Ball Machine Program


PROGRAM
NTC will allow members to reserve the ball machine, in advance, for their use. NTC will utilize a WhatsApp group for booking purposes and all members who sign up to use the ball machine will be included in this group. 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 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 by posting in the ball machine WhatsApp group. Members will be asked to enter their time slot in WhatsApp so all those members will know that the machine is in use. 

The duration of each booking will be in 90 minute 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 90 minute. If no one has booked the machine after you, then it may be possible to complete your 90 minute session.

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 2025 season.  The waiver form is available to download from our website.

A rental fee of $20 for the season is to be paid for 2025.  If this is not done during your membership registration process, please e-transfer the fee to feesntc@gmail.com (label the transfer with your full name and the words Ball Machine) and send a copy of the e-transfer receipt to the volunteer coordinator (FredsTennis@outlook.com) to confirm payment, receive the code and be added to the WhatsApp group.

Be mindful that a reservation for the ball machine does not give you automatic access to a court,  court rule s apply. 

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 post a message on WhatsApp with the timeslot required. Timeslots are assigned on a first booked basis. Any member caught using the ball machine without prior payment of the annual fee may be suspended from membership. Those members who continue to use the machine beyond the 90 minute booking period, may have their use of the ball machine restricted.