Three pitching machines worth around $8,000 each were stolen from the batting cages at Ida B. Wells High School outside of Portland, Ore.
According to Fox 12, the machines were stolen sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning.
“The batting cages really aren’t batting cages anymore,” said Krissy Govertson, softball coach at the school, following the theft.
The JUGS pitching machines cost about $8,000 each, and baseball coach Jeremy Shetler said the thieves also cut a hole in the netting.
One of the pitching machines was for softball, while the other two were for baseball. Athletes at Ida B. Wells said they’re worried about how the loss of the machines will affect their performance on the field.
“Not having time in here will effect how we play on the field and also just feeling safe in here will effect how I play on the field,” said Sam Stevens, a junior who plays on the school’s softball team.
Shetler said this is the fourth time the batting cage have been the target of thieves, which she said is due in part to limited surveillance of the facility, as students need only make a reservation to use machines.
“I hate to say in terms of where we are in our times, but to be able to go steal stuff that all you have to do is make a phone call if you want to use?” Shetler said.
Shetler has filed a police report, and the missing equipment will be replaced by the school district in time.
Goverston said the impact will be felt across the baseball and softball communities.
“Not only will it affect the end of baseball season, it will affect the youth baseball and softball seasons that will go all summer,” she said. “And it will really effect the sophomores and juniors who had planned to spend their summers practicing, taking video and making tape in an attempt to play college ball.”
