Ball Machine
The club has a "Slinger" ball machine for the use by all club members, free of charge.
Induction
The Slinger is easy to set-up and operate, but there are a number of important safety considerations and operational features that you need to be aware of before using the machine. Please watch the following YouTube video first, and then read the following induction carefully.
Once you have watched the video and read these instructions in full, please email Laura Broadhurst at broadhurstlaura@hotmail.com who will send you the padlock code.
A growing group of members are already familiar with the operation of the machine, so you should be able find somebody to show you how it works if you would prefer.
Safety
The machine launches balls at speed, so you must always stay clear of the launcher, especially while it is operating.
Junior members under 16 can only use the machine under close adult supervision.
If you want to adjust the settings, make sure you switch off the launcher first, do not adjust while operating.
Please be aware of where the balls are going, especially if you are using the oscillator plate. We ask that you don't use courts 2 and 3, and for the other courts, ensure that the balls are not straying onto neighbouring courts.
While portable, the bag is still heavy. To minimse the weight, please remove the balls from the slinger bag during transit and storage. Use the trolley handle where possible. When lifting up and down steps, please take extra care, and ask a fellow member to help you if necessary.
You use the ball machine at your own risk, so please take care.
Storage
The Slinger is kept in the mens changing room. Please return the Slinger to the same place as you found it.
Please clean the Slinger when you return it, particularly of ball fluff around the launcher and controls.
The Slinger should be stored with the handle facing the left, and this should be padlocked to the frame.
You should open the control section flap, and plug in the charger so that it is charged for the next person.
The charger should only be used via green timer unit - press the green button to select 4 or 8 hours charging.
The blue oscillator plate should be stored and carried in the bag, it is likely to break if dropped.
The blue fob should be left in the basket provided.
All balls should be put back in the bucket, and not left in the Slinger.
There are 2 buckets of balls provided for use with the Slinger - it will take up to 144 balls.
Booking
It is mandatory to book the Slinger on Clubspark, please book this aswell as your court - it is to the right of Court 7 on the booking tool.
The Slinger battery should last for 3+ hours - be mindful that if you book straight after somebody else, then you may run out of charge.
Set-Up
We recommend placing the Slinger on the Serving T point.
Place the oscillator base on the ground first, and then sit the Slinger on top, with the wheels in the slots.
Open the control section flap, and hook it back with the caribeener.
Connect the oscillator to the Slinger with the white wire, it is a magnetic connector.
Open the side flap, and adjust the launch angle.
Set the speed and ball frequency to the desired settings.
Fill the front pocket with balls.
Turn on the switch on the Slinger.
You are now ready to play - take the blue fob with you.
Operation
Press the top button on the fob to start / stop the machine - it will take up to 30 seconds.
Press the bottom button on the fob to start / stop the oscillator.
Note that the machine launches balls by spinning them, so you may not be used to the kick on the balls.
The battery should last for 3+ hours, depending on the intensity of use.
Enjoy..!
