February 25 - 27, 2019 Join Grand Slam Safety at the 40th Annual Conference on School Facilities at the Sacramento Convention Center. Come talk to Jeanette in booth 905. She'll be sharing how your school can bring sports safety innovation to both your indoor and outdoor athletic facilities. Find out more about the conference here.

Finch Creek Fast Facts over 700' Netting over 900' SPECTO® Indoor Containment Fencing 7 retractable Batting Cages 4 permanent Batting Cages 225' Slopefold Divider Curtain 2 -115' horizontal Fold Divider Curtains Nobelsville, IN is home to the new Finch Creek Field House and a brand new SPECTO® Fencing System. The owners of Klipsch-Card Athletic Facilities and the Lauth Group were looking for a company that could fill the bill for this huge project. Grand Slam Safety and its SPECTO® products were the perfect fit. The Finch Creek facility is over 75,000 square feet with two high-school sized infields for baseball and softball along with eleven batting cages. Two full turf fields allow for football, soccer, lacrosse or any other indoor sport. The facility also includes five courts for basketball and volleyball. Grand Slam Safety stepped up to the plate to deliver a complete package of over 700 feet of Sport Netting for the ceiling and upper walls, over 900 feet of SPECTO® Indoor Containment Fencing for the turf fields, seven retractable and four permanent batting cages, a slopefold divider curtain, and two horizontal fold divider curtains. “From the moment we sat down with Grand Slam Safety, both Ryan Cole (President of Finch Creek Field House) and I, knew this was going to be a good fit for our project." said Clay Kelly, Project Manager for the Lauth Group, Inc. "Grand Slam Safety's honest, 'not telling you what you what you want to hear', approach was refreshing. This company more than exceeded our expectations." Contact Grand Slam Safety. We would be happy to discuss your next sports facility build. From start to finish Grand Slam Safety will walk with you every step of the way. We customize to your needs. Any Space. Any Sport. Grand Slam Safety and SPECTO® Fencing Systems.

