Ball Machine Program


PROGRAM
NTC will allow members to reserve the ball machine, in advance, for their use. Our volunteer will keep track of bookings. The ball machine will be stored in a locked cabinet on the patio. The member will be given the combination to gain access to the ball machine and it must be returned to the cabinet at the end of the period. NTC will be providing tennis balls for the machine and one pickup sleeve. Members are financially liable for any damage sustained during their usage and agree to cover the cost of repairs / replacement for negligence or misuse. The terms of this pilot program may change at any time. Use of the ball machine is a privilege and not a right of general membership.

BOOKING
Members can book up to 7 days in advance of their requested time slot. As a courtesy to the volunteer, members are asked to email the NTC designated volunteer 24 hours prior to their desired timeslot. Same day requests MAY be accommodated, but there is no expectation that such approvals will be possible. Instantaneous requests are not an appropriate demand on our volunteer’s time.

The duration of each booking will be in 1 hour time slots. Be mindful that a reservation for the ball machine does not give you automatic access to a court. All other NTC rules about court times and usage apply. So if the courts are full, the 30 minute wait rule applies for you to gain access to a court. Further, waiting for a court does not automatically extend your 1 hour booking. If no one has booked the machine after you, then it may be possible to complete your hour.

Initially, members will be limited to using the ball machine 3 times per week to allow others access to the machine. This may be adjusted depending on demand. Also, the NTC approved club pro has booking priority over general use for the ball machine.

Before making a booking request, please make sure to complete the waiver form. This waiver only needs to be completed once for the 2024 season.

A request for booking for the 2024 season must be sent to our volunteer Fred Pritchard, who is coordinating the ball machine schedule. You can copy the request form below into an email, complete the details and send to FredsTennis@outlook.com.

NTC Booking Request
Requested Date:
Requested Time:
Member Name:
Member Email:
Please indicate that you have submitted the waiver form: 

A rental fee of $15 per hour is to be paid for each hour. The member will e-transfer the fee to feesntc@gmail.com once they have received their confirmation usage email. A copy of the e-transfer receipt is to be forward to the volunteer coordinator (FredsTennis@outlook.com) to confirm payment.

Should the member wish to continue to use the ball machine and another person has not shown up and identified themselves as having the next time slot, then a member can extend their use of the machine for an additional hour. However, the member is asked to email the co-ordinator prior to using the next hour and at the same time e-transfer the additional fee.

Even though a member may extend their use to a second hour time slot, that again does not guarantee them court access. They are subject to the 30 minute rule for court access.

Should the member be unable to gain court access during their requested time slot due to court usage, a credit for future use can be requested from the volunteer coordinator. No refunds will be issued. 

COURT ACCESS
When using the machine, members are asked to use court 4 where there is an accessible plug on the northernmost light standard. The machine is only to be used on the northern side of court 4 (closest to 5 sideroad). Assuming at least 1 court is open for play, any members playing on court 4 are REQUIRED to move to another court so to allow the ball machine to be used on court 4. All members are thanked for following this requirement. The movement of those players from court 4 to another open court does not reset their start time should other members arrive to find all the courts full. The 30 minute wait rule of who was playing the longest still applies.

Should the renter find that all courts are in use, the 30 minute club rule for court access must be followed. Should those folks who must surrender their court not be from court 4, then those folks on court 4 MUST move to the empty court to allow for the ball machine to be used on court 4. Moving from one court to another does not reset your clock with respect to the 30 minute rule.
 
RULES AND SAFETY
Prior to use, the adult must have read the manufacturer's operating instructions, which will be emailed to the renter upon confirmation of their time slot, and you can also find the manual online. For reference, NTC owns a Lobster Elite Three, Series #EL03 17. The manufacturer’s operation and safety manual can be found here https://www.lobstersports.com/img/manuals/eliteonetwothreeOM_0321.pdf

In addition to the manufacturer's safety instructions which have been provided to you, the NTC asks that you follow these additional instructions:
  • You must be 18 years or older to operate the ball machine. Should a junior be present, the adult (18 years old or older) must operate the ball machine for the full duration of the period.
  • Place ball machine on the baseline in the centre of court 4.
  • Use extension cord to plug machine into electrical outlet located on the light pole on the north part of court 4.
  • Before turning the machine ON, ensure the court is clear and no one is standing in front of the machine.
  • Do not look or stand in front of shot selector while machine is in operation.
  • Turn machine OFF before reloading or, if you have trouble with the machine.
  • Place ONLY tennis balls in the machine’s bucket.
  • Do not use “wet” tennis balls since this may cause damage to the machine.
  • About 5 minutes before your session ends, please complete the following steps:
    • Wrap up extension cord,
    • pickup balls dedicated to the ball machine,
    • return ball machine and extension cord to the storage locker located on the patio
    • and secure the storage locker.
  • You must be 18 years old or older to book the ball machine. Minors are not allowed to use the ball machine without direct onsite parental supervision during the entire usage period. Only an adult who has read all the rules can operate the ball machine.
  • Members are responsible to return the ball machine, balls and ball sleeve to the cabinet located on court 4 at the end of their 1 hour block and ensure the cabinet is locked. They are also responsible for keeping track of the balls and ensuring they are also returned.
  • Members are responsible to inspect the machine prior to use for obvious signs of damage or neglect and report those immediately prior to use to the designated NTC volunteer.
  • Members are required to read the entire safety and usage manual from the manufacturer prior to using the machine. NTC and its Board of Directors assume no responsibility should these guidelines change or be updated and the manufacturer fails to update their online manual or safety guidelines. Usage of the machine is deemed to be an acknowledgement that the user has read and understood everything contained in the manufacturer’s manual. If the members is uncertain about anything contained in the manual, they should refrain from using the machine.
  • Members are liable for the correct and safe use of the ball machine and to follow all safety and usage guidelines from the manufacturer. NTC and its Board assume zero liability for members misuse or failure to understand and follow all usage and safety rules. Further, NTC and its Board is also not liable for any injury or accident while using the ball machine under any circumstances.
  • Members must email the assigned NTC volunteer prior to using the machine and wait to receive a confirmation email back from the designated Ball Machine volunteer that their time/use has been approved. Any member caught using the ball machine without prior approval or failure to pay the rental fee may be suspended from membership. Those members who continue to use the machine beyond the 1 hour booking period, may have their use of the ball machine restricted.
  • The ball machine can not be operated in the rain. Should it be raining during the members requested timeslot, a future credit will be issued to the member. Should it start to rain during your period, the ball machine, balls and sleeve should be unplugged and immediately returned to the locked cabinet. The member is asked to email the volunteer coordinator to advise of adverse weather. A credit for future use can be provided if the member was unable to play at least 45 minutes due to weather. No refunds will be provided.
  • Members are asked to be respectful of play on other courts and not adversely interfere with others play based on use of the ball machine.
  • At no time is the ball machine to leave the property. Its use is restricted to the tennis court, or clubhouse.
  • Use of the ball machine is an extended privilege and not a right of general membership. The NTC designated volunteer can exclude members from the program based on inappropriate usage or abusive conduct to other members or the volunteer.