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drewmeadows
26 Posts |
 Posted - 05/16/2011 : 11:53:19
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| We put men on the moon over 40 years ago, but we can't stop foul balls from hitting people around the concession stand at every tournament...??!! Does that bother anybody else, or is it just me? The scream of "HEAD's UP!" is so common it is either laughed off or ignored to the detriment of at least one unsuspecting spectator every tournament. By the way, wouldn't it be more appropriate to yell, "HEAD's DOWN!"? There must be a reasonable way to have suspension systems and netting installed, at least around the concession stand where so many little brothers and sisters are. The benefit would certainly justify the cost. It should be required for all parks, old and new. Am I missing something? |
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bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2011 : 12:18:40
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| Costs a lot of money. Most parks are city or county run and the money just isn't there. |
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christheump
351 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2011 : 12:19:37
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| It probably boils down to cost. |
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Mad1
252 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2011 : 12:45:36
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| mddawg I totally agree. This past weekend in our tourney in Hampton, I saw at least 6 people get hit hard with baseballs. One gentleman was hit right on top of his head by a VERY HIGH foul ball. The setup of the fields, With four fields back to back, with concession stand in the middle, made it very dangerous for foul balls and very easy to add netting. I know it's the counties and not the TD's making the decisions on physical set up of fields, but they too are benefiting from these tourneys being there. Just to give kudos to the TD, Bubba, I thought the tourneys in Hampton this weekend went off great. Most of the games in our 9u tourney even went off ahead of schedule, and our semi-final game even started 45 minutes early. Great communication all around. |
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oldmanmj
191 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2011 : 12:50:18
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| You are more likely to get hit at a major league ball game than at the park. Then why aren't all bleachers required to have a cover over the top of them to keep from getting hit also? Most parks aren't even set up for that type of protection to be provided. Let's raise the entrance fees and use that money to put up the safety nets. Why does one park charge $5 a day entry fees and the other $8 for the same sanctioning organization event on a different date? Did the chicken come before the egg.....there is no right answer for that one. |
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beanball
222 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2011 : 14:59:02
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| They used to have nets over the consession/bleacher area at a few Forsyth county parks. It was nice not to worry about this but it created other issues for maintenance. For example the nets had to come down to repair/replace the field lights. and believe it or not kids threw garbage and gloves ets onto the nets. When they replaced the field fencing a few years ago they disappeared. DOn't know what happened to them. |
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touchemall
145 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2011 : 15:08:37
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| ATPP is target practice because of its set up. But that sure is a nice basketball gym they built... |
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22202
263 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2011 : 15:38:13
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| What team are you with Mad1? |
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Mad1
252 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2011 : 16:45:54
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| 22202 I'm with LG Mayhem out of Locust Grove, you? |
Edited by - Mad1 on 05/16/2011 17:59:05 |
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momshell
103 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2011 : 19:09:09
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| We've played at a few Forsyth county parks this year and they had the nets. It was really nice not to worry about getting hit. Wish all the parks could do it! |
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davidh6265
27 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2011 : 00:52:10
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| Oh come on I've been to maybe 5000 youth baseball games and I've NEVER seen anyone seriously hurt by a foul ball. |
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HITANDRUN
436 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2011 : 07:26:14
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| You are more likely to get hit at a major league ball game than at the park? I don't agree with this statement at all. You can go to a major league game and never even get within touching distance of a ball, but at any youth park can get tons of foul balls. More teams playing more balls flying. Smaller area. I am designing a new spectator helmet that you wear while at games.(anyone interested in buying one) Since we buy our kids a new helmet every year for travel baseball, keep last years and pass it around to grandma and grandpa and mom and dad. |
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22202
263 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2011 : 08:54:29
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| Mad1- North Forsyth Crush 9U |
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oldmanmj
191 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2011 : 09:54:37
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| I have seen broken arms, noses, jaws and other miscellaneous body parts at 6 different major league fields in the last 3 years from foul balls. I have been to over 500 elite level games in 7 states in the same time frame and not seen one person get clipped by a foul ball....need I say more? I don't doubt there are people that are hit at these games, but they aren't usually private parks that budget for those costs. I guess my family may have to buy your helmet...;-) |
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bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2011 : 09:18:38
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Gwinnett County Parks use clam-shell shaped backstops that totally eliminates balls being fouled back over the backstop. I like them even though it prevents the catcher from getting some outs on fouls that go behind him that he may have caught if the backstop was straight and vertical, rather than rounded.
The only risk a spectator has at the Gwinnett County park is by fouls that go over the fences down the 1st & 3rd base lines. Their fences down the lines are higher than most, and very few folks sit that far away from home plate so risk from those fouls are also minimized. You do have to be aware as you enter and leave though. |
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awilson8407
337 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2011 : 22:45:06
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| Catoosa County - Jack Mattox Park has the netting system over head to prevent foul balls from striking fans. www.catoosarec.com |
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Topic |
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Why can't we stop foul balls from hitting people?
