Pacifica's New Batting Cage Facility a Home Run

Pacifica now has a new batting cage facility, and the local softball and baseball community are very excited about it.

“I have been to the cages on several occasions, and it’s an excellent facility. The City of Pacifica has needed a batting cage facility for a long time, so it’s refreshing to finally have one,” said Jeff Azzopardi, vice president of the Pacifica American Little League.

Erin Macias, who voluntarily runs Pacifica’s Girls Softball League, was just there Monday night and is also very impressed with the facility.

So is Steve Bigler, player agent for the Pacifica American Little League: “The new batting facility is a top notch facility that not only includes batting cages, but also has pitching mounds. The owners have done an excellent job of working with the Pacifica American Little League to form a partnership,” he said.

Pacifica Cages opened this month and so far is a home run for the local baseball community under the ownership of Pacifica resident Mauricio Martinez, who teamed up with Terra Nova Varsity Coach Joey Gentile and local entrepreneur Keith Smith to make the business a reality.

Having coached little league teams for more than 10 years and a travel baseball team for his oldest son and his friends, Martinez started to notice that other towns had batting cages for players in the community to practice the sport anytime.

“We all love baseball and we all have kids that love baseball. We thought it would be a great place for kids to do something they loved all year around in Pacifica,” said Martinez.

Pacifica Cages is an indoor baseball/softball facility open to youths and adults of all ages. They offer four hitting cages with Hack Attack pitching machines for both baseball and softball with a team feeder that holds 150 balls. Cage No. 4 has a professional clay bullpen with dual pitching mounds and adjustable plates. Cage rentals are available for individuals, teams and private parties. Walk in cage time and appointments are available.

The closest batting cage facility to Pacifica is in South San Francisco but now players don’t have to leave town to practice, said Martinez. Pacifica has a huge softball and baseball community with a lot teams vying for practice times on limited fields so this new facility is a welcomed addition.

“This facility will allow our league, coaches and players an additional option during the season, especially during the winter months ahead,” said Azzopardi, who thinks the owners have already done a great job reaching out to the local little leagues and offering their support. “I have been very impressed with the professionalism and knowledge of the staff especially Joey Gentile of the Terra Nova Varsity Baseball Coach. I look forward to a long term partnership between Pacifica Cages and the Pacifica American Little League.”

Pacifica Cages is offering their first 3-day camp Thanksgiving week, Nov. 25-27, for baseball players ages 7 to 13. Local Major League pitcher Greg Reynolds, local area scout for the Baltimore Orioles Rich Morales, and Terra Nova High School varsity coach Joey Gentile will be providing pitching, hitting and catching instructions. Bring a bag lunch, glove, helmet, bat and any personal gear you want to use. Camp is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; $80 per day or $180 for three days. Space is limited. Call 650-355-5500 or e-mail pacificacages@att.net.

Pacifica Cages is located at 640A Crespi Center, Pacifica.