Hello All, I am looking to purchase an outdoor batting cage for my HS program. We are definitely on a limited budget. Any advice or ideas on where i can get the best deal?
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Might check with the following:
Colleges that are replacing their own, possible donation to your program. Not sure if your near St. John's, CW Post, Hofstra etc. Send inquiries to Long Island HS's to see if they are replacing older nets and might make you a deal. Check with all local pro teams, minor and major league, to see if they might donate older nets. Your schools athletic boosters also might be a place to check for money and you might want to consider a funraiser for your program like a youth clinic with your players assisting, etc. We were able to get some money from the boosters and raised a nice amount from a youth clinic. You also might want to check with local indoor training facilities that are replacing nets and make a deal. Other than that you just have to shop around.
Colleges that are replacing their own, possible donation to your program. Not sure if your near St. John's, CW Post, Hofstra etc. Send inquiries to Long Island HS's to see if they are replacing older nets and might make you a deal. Check with all local pro teams, minor and major league, to see if they might donate older nets. Your schools athletic boosters also might be a place to check for money and you might want to consider a funraiser for your program like a youth clinic with your players assisting, etc. We were able to get some money from the boosters and raised a nice amount from a youth clinic. You also might want to check with local indoor training facilities that are replacing nets and make a deal. Other than that you just have to shop around.
You can save a ton on pipes, buy from a wholesale company that sells pipes, we used a plumbing company and simply threaded the pipes our self and then connected them, savings $600
One other outdoor batting cage question... is there a HS federation rule on how far a cage must be from the field of play? I'd like to install ours down the left field line but want to make sure its not too close.
I have not been able to locate any rule in either HS baseball federation or Iowa's HS baseball rules that have any reference to a location for the cage. Common sense would dictate that any location within the confines of the actual field, including foul territory, would not be acceptable. It should be in a location that will not interfere with any actual "play", including attempts to go after foul balls or such. I also suggest a possible location so that while it is in use, it will not present anger danger to either the rest of a practice going on or a game and either spectators or players and coaches. ie: hitting in cage and balls possibly leaving cage that might strike others who are #1-practicing #2- observing #3- or use during a game and you have spectators.
You should be able to get at least an opinion on this if you contact the State High School Baseball Athletic Association in NY(?)
I think common sense with consideration to safety will prevail.
You should be able to get at least an opinion on this if you contact the State High School Baseball Athletic Association in NY(?)
I think common sense with consideration to safety will prevail.
