Feb. 27, 2007

District to require batting helmets in cages

Grapevine-Colleyville ISD administrators have implemented additional safety protocols for baseball and softball players following the recent student tragedy at Grapevine High School.

These new safety rules are effective immediately and apply to GCISD athletes as well as visiting teams or members of the public using the batting tunnels (also referred to as “cages”). The District is sharing its new requirement for batting helmets with neighboring school districts that may have teams using GCISD fields.

New safety rules include:

• Any player in a batting cage, whether pitcher or batter, must wear a helmet. Signs will be posted at each of the District’s three batting locations stating this requirement.
• Inspections of all batting tunnels will be performed on an ongoing basis in an effort to identify any potential safety concerns such as loose nettings or openings that could permit a hit ball to pass through. If openings exist, the tunnels will not be allowed to be used until those openings are closed.

In addition, GCISD is examining netting and securing cables as needed and is considering installing partitions of cyclone fencing at Grapevine High School.

Secondary netting is being added to the Grapevine High School batting cages today and, pending an additional safety check, should reopen Wednesday. The batting cages at Colleyville Heritage High School were inspected and reopened for use on Friday. The batting cages at Cross Timbers Middle School are scheduled to reopen today.

More information