Take me out to the ball game: Batting cages pitch fun times in Ho Minh City
Saturday, December 04, 2021, 10:00 GMT+7
Baseball Cage – a 400-square-meter restaurant-bar-batting cage combo in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7 is a new top choice for anyone in need of a fun weekend or evening out.
First opened in April this year, Baseball Cage on Le Van Luong Street in District 7 just reopened after a six-month shutdown due to COVID-19.
People take a swing in the batting cages at Baseball Cage in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7 on November 17, 2021. Video: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News
Tuan Anh, a local resident who visited Baseball Cage for dinner with friends, couldn’t help but take a few swings in the venue’s batting cages.
Though Tuan Anh had never played baseball before, all it took was a quick introduction from the venue’s staff before he was ready to throw on gloves and a helmet and get into the cage.
While Tuan Anh’s first round at bat was a failure, during his second round, he managed to connect with the ball quite a few times.
“It was hard.
“After a few tries, I began to feel more comfortable. It’s really exciting to hit the ball. It’s also a great way to relieve stress,” he said.
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| Baseball Cage features four batting cages, with each pitching machine set to a different speed. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News |
Gia Han, another player at Baseball Cage, also loved her first visit to the venue.
Stepping out of the cage with sweat on her face, Han needed a short break after spending six minutes taking swings at the baseballs hurtling towards her.
“I found out about this place through a TikTok video,” Han shared.
“I’m always eager to try new things, so I decided to check it out.
“At first, I was afraid of being hit by balls, but then I began to really enjoy the game and decided to push myself to do better at batting,” she said, adding that she plans to bring her friend to Baseball Cage in the future.
According to Le Van Tung, the owner of Baseball Cage, the venue’s staff help new players with basic batting technique before they enter the cage.
“The balls are pitched automatically, so players are able to practice without any pressure,” he said.
“Anyone can play,” he affirmed.
“I just hope this is a fun experience for our customers.”
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| Le Van Tung (right), owner of Baseball Cage, instructs a batter on proper batting posture at Baseball Cage in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7 on November 17, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News |
With four pitching machines set up to pitch at different speeds, players can easily choose their level of difficulty.
To start a game, players simply put a token into the machine and wait for the balls to fly.
A token costs VND28,000 on weekdays and VND38,000 on weekends and holidays. (US$1 = VND 22,715).
“We designed this place based on the height and weight of Vietnamese people,” Tung said, adding that he has marked certain areas on the ground inside the cages to ensure that batters aren’t hit by the balls.
Players are also equipped with a helmet and gloves before entering the cages.
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| A player puts a helmet on before entering the batting cages at Baseball Cage in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7 on November 17, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News |
“Batting is very important in baseball, and hitting the ball is a great feeling. I created this so everyone can experience baseball without having to put a team together or find a field,” Tung said.
A sports enthusiast who has lived and worked in many countries, Tung said he decided to build a batting cage in Vietnam after visiting one in South Korea about ten years ago.
“On my visits to other countries, I found that people often love baseball as much as soccer, but it is still a new sport to Vietnam,” he said.
“This is not only my idea but also a milestone in my life because I am able to popularize baseball amongst young people in Ho Chi Minh City,” Tung expressed.
In the future, Tung hopes Baseball Cage becomes a top weekend choice for sports and baseball enthusiasts in the city.
He also hopes to expand his business and publicize the sport across the country.
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| Players stand in the batter’s box at Baseball Cage in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7 on November 17, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News |
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| Le Long, a technician, checks an automatic ball line at Baseball Cage in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7 on November 17, 2021. The ball lines were designed by Tung and manufactured in Vietnam while the pitching machines were imported for around VND250 million (US$ 11,005) each. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News |
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| A group of young people takes a photo while having dinner at Baseball Cage in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7 on November 17, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News |
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| Dinners enjoy the food at Baseball Cage in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7 on November 17, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News |
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