Marion Baseball-Softball Boosters are preparing to upgrade the batting cage at the city baseball and softball complex.

Donations, including $200 from Marion Kiwanis Club, and fundraising by selling concessions at youth basketball games had nearly covered the purchase price by Monday. The remainder of the price will be paid with additional concessions stand funds raised.

The batting cage is 70 feet long, so pitchers can practice full-distance throws. It will also allow two hitters to take batting practice simultaneously, Marion High School baseball coach Roger Schroeder said.

The batting cage will allow teams to practice when the fields are too muddy for use.

“Everybody’s going to benefit from it,” Schroeder said.

He said the batting cage was the biggest need at the complex, but there are always more projects that could be done to improve the facilities. The upgraded batting cage could be installed this week, Schroeder said.