Every Ward Deserves a Batting Cage

Major League Baseball almost didn’t happen in 2022. Spring Training and Opening Day were delayed due to an owner-imposed lockout. Things looked dire for months. After months and months of delays, America’s pastime almost became a thing of the past.

But issues got resolved. Every Major League Baseball club will play their full schedule of 162 games in 2022.

Unlike professional athletes, I, a D.C. resident, will not be able to visit a local batting cage 162 times in 2022. Or 16 times. Or twice. Because there are zero old-school batting cages in Washington, D.C. None.

Before I proceed, I am not saying there aren’t things considered batting cages in D.C. 

The Nationals obviously have batting cages inside the park for players. But I am not a professional baseball player.

There’s a baseball training facility in the District, but it requires membership. And I am not a Little Leaguer trying to become a professional baseball player.

There are batting cages for coaches and Little Leaguers next to some public parks, the kind made of netting, with a short pitcher’s mound and a home plate. They’re wonderful places for kids to learn the fundamentals of hitting. But they’re not old school batting cages.

I am requesting the business owners of D.C. to invest in public batting cages that feature difficult-to-maintain machines that do not perform as advertised, well-worn, hard plastic balls and unforgiving metal fencing.

I want one in every ward.

I want a 24/7, 365-outdoor batting cage.

I want a batting cage in a bar. I want to get a free token with every beer.

I want a batting cage next to a Little League field.

I want a batting cage outside Nats Park.

I want a batting cage in a former coworking space.

I want a batting cage to take over an ax throwing bar.

I want a batting cage instead of another place to wager on professional sports. 

I want batting cages because hitting baseballs is a wonderful stress reliever. It’s good exercise. It requires patience and concentration. It’s as difficult or easy as you want. It does not require anything other than token money (helmets and bats are always provided).

Hitting in a batting cage is the most rewarding individual activity one can do while trapped in a cage. It’s a near religious experience for me and something I would like to share with as many people as possible. But unless I charter a bus to Prince George’s County, it seems like this will remain a wish. 

If the owners of Major League Baseball can come to their senses and make nice with the players to make a full baseball season in 2022 happen, why can’t some reasonable business owners take a swing on old-school batting cages in D.C.?

Probably because old school batting cages are cost-prohibitive due to space and insurance. Probably. Giving people weapons and alcohol probably increases insurance premiums. Probably.

Brandon Wetherbee