed the pitching machines, arrive with at least two people.

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The Field House features four state-of-the-art batting cages. Photo courtesy of the Field House

6. The Field House at Chelsea Piers – Chelsea

This popular athletics complex features four batting cages. Its ProBatter Simulator employs the same technology as Major League Baseball clubs use, with a life-sized video pitcher hurling pitches of varying types, speeds, and locations. You can also switch-hit against the ProBatter. The remaining cages include two for right-handed batters and one for lefties. Multiple speeds are available. Cages can be rented in half-hour or hourly increments. Make reservations online. Walk-ins are accommodated on a space-available basis. Chelsea Piers also offers semester-long baseball classes for ages 3-12 and private lessons for all ages.

7. Five Star Academy – Midtown East

Little sluggers will get tons of practice at this baseball and softball facility. Five Star offers two full-length tunnels with state-of-the-art Hack Attack pitching machines that throw fastballs, curveballs, sliders, and change-ups at varying speeds. Individual and small-group lessons are available.

8. Grand Slam Batting Cages – Tremont, the Bronx

The first time I walked into this batting cage, I was sure we'd entered the wrong door. The lobby smelled of potpourri and was festooned with sparkly decorations—not your usual batting cage decor. But this spot shares space with a banquet hall of the same name. Hang a left at the top of the stairs and you'll find yourself in the batting cages, where you can work out with your team, or feed pitching machines with baseballs or softballs. Pitching tunnels are also available. Prices are reasonable, the workers are friendly, and there's a diverse crowd, from local Little Leaguers to grown men working out. The website is currently under construction so call 347-498-1102 for hours and information.

9. Primetime Baseball Complex – Long Island City, Queens

This Long Island City gem offers regulation cages and playing fields for more than a dozen sports. There's no website, so call 646-207-0707 for availability and hours.

10. Staten Island FunPark – Todt Hill, Staten Island

This outdoor facility has nine batting cages that pitch baseballs and softballs and run on a token system. If you have a very young player, choose the "lob pitch" machine that mimics the speed and arc of an underhanded pitch, allowing little ones to perfect their swings.

11. Turtle Cove Golf Center – Pelham, the Bronx

If you imagine batting cages in a suburban sense, with large, semi-circular outdoor areas draped with nets and centered around an army of pitching machines, this place fits the bill. The facility takes tokens and also offers half-hour and hourly rentals. Its location, within Pelham Bay Park, makes it difficult to get to without a car, but there is ample parking on-site. Since the cages are outdoors, availability is weather dependent and cages are usually closed during the winter.

Originally published in March 2015.