Setting up a baseball field for local youth is a task that requires high precision and requires the proper layout. Not only do you have to make sure the area is safe and functional, but you also need to make sure it adheres to Little League standards. This guide will help you set up your baseball diamond and baseball field as a whole using the right dimensions. The various league and age group divisions have different rules and distances you need to measure. Fortunately, if you have more than one division using your field, there are excellent fencing options from Grand Slam Safety LLC that are adjustable to fit each age group that comes in. Let's begin by reviewing these divisions and what kinds of baseball field dimensions you need for your safe and fun Little League teams. Table of Contents: Understand Little League Baseball Division Differences What About PONY League Field Dimensions? Identify the Right Little League Fence Distance and Outfield Dimensions Measure and Lay Out Your Little League Baseball Diamond and Pitcher's Mound Little League Field Perimeter Dimensions and Other Specifications Set Up Safe and Protective Fencing Maximize Safety and Play With Grand Slam Safety Baseball LLC Fencing Understand Little League Baseball Division Differences The official Little League organization divides its players based on their ages and sometimes skill. Each division may require adjusted field measurement specifications for the best play experience. Here is what these different groups look like: Tee Ball: For players ages 4 to 7, this program is usually the first one that families turn to for teaching their children about baseball fundamentals while encouraging fun play. As it's the entry-level division, it has particular guidelines for bats, balls and field dynamics. For example, Tee Ball is the only division where the distance from base to base is typically as low as 50 feet. Minor League Baseball: Between the ages of 5 and 11, boys and girls can participate in Minor League divisions that can vary broadly by experience level. These variations can also cause differences in field setup. For instance, if either a machine or a coach performs the pitching, the distance between the pitching rubber and home plate may be different than if the division is player-pitched. The local league's Board of Directors usually decides on those kinds of adjustments. Little League Baseball, or Major Division: Most people know the Major Division of Little League Baseball for featuring programs for 9- to 12-year-olds, although some local leagues may limit their Major Division to the older ages. As with the Minor League, this division requires a 60-foot distance between bases and a pitching distance of 46 feet. Intermediate 50/70 League: For the players aged 12 and 13 who want to transition between the Little League field size and the standard larger requirements for Junior League and Big League fields, Little League introduced the Intermediate 50/70 Baseball Division in 2010. Its 50-foot pitching distance and 70-foot base paths help players grow out of Little League and prepare for future divisions, as they will also be able to practice new rules implemented in Junior League and beyond on a reduced field scale. Junior, Senior and Big Leagues. Boys and girls of ages 12 and up can start playing with the conventional 90-foot diamond size and a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches. The Junior League focuses on 12- to 14-year-olds, the Senior League looks at 14- to 16-year-olds and the Big League is for up to age 18. These are the typical league divisions in Little League Baseball, each requiring specific field structures. However, there may be a few other names you've heard, such as Bronco and Pinto. These are divisions within the PONY League. What About PONY League Field Dimensions? PONY Baseball and Softball is another non-profit organization popular for youth baseball leagues and tournaments. The PONY League is an entirely separate entity from the Little League Baseball franchise, but many parents and communities may not have a clear understanding of the two organizations' differences. Like in Little League baseball, the divisions within PONY are based on players' ages, and the field dimensions vary according to these divisions. Here are some PONY division names you may have heard before and their age-based equivalent on the Little League side: Shetland: The equivalent of the Tee Ball Division, Shetland is for ages 6 and below and features base distances of 50 feet and a pitching distance of 38 feet. Pinto and Mustang: These divisions are similar to the Minor League and Major Division segments of Little League Baseball. They also use a 60-foot base distance, and while Pinto reduces the pitching distance to 40 feet for a more elementary focus, the Mustang division uses the same 46 feet seen in the Little League youth division. Bronco and Pony: These divisions both function similarly to the Intermediate level of Little League Baseball. Bronco uses the same 50/70 specifications, but Pony creates a second intermediate step by giving 12- to 14-year-olds a chance at 80-foot base distances and a 54-foot pitching distance. Colt, Palomino and Thorobred: Featuring cut-offs at ages 16, 18 and 21, respectively, these divisions use the same 90-foot base distance as Junior League and beyond. Knowing what kinds of baseball divisions and age groups will be using your facility will be an essential part of measuring your field dimensions. But once you have your league and appropriate divisions pinpointed, you can create an adequately sized field with the right Little League fence length and diamond layout. Identify the Right Little League Fence Distance Layout and Outfield Dimensions Naturally, as players increase in age, so will their Little League home run distance. To hit the ball over the outfield fence, players will need to reach a distance that is typically decided by the local league. While there is no imposed standard, here is what the Little League field specification guidelines recommend: Start from home plate: The point of home base that faces the catcher and backstop will serve as your initial reference point for building your outfield fence, which will form an arc with home plate at its center. Your focus should be on the white part of the home plate, not on any black rubber border. Determine the distance based on league division: For Intermediate (50/70) Baseball and below, the recommended distance from the apex or point on home plate to the back fence is at least 200 feet. The same goes for any softball leagues. These levels should have an outfield distance no higher than 275 feet, but Junior and Senior League divisions should extend the layout to 300 feet to be in line with tournament distances. Calculate your fence length: Once you know the distance you need from home plate to the back fence, you can figure out the appropriate length for your outfield fencing. Simply multiply the home-to-fence distance by 1.6, and you'll have a relatively accurate calculation for your fence from one foul line to the other, including the infield arc radius. Keep in mind that the back fence will be the same distance from that backward-facing point on the home plate all the way across, from right to center to left field. Your fence should be at least 4 feet high with appropriate covering, and foul poles should extend at least six feet above the height of your fence for adequate visibility. Measure and Lay Out Your Little League Baseball Diamond and Pitcher's Mound The next step in establishing your field layout is specifying your Little League base and pitching distances, creating the perfect baseball diamond dimensions for successful play. This part of the process involves a few important steps to get the correct dimensions. Field measurements can vary depending on the base distance of your field, which is determined by the league or division who will be using your facility. According to the official Little League field specifications, for ages 12 and under, the typical base path distance is 60 feet while older groups can have a length of up to 90 feet. Use this distance as a reference for other measurements you will need to make. Here are the steps for creating your Little League Baseball diamond layout. 