Current Needs
Many of our needs vary from season to season. Whether it’s equipment that breaks down, construction materials needed for infrastructure and projects, the need for labor, or specific items, we know it’s important to reach out to our community, both businesses and individuals to help fill those needs. Many of our projects and initiatives were fulfilled by donations, labor by our parents and volunteers, local businesses, and others who lent a hand to help. What follows is a list of items, in order of importance, we need to help make the program work and maintain our facilities. Take a moment to read through these items, and if you can help, reach out to us through our Contact Page or email us.
And remember, we are a 501(C)(3) organization, so any donations we receive will be tax deductable.
Portable Generators
The Junior High and Junior Varsity fields do not have electric available, so running equipment such as a pitching machine is not possible unless we have a generator. In order to run a practice properly, and make sure our athletes get time to work on hitting, we need to run a pitching machine.
- 2 small gas powered generators would cover our needs. One for our Junior High field and one for the JV field.
- Portable is key. We don’t need a lot of wattage, just something that can handle a pitching machine, or maybe a power tool or two. It’s important to be able to move it easily from our shed to the field. If it’s on wheels, that would be great!
- Used is fine, as long as it runs and provides reliable electricity!
Field Drag
A light infield drag is needed for the new JV field. We have several heavy/nail drags we can use from time to time (as necessary), but when a field has new topping (or is a new field altogether) it’s best to only use a light drag. Chain link fence material can be used, but a dedicated drag is easier to store and carry, and does a better job. If you know where a good used one can be found, let us know!
Chalking/Line Marking Machine
Every field needs to be lined for game time. We’re one chalking machine short with the new JV field. If you have one laying around, see one for sale, or can otherwise get your hands on one of these machines, let us know right away! New one’s can be pricey, and any money we save goes to other needs in the program.
Wagons/Lawn Trailers/Carts
Hauling field drags and other equipment on and off the field can be a big problem for our coaches. The drags are heavy, have sharp edges (and in the case of a nail-drag, actual nails sticking out!) and are generally difficult to move over the distances between our sheds and the fields. Besides being dangerous, this puts a big burden on our coaches backs! Having a cart or a wagon for our tractors to pull, and strong enough to stand up to abuse is a must! Even moving our hitting machines and supplies on and off the field would save a lot of manual effort. If you know of a study lawn cart or heavy duty wagon someone is willing to donate, or sell for a good price, let us know!
Field Tarps
Every field in the district could really use a tarp to cover our fields when not in use. The Junior High field tends to suffer the most from rain and we end up seeing a lot of cancelled games during the spring season. They don’t need to be complicated, just large enough to cover the infield and stakes to keep them from blowing away, and a large enough tube (like a culvert) to roll it up on.
Construction Materials for a hitting cage
Several years ago we set out to fund a hitting cage for our Varsity field. As other needs took precedence, we put that project on the back burner. Soon we’re hoping to be able to dedicate time and some funds to this project. Unfortunately, as prices for construction materials have risen throughout the last few years, the reality of a dedicated hitting cage seems to be getting more expensive than ever.
So why do we need a dedicated hitting cage?
1. Speed up our fielding and hitting practice. During hitting practice, our fielders have to wait while a batter takes their turn at the plate. From foul balls to the time it takes to gather up hits in the field, this steals precious time from our players who could be working on their fielding and throwing technique. This also slows down the actual hitting. A dedicated cage would allow 2 or 3 players to work on hitting while the other players continue with their fielding practice.
2. Gives our pitchers a place to safely warm up. Currently, our pitchers have to warm up in whatever space is not occupied by parents and fans. Sometimes that space is hard to find, and a missed ball might hit somebody. Our players have enough to worry about without thinking they might hurt a bystander.
Our construction needs for this project include:
- Steel Fence posts. We need at least 8 posts (four on each side). Since the height will need to be about 14 feet, we’ll need several pipes for each post, as well as collars to tie them together. 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter would properly support a net, provide enough rigidity, and allow them to be sunk into the ground to an appropriate depth for stability.
- 16-20, 40lb bags of concrete. Several 40lb bags per post will be needed to make sure the posts stay solid, with a little extra if needed.
- Horse Mats – Enough to cover a 30-40 foot area approximately 6-8 feet wide. Horse mats are durable and will last in the weather, they will work well as a way to keep the area clean and dry, and also deaden the ball and prevent ricochets that might wear out the netting prematurely.
Nice to have’s
There’s always a few items on our wish list. As the program grows, and we accomplish our main goals, ideas come up that we think might make things more convenient for our staff, coaches, and athletes. While not entirely necessary, here’s a short list of items that would enhance the program and help make life easier.
- Dugout roofing for Junior High. Right now there are no roofs over the home and visitor dugouts. Ohio weather in the spring is usually wet and windy. Roofing would go a long way toward keeping our players dry. We’re hoping to partner with the school to add those on.
- 4 wheeler (or other durable utility vehicle). While we need a tractor to mow the outfield and sidelines, it would be great to have a dedicated machine for dragging and clearing the fields between games and especially, at the start of the season. Tractors aren’t really designed to handle the rough work of dragging, and tend to wear out from this abuse over time. A chain-driven vehicle, would certainly hold up longer and require less maintenance while saving our tractors from wearing out prematurely. We’re not picky. Any quality vehicle would do! We’re even ok with something that needs a little work. If you know of one for sale at a great price, or someone willing to donate, let us know!
- Golf Cart. Electric or gas (although gas would be great, so we don’t have to charge batteries). Our Varsity and JV fields do have some space between them, and getting players and their equipment back and forth does take time. Our athletic trainer also has to make frequent trips between fields, hauling ice packs, and medical supplies. A golf cart would certainly help to shuttle people and their gear between the two fields, and we’d even be willing to give grandparents and those who might have trouble walking the distance, a ride as well! Used is fine, as new ones are pricey, and we’re not all that picky. If it needs some repair, we’re ok with that.