“Build it and they will come” was the prophetic declaration from James Earl Jones’ character to Ray Kinsella, played by Kevin Costner, in the film The Field of Dreams.
Michael Falzone’s reason for opening INField Batting Cages on Clement near 20th Avenue was not inspired by Hollywood, but instead by complaints from his Little League players and parents about not having easy access to a practice facility.
Falzone coaches his own sons in SF Little League, and decided he would try opening his own batting cages. His full-time job is as a park police officer in the Presidio, where he also lives. He initially tried to open INField in the Presidio, but could not get approval for a space from the Presidio Trust.
So instead he leased a former restaurant space at 1888 Clement that had been vacant for two years. It’s a deep space with high ceilings in the back, which was perfect for two side by side batting cages. There’s also a tee-ball hitting station in the front of the space for younger players.
For now, INField operating hours align with after school and weekend schedules, welcoming swingers in from 4pm to 7pm Tuesday through Thursday, and until 9pm on Fridays. Saturday hours are 12noon until 9pm, and Sundays til 5pm. They are closed Mondays.
You can call in advance for reservations (699-3670) or just drop in. Additional hours can also be arranged by email.
Each cage features a variable speed pitching machine for baseballs. Falzone says the machines have a softball accessory but for now, he’s just offering baseball hitting.
Prices are $25 for a half-hour of pitching machine time for batters age 7 and up ($40 for a full hour). Under 7 can hit off the tee for $10 for a bucket of balls. Special rates are also available for teams.
Each machine offers up a variety of pitches, allowing hitters to refine their swing on just a specific pitch, or get some swings in on all the pitches (fastball, left and right hand curveballs, knuckleball, slider and sinker). Available pitch speeds range from 40 to 90 miles per hour.
If you’re a frequent hitter, INField also offers memberships ranging from $100 per month to $1,000 for the year, which includes five half-hour sessions per month plus discounts on merchandise, clinics and camps.
For now, INField is the only batting cage facility in the city of San Francisco. Falzone says that previously, he was taking his players to Treasure Island or South San Francisco for batting practice.
Blog reader Grace stopped by INField last weekend and said she “had a blast – made me feel like I was in Little League all over again.”
Batter up!
Sarah B.
This is so cool. Can adults go in and get their frustration out?
Yes Toby! Adults allowed 🙂
This is great. I know that many softballers, including myself, can’t wait for softball pitching to be available there.
Sweet!! Four blocks from my house. I used to go to batting cages to relieve stress!!
Great! So glad Mr. Falzone has opened such a wonderful, sorely needed facility. Minor clarification – these aren’t the first batting cages in the city. There used to be batting cages down on Mission for many years that I used to frequent, but they closed probably 10 years ago.
Are they really the first cages? I’m glad they’re open, but I don’t think it’s the first.
It’s been a long time, but weren’t there cages on Bayshore? Willie Mays or McCovey (can’t recall) Batting Cages. I have a vague recollection of them, much like the skating rink on 48th and Lawton. I seem to remember the same moldy smell. In both places. I remember them back in the 80’s.
I think there are “cages” at Moscone, too.
There was also a batting cage on 26th and California…but you had to know the family and/or play on the same team. That was sweet.
Great add to the ‘hood.
Actually, the person who whispers “build it and they will come” and the other messages was never identified; some hypothesize it was Ray Kinsella’s father. It def wasn’t James Earl Jones’ Terence Mann!
My kids love the batting cages! On Saturday my son and his friends spent an hour hitting. They couldn’t get enough of it! Sounds like it’s going to be our next birthday party location! Yippee Richmond District.
Willie McCovey Batting Cages were on Bayshore and Army (Cesar Chavez) where the storage-unit place is now. There was also one in the Excelsior…Mission past Silver but before Persia.
Don’t forget that there is still X-Level on Treasure Island. Multiple batting cages, Pitching Tunnels and Soft toss areas.
The one out in the Excelsior was Wolf’s batting cages if I recall correctly. I remember taking the 44 bus there as a teen.
Do we need to bring our own bat and helmet? Or you provide?
I was visiting from North Carolina spent A couple of hours there and had a blast, wonderful clean facility loved it. great place.