1. Orient the Field for Visibility As a safety precaution in baseball, you never want either your pitcher or batter to find themselves looking directly into the sun. When positioning the field layout, it's crucial you orient the pitching trajectory north-south rather than east-west. 2. Position the Home Plate Apex Using the Backstop The apex on home plate that faces the catcher and the backstop is a starting point for your field measurements. Getting it in the right place is one of the first steps to accurately measure out your baseball diamond dimensions. If you already have a backstop in place, you can use it to determine where to set the home plate to begin laying out your field. Draw a line perpendicular to the backstop that runs through the center of the backstop. Here's a simple way to do this: Get a long piece of rope, string or tape and head to one outside corner of the backstop. Run your rope from your corner a few feet past where you might be likely to place the pitcher's mound and draw an arc. Do the same from the other backstop corner so that you have two intersecting arcs. Scribe a line from where the arcs cross to the center of the backstop. The home plate apex will sit somewhere on the line you have drawn, and the distance between it and the backstop is recommended as follows, depending on the base distance of the field: 20 feet for a 50- or 60-foot little league field 30 to 40 for intermediate leagues or 70 to 80 feet 60 feet for a 90-foot field If you don't have a backstop yet, place your home plate in a location that looks promising first, then use these distances to determine the right position for your barrier. 3. Draw a Line to Find Second Base Extend a line from the center of the backstop through the home plate apex. Run this line over the pitcher's mound and continue until you reach the recommended distance for your field size: 70 feet, 8.5 inches for a 50-foot field 84 feet, 10.25 inches for a 60-foot field 99 feet for an intermediate 70-foot field 127 feet, 3 3/8 inches for a 90-foot field This is the distance from the apex of home plate to the exact center of second base. It is also the distance between the outside corners of first base and third base. 4. Scribe Arcs to Locate First and Third Base Grab your rope and make it the length of your base path distance — 50 feet, 60 feet, 90 feet or an intermediate range in between. Measure this distance from the home plate apex and draw an arc on one side of the field. Then, do the same from the center of second base. Where the two arcs cross will be the outside corner of either first or third base, depending on the side of the field that you chose. Next, you'll do the same on the other side. 5. Set Home Plate and the Pitching Rubber For aligning home plate, draw lines extending from the outside corners of first and third base to the apex of the home plate. Make sure you set the back angles of your home plate to these lines. Once you have straightened home base, you can set and align your pitching rubber. First, you need to determine the player's pitching distance as indicated: 46 feet for a 60-foot field 60 feet, 6 inches for a 90-foot field Some pitching distances can vary if the games are machine- or coach-pitched, and the PONY Baseball League has specified distances depending on the division or age group of the team, as outlined above. Measure this distance from the apex of home plate and mark it. Next, take your pitching rubber or plate and center its home-facing edge upon this mark. From there, make sure that the sides of both the home plate and the pitching rubber are parallel. Little League Field Perimeter Dimensions and Other Specifications After you set your bases and pitching rubber, there are a few other dimensions worth addressing that will make your field both safe and effective. 1. Determine the Radius and Draw Your Infield Arc Next, you will establish the perimeter of your infield, where grass and dirt will meet. This is known as the infield arc radius. Start at the center of the pitching rubber and measure out a rope with the following dimensions, depending on the base path distance of your field: 50 feet for a 50- or 60-foot field 65 to 80 for intermediate leagues of 70 to 80 feet 95 feet for a 90-foot field Scribe an arc with the center of the pitcher's mound at the center and your infield measurements will be nearly complete. 2. Scribe Infield Base Paths and Circles All that's left is to measure and mark the paths between bases, which run a couple of feet on either side of the foul lines, creating wider paths if your field is for specifically older players. Similarly, the circles and arcs around each of the bases and the pitcher's mound will vary depending on player ages. For a 50- to 60- foot field, the circles around the batter and the arcs on first, second and third bases have a 10-foot radius, and the pitcher's circle has a 4.5-foot radius. For 90-foot fields, circles on first base, second base, third base and the home plate have a radius of 13 feet, while the circle around the pitcher has a radius of 9 feet. 3. Draw Your Foul Lines Once your grass and dirt are set, you can draw the appropriate lines and markings. From the apex of home plate, draw foul lines all the way to the back fence. These lines should run up against the outside edges of first base on one side and third base on the other. Set Up Safe and Protective Fencing Before players can begin using your field, there is one final element to address. Make sure you have the right fences in place to keep the fun going strong. Whether you want permanent fencing or a temporary option to help you repurpose your field in the off-season, Grand Slam Safety LLC has everything you need. With the right equipment and barriers, you'll be able to effectively use and maintain a safe baseball field that is fun for spectators and players alike. Maximize Safety and Play With Grand Slam Safety Baseball LLC Fencing With our dedication to comfort, fun and easy maintenance, we can help you find the perfect fences for your Little League field. Our SPECTO mesh is sturdy and weather-resistant, so you can sit back and let it work for you as it keeps everyone safe at play. Contact us today to see how our outfield baseball fences can fit your field layout and budget. Our team is at the ready to help you overcome any obstacles in getting your Little League field safe and prepared for action.

