Batting cage

Abstract

Batting cages are disclosed relating to practice for games such as baseball and softball. The batting cages described may include a net enclosure, a pitching compartment, a hitting compartment, a first pitching screen separating the pitching compartment from the hitting compartment, a second pitching screen that may cover a portion of an opening in the first pitching screen; a second opening in the first pitching screen; and a guide that directs balls from the hitting compartment through the second opening toward a location in the pitching compartment. Uses of batting cages are also taught.

1 . A batting cage comprising:
 a. a frame;   b. a net enclosure;   c. a pitching compartment within the net enclosure;   d. a hitting compartment within the net enclosure;   e. a first pitching screen separating the pitching compartment from the hitting compartment;   f. a second pitching screen;   g. a first opening in the first pitching screen;   h. a second opening in the first pitching screen; and   i. a guide configured to direct balls passing from the hitting compartment through the second opening toward a ball discharge opening in the pitching compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The batting cage of  claim 1  wherein the second pitching screen is arranged and configured to partially cover the first opening. 
     
     
         3 . The batting cage of  claim 1  wherein the second pitching screen is arranged and configured to attach to the first pitching screen. 
     
     
         4 . The batting cage of  claim 1  wherein the second pitching screen overlaps the first pitching screen. 
     
     
         5 . The batting cage of  claim 1  wherein the guide is arranged and configured to direct balls downward toward a container. 
     
     
         6 . The batting cage of  claim 1  wherein the second opening is a throwing target for individuals in the hitting compartment. 
     
     
         7 . The batting cage of  claim 1  wherein balls thrown from the hitting compartment through the second opening collect at a first location in the pitching compartment. 
     
     
         8 . The batting cage of  claim 1  wherein the guide is a sleeve comprising netting material. 
     
     
         9 . The batting cage of  claim 1  wherein the frame is collapsible. 
     
     
         10 . The batting cage of  claim 1  wherein the frame is collapsible and wherein the frame, the net enclosure, and the first pitching screen are configured to be moved as a unit when the frame is collapsed. 
     
     
         11 . The batting cage of  claim 1  wherein the second pitching screen is arranged to cooperate with the first pitching screen to partially obscure the first opening in a way that provides an additional protection to pitchers and wherein the additional protection is equivalent for right-handed pitchers and left-handed pitchers. 
     
     
         12 . The batting cage of  claim 1  wherein the second pitching screen is adjustable to accommodate overhand and underhanded pitching by adjusting the height of the second pitching screen. 
     
     
         13 . The batting cage of  claim 1  wherein the frame is configured to collapse to a dimension smaller than a height of the frame when fully expanded. 
     
     
         14 . A batting cage comprising:
 a. a frame;   b. a net enclosure;   c. a pitching compartment within the net enclosure;   d. a hitting compartment within the net enclosure;   e. a first pitching screen separating the pitching compartment from the hitting compartment;   f. a second pitching screen; and   g. a first opening in the first pitching screen;   h. wherein the frame is collapsible and   i. wherein the frame, the net enclosure, and the first pitching screen are configured to be moved as a unit when the frame is collapsed.   
     
     
         15 . A method for facilitating hitting practice comprising:
 a. transporting a batting cage to a practice site wherein the batting cage is in collapsed form during the transporting;   b. expanding a frame of the batting cage and a net enclosure of the batting cage at the practice site thereby creating both a pitching compartment within the net enclosure and a hitting compartment within the net enclosure;   c. arranging a first pitching screen such that it separates the pitching compartment from the hitting compartment;   d. locking the frame in an expanded configuration;   e. arranging for pitching from the pitching compartment through a first opening in the first pitching screen to a batter in the hitting compartment; and   f. collapsing the frame after the pitching.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the batting cage collapses to a dimension smaller than a height of the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the frame, the net enclosure, and the first pitching screen are configured to be moved as a unit when the frame is collapsed. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein a second pitching screen is arranged to cooperate with the first pitching screen to partially obscure the first opening. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein a second pitching screen is arranged to cooperate with the first pitching screen to partially obscure the first opening in a way that provides an additional protection to pitchers and wherein the additional protection is equivalent for right-handed pitchers and left-handed pitchers.