While pitching machines are a proven safe and effective tool for hitting and fundamentals development, there are a few safety precautions to keep in mind. 

Batters should always wear the necessary protective gear when in the cage with a machine or on the field for grounders or fly balls. Helmets and protective masks are a must. Do not allow any player into the cage if they are not wearing an officially sanctioned batting helmet.

After entering the cage the player should always be instructed to close the gate upon entering and exiting.

The person feeding a pitching machine should always stand behind the Safety Screen or similar barrier and should wear a helmet themselves as a precaution against batted balls hitting the ceiling of the cage and falling down.

If using a pitching machine after rain, or on a dewy morning, balls will pick up the moisture and can behave unpredictably on feeding through the pitching machine. Make sure your hitters are extra vigilant as a pitched ball may come out of the machine erratically.

Visually inspect batting cage and Safety Screen netting regularly and patch when necessary. A hole in the netting can quickly lead to accidents. As a part of this, always use high quality, thick netting material. In the long run, this will prove safer and more cost effective than using cheap material in the beginning.

In the batting cage, only two people should be present at any given time — The batter and the feeder behind the safety screen.

Use good judgment in setting the pitching machine’s speed to a player’s ability and appropriate age level (age appropriate pitching speeds are located under the Team Development tab). Just because a pitching machine can throw a ball at 75 MPH doesn’t mean your player is ready for that speed. 

Before any batter enters the cage, always feed a few pitches into the pitching machine to ensure that the pitching machine is accurately aimed and so that the batter has an idea of what to expect. Perform the same procedure when any adjustment is made to the machine (i.e. a new type of pitch or a different speed).

When setting up the pitching machine, make sure the machine is level and the legs properly stabilized and at the proper distance (black painted age level appropriate markings are present on the cement cage border and can be found under Team Development tab).

Any power cords running to the machine should be firmly plugged in and should be regularly examined for fraying.

Damaged, sliced, or cracked balls may behave erratically and should be replaced as soon as possible.

The person feeding the pitching machine should always let the batter know to expect a pitch. Generally this is done by holding the ball up over your head and then placing it in the feeder.

Regularly check your pitching machine for wheel damage or other problems that may impact its ability to perform properly.

Never operate a pitching machine under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but simply some of the more important safety tips we have collected in our many years of using the pitching machines safely, effectively, and enjoyably. A pitching machine is a tremendous tool for improving your fastpitch skills, but like any machine, it can be dangerous if not used properly and with care. So get out there and enjoy all the benefits of your our equipment, but remember that safety always come first. For the final word on any safety or maintenance issue relating to the pitching machine, please consult the owner's manual that came with it.

Scoring a softball game gives a coach a clear idea of how their team performed. The following attachment will assist you in scoring.

The user manual is provided to assist with the operation of the Daktronics scoreboard at Pamela and VanValkenburg Parks.  Softball/Baseball operation is on page 33.

Below you will find a Coaches User Guide for Managing your team using the SportNgin platform and mobile app.  This will allow you to create events and message your team.  It will also allow you to have team members RSVP for scheduled team games and events.