Warm weather, hot dogs, barbecues and filled bars...this could only mean one thing: it’s baseball season. With the official start of the season set to begin March 31, baseball is all around us. Of course, with baseball fever at its peak, everyone is geared up to buy Dodgers tickets for a game. Well, with the economy in the state it’s in, who can go to every game? Not to worry – gather the family up, and head to the batting cages! 

Baseball Central
5746 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles 90019
Price: $12 for 15 mins; $32 for one hour
labaseballcentral.com
As in its name, Baseball Central (BC) is centrally located between USC and UCLA off Venice Boulevard. The facility sports two cages with pitching machines along with three training cages for pitching and private instruction. The cages are time reserved, so it is highly recommended that you call in advance before heading over there. In addition, customers have a choice of using rubber balls or paying an extra $5 for hard balls. BC sports a cool vibe for customers who can take batting practice and instruction and then kick back in the rec room to watch sports on a wide screen TV, or read and talk baseball. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating to all customers, from the casual player to the serious-minded baseball player.

The Batcade
220 N. Victory Blvd., Burbank 91502
Price: $3 for 25 pitches; $12 for 15 mins; $20 for 30 mins; $35 for 60 mins
batcade.com
A perfect fit for a baseball aficionado, The Batcade has a more modern and serious baseball ambiance to it. It is open no matter what the weather is like; however, it closes at 10 p.m. But if you need to get in a few hours of practice before the big game, and you plan on eating, The Batcade is perfect. They allow food to be delivered to the cages! Oh, and if you need a break, it also has pool table and games, making it a good choice for a baseball-themed party. Just make reservations because during peak times, The Batcade can get a bit packed.

Rex’s Baseball Batting Cage
11723 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles 90047
Price: $8 for 15 mins; $13 for 30 mins; $24 for 60 mins
rexsbaseball.com
Established in 1978, Rex’s is a batting cage favorite with a mom-and-pop feel to it. Completely accessible to a beginner or pro they offer any type of ball and cage. Plus, rentals are available, and bats are only 50 cents! They also offer a rare 90 MPH cage for the pro athlete in you. Rex’s is a true bargain at great prices, but they close at 9 p.m. daily and 7 p.m. on Sundays, so this is not a late-night spot. One last tip: Rex’s is cash-only, and they do not accept bills over $20, so make sure you plan a trip to the ATM before you head over.

Castle Batting Cage
4989 Sepulveda Blvd., Sherman Oaks 91403
Price: $3 for 25 pitches; $30 for 1/2 hour; $52 for one hour
castlebattingcages.com
If you could guess by the name, the style of this batting cage is medieval, making it perfect for a date night or to bring kids; however, kids must be at least 8 years old. They offer a range of pitches and speeds accommodating to your level. They are open fairly late – 11 p.m. on weekdays, midnight on weekends. However, the cages are outdoors, so if it were raining, I wouldn’t count on them being open.

On Deck
7675 San Fernando Road, Burbank  91505
Prices: 25 pitches for $3.50, $28 for 30 mins; $46 for 60 mins
on-deckbaseball.com
This indoor batting cage is perfect a serious athlete or for the average baseball fanatic looking for fun. It’s equipped with an arcade party room, but it also offers clinics, camps and training programs. On Deck will help create the next pro athlete. Past staff members included players from the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants! What a bargain for professional training.

World Series Batting Cages Inc.
11155 Woodley Ave., Granada Hills 91344
Prices: $2.50 for 22 pitches; 15 mins for $13.00
worldseriesbattingcages.com
This place has a great value for batting cages, the prices are reasonable and they offer a variety of speeds as well as softballs and baseballs. They are open until 10 p.m. and are usually not too crowded. The batting cages are indoors, and the staff has been known to be very accommodating and helpful. If you want a great, quite place to just hit some balls, come here!