A batting cage can be a practical piece of sports equipment for baseball players. After all, they get to practice their batting skills outside of practice and games. But, with balls flying out of the machine at speeds up to 90 mph, many precautions need to be taken when using a batting cage.

After a fatal accident in a batting cage at a high school in the Grapevine-Colleyville school district in Grand Prairie, Texas, wearing helmets in most batting cages has become mandatory to prevent serious and fatal injuries. A student was struck in the head by a baseball in a batting cage during practice and died two days later. Although some have called it a freak accident – because not all baseball players wear helmets, like the second baseman – wearing helmets has become more enforced since the accident. However, when baseball players are hitting balls outside of a batting cage, such as during a soft-toss batting practice, a helmet is more of a hindrance than helpful.

Aside from being hit directly in the head with a ball in a batting cage is the fact that a ball can bounce off one of the poles in the cage and hit the player in the side or back of his head.

To use a batting cage to the fullest, safest extent, take all safety precautions. Aside from a helmet, this includes having only one person in the cage at one time, no switch hitting during the game, and wearing regular shoes instead of cleats. In addition, when using a batting cage, make sure to keep it in shape, including replacing the netting if it has any holes.

BASEBALL BATTING CAGE