Ballard Baseball is in need of facilities and it hopes to raise funds to get kids practicing their swings indoor by the end of the summer in a brand new batting cage.

Coach John Lamm said they're hoping to raise $20,000 for a drop down batting cage to be installed in the auxiliary gym. Currently, Lamm travels with his team to Showcase Sports for batting practice two hours a week.

“We don’t have our own field or access to a field with lights in the off-season,” Lamm said. “It’s costly to pay for cage time and it would be great to have onsite facilities instead.”

Lamm added that for many boys in Ballard, playing Select Baseball is the only way to practice during the off-season but that it’s not affordable for every one.

“If a young kid wants to succeed in Baseball in Ballard, it’s my job is to give every opportunity to every kid and money shouldn’t be an issue,” he said.

Team Mom, Susan Wbber, said there's an element of disadvantage at Ballard High School for Baseball.

"These boys go to the schools on the East side who have onsite fields with lights, indoor gyms, et cetera. That is a little intimidating.” she said.

Webber came aboard as Team Mom during Lamm’s first year as coach when her son was just starting at Ballard High School. “There’s no onsite facility for these boys so my husband and I said, 'let’s try to have a batting cage before he graduates'," Webber said.
Her son is now a Junior and she said they’re hoping to have a batting cage by next season.

To launch the fundraising, BHS Baseball is hosting a Casino Night at Parkers Casino & Nightclub on Saturday, Jan 29 from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Tickets are $25 and include a Chinese Buffet. Half of the admission and half of the profit made of the attending BHS parents and alumni will got towards the batting cage.

“It’s a nice way for parents to go out and socialize and for Ballard Baseball alumni to reconnect,” Lamm said. “Plus, other than getting people in the door, there’s very minimal effort on our part.”

Lamm said he prefers to keep the players out of the fundraising.

“I’m not a fan of sending the kids out to sell stuff. I try to keep the kids out of fundraising, they have too much on their plate already,” he said.

The Casino Night is the stepping stone of fundraising as it's likely $20,000 won't be raised in one night.

“We’ll have to see what we get that evening and go from there,” he said.

Webber added that direct donations are welcomed as well.

“The need is there and we’re reaching out to alumni and the community via direct appeal, facebook, the website,” she said.

Despite the lack of facilities, Lamm is looking forward to a good baseball season.

“Primary goal of the season is to go to playoffs. I’m the only coach in the nation who has had his pitchers break their back two seasons in a row,” said Lamm.

“We’re a young team. I only lost one player from last season. But we have some talent like Senior Danny Tomson will play baseball for Princeton next year.”

Tryouts for the Ballard High baseball team will be held on February 28th and the season will start in March.

“We have a great coach with his head and heart in the right place and a great group of young men,” Webber said. “And the word is getting out that Ballard is a team to be weary of.”

People wishing to donate to BHS Baseball directly are encouraged to send a check to BHS Baseball. 3327 NW 70th Street. Seattle, WA 98117. BHS Baseball is a non-profit and donations are tax deductible.

For more information on the team and the Casino Night, please visit BHS Baseball’s Facebook page.