SIGN THE PETITION

Governor Murphy recently announced an executive order which included “Opening Outdoor Batting Cages” and noted “Outdoor Recreation Businesses”

Notes on that order specifically:

• The reopening of outdoor batting cages does not help an industry that has not been allowed to reopen as a business. Based on current ‘shut-down’ orders still in place, Baseball/softball facilities are not on the “allowed” list of businesses to reopen. The specifics of the order technically do not apply as baseball/softball facilities are not classified as “Outdoor Recreational Businesses”
• Outdoor batting cages, in most cases, will reopen based on town and local municipality ordinances. Many towns have no immediate plans to open their cages due to the additional oversight it would require
• Private facilities cannot “walk on” an outdoor batting cage and use it at-will. Town parks are generally “open’ to residents of the town. Park space has to be rented and in most cases, towns are not renting to any outside group, so that their facilities are open and available to residents who have been in lock-down for months.

In other words, the opening of outdoor batting cages does nothing specifically for many/most private baseball & softball facilities.

The 5/18 order outlines some guidelines relative to Outdoor Recreational Businesses which are fairly unclear. If baseball/softball facilities are to be considered applicable within this executive order, it will aid some facilities (Like ours) that have space outside their facility that they own, rent or have access to, but not all facilities. There are many facilities that are only indoors and have no outdoor space to use, leaving them “outside” of the purview of this order and out of luck.

A link to that order can be found HERE.

Our local and state leadership needs to continue to be pushed to recognize Baseball/Softball facilities specifically and our ability to reopen responsibly. We(all) as a facility, can and should be able to reopen in a responsible, phased approach to conduct 1-on-1 lessons and small group training. Many Mayors, Assemblypeople, and Senators agree that facilities can reopen responsibly.

There is a suggested re-opening plan currently being reviewed by local and state officials and at some point, the Governor’s office.

A link to that suggested re-opening plan can be found HERE

Our greatest challenge is that we as an industry do not have a voice or representation within the Governor’s task force. We are not a gym. We are not a private tennis club. We are not an archery range, shooting range or horseback riding facility. We are not “Parks & Recreation”. We are not “main street” but we all are small family owned businesses, albeit typically large warehouse style facilities off the beaten path. So, easily overlooked and forgotten.

There are 100’s of facilities and 1000’s of employees and owners that are not getting the attention they deserve and we need to change that. If anything, we need to make sure that we are recognized uniquely and nobody within NJ’s leadership will ever forget us or overlook us again.

Call your Mayor and your District legislators and make sure they are aware that 100’s of businesses and 1000’s of employees are being overlooked simply because the Governor’s office is not properly classifying the industry and fully understanding our ability to reopen responsibly.

A list of New Jersey Legislative roster can be found HERE

A list of New Jersey Mayors can be found HERE