Berens Park ballfields received an upgrade this fall – two separate batting cages, which will provide a safe and efficient space for players to warm-up prior to and during games. Baseball and softball certainly has a home at Berens Park. The park’s ballfields are heavily used throughout the spring, summer and fall by youth baseball and softball leagues, as well as by Park District adult softball leagues.
The batting cages will give the whole community, not just players, a place to practice their skills. Similar to batting cages located at Plunkett Park and Salt Creek Park, these batting cages will be available for public use when there are no games, so local athletes will have a place to warm-up and train.
Initial discussions about the project began in 2018, when representatives from Elmhurst Youth Baseball approached the Park District regarding their interest in adding batting cages. Additionally, the organization donated $5,000 toward the project, which was approved at the February 24, 2020 Park Board meeting.
Contractors installed the batting cage structures. Parks staff installed a retaining wall and surfacing in an effort to reduce the overall cost of the project.
Athletes and the community at-large can look forward to using the batting cages next April, when nets will be installed and the cages will officially open.
