Site review
Review the whole operating environment.
People
Athlete, thrower, operator, observers and nearby household activity
Ball path
Intended flight, rebound, misses and balls leaving the active lane
Equipment
Containment, screens, machine, feeder, surface and connections
Site
Dimensions, access, slope, drainage, anchoring and adjacent exposure
Operations
Power, setup, testing, supervision, storage and inspections
Map every person before mapping equipment.
Identify the athlete, thrower, machine operator, observers and anyone who may enter the surrounding area. Define where each person stands, how they enter and exit, and how the athlete and feeder or operator communicate before every pitch.
Review nearby windows, vehicles, neighbors, pets, streets, pools and normal household traffic. Containment is one part of the site plan, not the end of it.
Assign every protection role.
Confirm which components contain balls, protect the thrower or operator, protect the machine and address adjacent exposure. Fit those components into the actual operating layout and verify stable placement.
Inspect netting, frames, connections, screens and ground contact according to their current instructions. Replace or service components when required by the manufacturer.
Review every system roleReview what can change at the site.
Surface condition, slope, drainage, ground connection, wind, weather, lighting, stored equipment and household activity can change how the setup operates. Build a process for checking the site, not just a one-time measurement.
Any construction, electrical work, permanent anchoring or unusual site condition should be reviewed by the appropriate qualified professional.
Make machine setup and testing part of the routine.
Use the exact machine manual for approved balls, power, protective screens, operator practices, setup and testing. Keep the athlete and observers clear of the target area while adjustments or test pitches are performed as directed.
Confirm that the immediate area in front of the machine and the intended ball path are clear before feeding. Recheck the setup after movement or changes in speed, pitch or trajectory according to the current instructions.
Run the compatibility checklistPre-use checklist
Run the check before every session.
01Review the current instructions for every selected component
02Inspect netting, frame, connectors, screens and ground connection
03Clear the lane and surrounding exposure area
04Confirm the athlete, operator and observer positions
05Confirm the machine or thrower position and protective screen
06Check approved balls for damage, moisture and consistency
07Confirm power connections and cable routing
08Test equipment according to the current manual before the athlete enters the target area
09Confirm clear communication between athlete and feeder or operator
10Stop if site, equipment or weather conditions have changed
Stop conditions
Do not begin or continue with an unresolved change.
- A product manual or warning label is missing
- Containment, screen or hardware damage is visible
- Anchoring, weighting or ground conditions have changed
- The machine is unstable, misaligned or behaving inconsistently
- Balls are wet, damaged or not approved for the machine
- Power connections or cables are exposed to traffic or moisture
- The athlete, operator or observers cannot maintain their planned positions
- Wind, rain, lighting or site activity changes the operating conditions
- Any person is not ready or cannot communicate clearly
Instruction sources
Keep current manuals with the final system file.
Machine, feeder, screen and containment instructions should be reviewed for the exact models selected. Contact the manufacturer when current documentation is unavailable or unclear.
Plan the complete system
Start with the work, then verify the environment.
The System Builder identifies the right starting class and the questions that still require a guided fit review.
Start the System Builder This guide provides general planning information and does not replace product instructions or qualified professional advice.