Fun Spot opens new batting cages to Fairchild sluggers

July 25, 1997
Originally published by Fairchild Connection (Fairchild AFB, WA)

Whether a novice or a bona-fide slugger, you can't go wrong with the base's newest attraction.

The new Funway Park batting cages, located at the Fairchild Fun Spot in the bowling center, now provides a place to step up and swing the bat. Col. Bill Essex, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, took his cuts at the machine's first pitch in a ceremony on opening day July 17. About 25 children from the youth center were also on hand.

"I know you kids are anxious to try this out, but I've got to make sure it works," Col. Essex said with a smile as he put on a yellow plastic batting helmet and knocked down a banner covering the cage gate with his bat. This served as the "ribbon cutting" ceremony.

Col. Essex then dug into the batting cage and the pitching machine kicked into high gear as he pounded out the first few hits in the park's history.

The park was a total cost of $25,000 including construction and material costs, according to David Weiland, Fun Spot manager. "We budgeted it well," Weiland said.

Two settings are available for batters. The softball mode pitches at 60-65 miles per hour and is recommended for lesser-skilled players. The baseball mode, which pitches hardballs, is clocked at 80 mph. Weiland sees some changes in that department coming soon.

"As we get used to our customers, we'll adjust the speed controls some," Weiland said.

The cost is one dollar per token, which is good for 20 pitches. On evenings and weekends, tokens will be sold three at a time.

To get bats, helmets and keys to the batting cage, customers can visit the bowling center control desk, where they are logged into a control book. After use, customers must return bats, helmets and key to the desk to be logged out.

For safety, only one person is allowed in each cage at a time. Batters under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and a helmet must be worn at all times. While team reservations may be made with one hour time limits, reservations cannot be accepted during peak hours.

The batting cages are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and closed on Sundays and holidays.