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Ball Machine

Lob-sterBall Machine Rules and Procedures

Health and Safety

  • Do not stand directly in front of the barrel opening from which the ball is shot
  • Keep your face out of the ball path – balls can shoot out of the barrel at any time
  • Use only regulation tennis balls
  • Never place body parts or objects into the machine openings
  • Never operate with parts removed
  • Never add balls without receivers consent
  • Never put wet balls into the machine
  • The ball machine is not to be used during wet weather
  • If it starts raining during use then shut off the machine, cover it and bring it indoors
  • The ball machine can only be used by Juniors under the supervision and constant presence of an adult member

Booking, Hours of Use and Usage

  • The Ball Machine can only be used on courts 2, 3, or 9
  • A maximum of 4 people can use the Ball Machine at any one time.
  • The Ball Machine can only be used for one hour by the same person or group of people.
  • The Ball Machine balls are not to be used for normal games of tennis

Week Nights 6pm to 9pm:

Minimum of 2 people required to use the Ball Machine.

If using the ball machine during this time, it is necessary to sign both the order of play sheet and ball machine usage book and queue in the normal fashion for one of the eligible courts.

Outside of that time one person may use the ball machine on his or her own.

Juniors

The ball machine can only be used by Juniors under the supervision and constant presence of an adult member.

Booking

Court 9 may be booked in advance for ball machine use on Saturdays.  The booking is limited to one hour, on the hour.  Court 9 will be reserved for ball machine use on Saturdays.  However if the ball machine is not being used on court 9 and it has not been booked then court 9 may be used for normal tennis games.

Access

The ball machine will be stored in the shed adjacent to court 4.  Keys for the shed will be kept in the office, the bar and the changing rooms.  Each key will have a number.  After using the ball machine you are responsible for returning it to the shed, unless you are physically handing it over to someone else who has signed in to use it.  A booking after you does not allow you to leave the ball machine on court unless the person is present.  You are also responsible for returning the key to where you got it.  Members of the tennis committee will also have a key to the shed.

Signing In / Signing Out

Before taking out the ball machine you need to sign in in the Ball Machine book.  You also need to indicate what number key you use to open the shed.  After finishing with the machine you need to sign out of the Ball Machine book.

Charge for Use

There is no charge at present for use of the machine as we are having a special introductory offer for the month of October. From 1st November 2008, there will be a charge of €5 per hour to use the ball machine.  Please treat the use of the ball machine with respect.

Coaching

The ball machine is not to be used for coaching sessions.  This policy may be reviewed at a later date.

Visitors

Visitors who are guests of a member of the club may use the ball machine together with that member.  The member must follow all the rules and procedures and be using the ball machine at the same time as the visitor.  The usual visitor rules apply: payment of a visitor fee, once a month, not during peak times etc.

Etiquette

If you are going to use the ball machine and a challenge or league match is going on in the neighbouring court you need to ask permission of the people playing there to use the ball machine.