The Western Wildcats of Greenwich, CT wanted to be able to safety and efficiently split their gym into two sections. The ElctraFold Divider Curtain was the solution. ​This traditional curtain system has been modified, tweaked, and adapted to the needs of today’s sporting facilities, to perform reliably and efficiently compared to most other available systems on the market. The Electrafold is undeniably the most durable divider curtain available in its class. From all zinc plated hardware and double turned quadruple sewn edges, to it’s standard grooved aluminum cable drums and nylon silent shaft bearings, this system will provide any sports facility many satisfied years of service. Contact us for more information on the ElectraFold Divider Curtain system.

A recent interview with our Director of Sales and Marketing.

Count 'em. 1-2-3-4-5-6 new fields at the Gulfport Sportsplex - each with a new SPECTO Fencing System around them. Along with some SPECTO Batting Cages, the Sportsplex is quickly adding to its facility and becoming a sports destination for the south. Congrats Gulfport on your expanded facility. Here's to many years of fun and safety on your new fields! #SPECTOBaseballFencingSystem #Mississippi #SPECTOBattingCageSystem

Originally published by the Olean Times Herald Written by: CHUCK POLLOCK OLEAN — It seemed as if it would be easy. Olean High scored three runs during a sloppy first inning for Depew in Monday’s Section 6 Class B-1 softball semifinal at OHS. And that 3-0 lead held up until the sixth inning as Huskies pitcher Alyssa Ramarge was cruising, striking out seven and permitting only three hits. But then fifth-seeded Depew (8-10) got a three-run homer from cleanup hitter Annie DiPirro, and suddenly, No. 1 seed Olean (13-7) was six outs away from elimination. However, coach Dan Brooks’ crew responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring twice on three walks, a passed ball and Kylie Lyons’ game-winning RBI single. In the seventh, Ramarge buckled down and struck out DiPirro with the bases loaded and two down to clinch a 5-4 victory. THE WIN boosted the Huskies into Thursday evening’s sectional final against second-seeded Fredonia (13-3), a 7-5 winner over third seed Dunkirk (13-6) in yesterday’s other semifinal, at Williamsville North (6:30). Brooks (184-63 in 10 seasons) is headed for his fourth sectional final and mighty relieved to be there. “They started a freshman (Kennedy Cotton) on the mound and, no matter what, a freshman is still a freshman at this stage of the playoffs … you get a little tighter,” he pointed out. “I said to the girls before we came out, ‘Let’s get a lead and see what happens. That (first) was a huge inning, obviously.” It seemed Olean would take full control in the second when, with a runner on second and nobody out, Ramarage crashed a ball deep to right that Depew outfielder Katelyn Szefler, running full-speed, made the catch on crashing into the wall. It was a ringing endorsement for Olean’s newly-installed SPECTO fence, a product of Grand Slam Safety. The mesh surface acts almost as a vertical trampoline and Szefler bounced off, uninjured. “The ball might have been out with our old fence,” Brooks said. “But that right fielder’s play was incredible. That girl would have gotten hurt on a metal fence.” Depew coach Dan Seelig added, “That was a big momentum swing because we then had a double play that inning … we tried to get something going.” So it stayed 3-0 into the sixth when Depew scored on an RBI single by Casey Borowski, then, with two runners on, DiPirro homered over the wall in left center. “When I went to the mound, I said to Alyssa, ‘We don’t want DiPirro coming up with runners on base to tie it or go ahead with one swing of the bat,” Brooks recalled. “(We) tried to sneak an inside fastball against her and she timed it up and got it … all the credit goes to her for getting the big hit.” As Seelig noted, “Being down 3-1, one swing of the bat changed the whole perspective of the game … to be up 4-3 at that point, man, was that exciting. DePirro putting us up was huge.” But Olean answered in the bottom of the inning. “I can’t say enough about my last two batters in the sixth (Jolyn Gibbons and Holly Vincent), they got walks and then Kylie, with two out, gets the game-winner,” Brooks said. #SPECTOSoftballFencingSystem #NewYork

