Letter to the editor

Published 1:30 am Friday, December 20, 2024

Past time for batting cages

To the editor:

In 2022 the Bainbridge High School baseball fields underwent a long-overdue update and repair project. At that time, the batting cages (netting/frames and concrete pad) were removed citing safety concerns, with the promise of replacement prior to the season.

As of today, the cages have still not been replaced. Bainbridge is the only school in the Olympic League without batting cages. Batting cages are a vital part of development for all baseball and softball teams, and the fact that our teams have been through two seasons without them is unacceptable.

On Oct. 16 the booster club learned the funds for covered batting cages do not exist, and the district is only willing to build outdoor cages with an approximate budget of $60,000. That does not seem like a fiscally responsible use of the district’s seemingly limited resources. At best the netting will last two years in the Northwest weather.

Boosters is willing to partner with the district financially to make the project happen but feel strongly that it should not be this club’s role to build structures on district property. If the district can provide the building/covered area, we are willing to help fund the equipment/netting required.

This project desperately needs to be prioritized for the sake of both the baseball and softball student athletes. The current practice situation for these teams is dramatically inadequate by any standards and the repeated broken promises unacceptable.

Kristin French

Bainbridge Island