Grand Slam Safety will be hosting an Open House on Saturday, May 12th from 10am-2pm at our facility in Croghan, NY. This is your chance to visit the home of the patented SPECTO Fencing Systems. See how fences are engineered and fabricated, visit our metal fabrication shop and meet the people behind the SPECTO Fencing Systems success. Beyond creating the worlds safest sport fencing system, Grand Slam Safety also does custom metal fabrication and powder coating work. Stop by and say "hi", grab some refreshments and see what Grand Slam Safety is up to.

PECTO Sport Fencing Systems offers solutions for many common difficulties in indoor facilities, and designs custom solutions for the uncommon problems. How could the right fencing system work for you? Here are some examples from some of our clients. At City Beach Volleyball, in Santa Clara, CA, the courts were being used a lot, but games constantly were being interrupted by balls from other courts. And while traditional netting curtains would have solved that problem, balls would get stuck under the netting, taking time to untangle. THE SPECTO ANSWER: Tensioned mesh and mesh panels separate the courts, preventing balls from crossing into another court, but rebounding gently back into the playing court. Doors allow easy access, and the netting allows spectators to view the games unhindered. In the Kennesaw State University futsal arena, Kennesaw, GA, the walls and score boards were taking a beating during games. Safety was also a concern. THE SPECTO ANSWER: A tensioned netting system that can be lowered and raised easily. Assistant Director of Facilities Brandon McLain said, “With the new SPECTO netting in place, we can fix those damages and keep them from happening again... [Grand Slam Safety] was great in responding to our needs.” While constructing a large, permanent facility, Pro-X Athlete in Westfield, IN needed to outfit a space that they could use in the interim as they started camps and training. THE SPECTO ANSWER: A containment system that made the most of the available space while offering the best protection for athletes, with second tier netting to increase safety of players and building. Suspended batting cages utilize the space and protect players. The systems can be completely removed when Pro-X transitions to their new facility. When Accelerate Sports, Whitesboro, NY, was building, they designed an indoor facility that could handle a wide variety of sports and switch between them easily, to accommodate many games and practices in the course of a day. THE SPECTO ANSWER: A tensioned indoor containment system around the exterior of the field, with easy access doors, and a variety of netting divider curtains to divide the field as needed. The system offers safety for players who might impact the exterior wall, easy shifting to use the field as a whole or in sections throughout the day, and clear, protected spectator viewing. “The design and function of the safety fencing is second to none, and we really wanted to incorporate that technology bordering our turf field,” commented Bryan Ingalls, the operations manager at Accelerate. Any space, any sport... For other examples of SPECTO applications, or to learn more about Grand Slam Safety, LLC, explore further on our website. Call today to discuss how SPECTO could work for you. #SPECTOIndoorContainmentSystem

City Beach Volleyball in Santa Clara, CA had a problem. The indoor facility, with it's multiple courts, was a great place to play volleyball but balls from one court would travel into adjoining courts. City Beach reached out to Grand Slam Safety to see if we could help. The problem with traditional hanging netting is the stray balls still roll under it. Engineers at Grand Slam Safety were able to use our SPECTO fencing, in combination with traditional netting, to create a semi-tensioned system perfect for ball containment. The SPECTO system is also fully retractable so that City Beach Volleyball can host its other big event, Women's Flat Track Roller Derby. Customization is key when it comes to your facilities needs. Grand Slam Safety is able to customize any SPECTO system to meet any application. Netting, fences, indoor divider curtains, outfield fencing; each presents it own unique design challenge that Grand Slam Safety takes on with pride. Come visit us to see other customized projects and read about the customers who love them. #SPECTOIndoorContainmentSystem #Volleyball #RollerDerby #California

Colorado Springs, CO – The NJCAA has announced its newest partnership with Grand Slam Safety, LLC to provide membership with state-of-the-art fencing systems for its facilities. Grand Slam Safety and its patented SPECTO® Sport Fencing Systems provide athletic programs with the proper safety measures to meet specific facility needs. Grand Slam Safety offers an array of services that extend to indoor and outdoor facilities, netting systems, and much more. "The top priority for any athletic program is its student-athletes," stated NJCAA Executive Director Dr. Christopher Parker. "Partnering with Grand Slam Safety and its first-class products will ensure that our student-athletes receive the most dependable safety precautions when competing at the highest level. With Grand Slam Safety on our side, we can assure our student-athletes the best environment to compete in." SPECTO® Sport Fencing Systems also provide programs the ability to install permanent and removable systems to meet all-season needs. "Our company is excited to partner with the NJCAA and meet the needs of its membership," stated Grand Slam Safety, LLC President Bob Lyndaker. "Providing safe sport fencing and containment systems is what has built our stellar reputation in the industry and we look forward to providing this unique product offering to all NJCAA members for years to come." For more information regarding Grand Slam Safety, visit their website: GRAND SLAM SAFETY, LLC

We welcome you to join us at CPRS (California Parks and Recreation) Conference and Expo on March 14 & 15 in Long Beach, CA. Our West coast sales representative, Jeanette Chamberlain will be there to show off all that Grand Slam Safety, LLC has to offer in its SPECTO line of fencing systems. You can find her at booth #237 If you are planning on attending Jeanette wants to make sure that you go for FREE. She has free expo passes to give away (a value of $355). Contact her for details. Contact Jeanette or any of our helpful sales staff to see how a custom SPECTO system would benefit your athletic facility.

Grand Slam Safety, LLC is excited to announce that we have been awarded a contract with the National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (NCPA). The NCPA is an approved purchasing cooperative in all fifty states, with thousands of counties, towns, cities, high schools and colleges actively participating. The contract awarded is for Athletic Court and Field Containment Solutions. This relationship allows public agencies to purchase Grand Slam Safety's SPECTO sport fencing and containment systems, as well as related equipment, through the NCPA without having to put the items out for local bid if they so choose, while at the same time, providing the opportunity for price discounts to participating members. If your public agency is in need of sport fencing and containment, we'd love to help. Contact us at sales@grandslamsafety.com or 315-3014039 for more information.

One of the latest adventures for Grand Slam Safety, LLC was the installation of a SPECTO Netting System on the futsal arena of Kennesaw State Universtiy. This Georgia college, home of the Kennesaw Owls, now has a safe and convenient way to protect spectators and keep the ball in play. "Our facility is only 2 1/2 years old and already our walls and score boards were destroyed, "says Brandon McLain, Assistant Director of Facilities at Kennesaw State. "With the new SPECTO netting in place we can can fix those damages and keep them from happening again." Grand Slam's custom designed netting system is fully retractable, allowing the space to be used for other sports and activities. "The sales and install team from Grand Slam was absolutely wonderful," says McLain. "They were adaptable to our timeline and were great in responding to solutions to our needs." Grand Slam's SPECTO netting can be configured to any shape or design application. We work directly with the customer to provide them with an outstanding product that surpasses their needs. Contact Grand Slam Safety, LLC for your fencing, netting, or gym curtain needs. Any design...anywhere - SPECTO Fencing Systems.

Just thought we'd announce one of our latest installs. This one is for former Major League Baseball player Joe Thatcher and his team at ProX in Westfield, IN. ProX is headed up by Thatcher and other former MLB and NFL players. Pro X’s mission is to provide a professional experience while maximizing the athlete development process for each of our customers. Designed and developed by former professional athletes, Pro X looks to replicate the integrated and customized care that pro athletes receive on a daily basis. Grand Slam Safety, LLC's SPECTO® Fencing System was selected to be used in ProX's temporary training facility. A new 65,000' training center is currently being constructed and they hope to open in the fall of 2018. Grand Slam Safety, LLC can help you with your permanent or temporary Sport fencing needs, indoor or out. Contact us today for more details. #SPECTOIndoorContainmentSystem #Indiana #SPECTOBaseballFencingSystem #Softball