FAQ’s 

Frequently asked questions

Frequently Asked Questions

As a new and unique activity we appreciate there are a lot of questions to be asked! 

See the answers to our most commonly asked questions.

 

Do I have to pre-book?

Yes! All bookings should be made via the website booking system at least 3 hours in advance. If you arrive without a booking we will try to accommodate you however it is unlikely we will have availability last minute.

Is there an age limit?

You need to be at least 10 years old to enter the batting cage. You are welcome to bring younger children but please be aware they will only be able to spectate.

All children under the age of 17 must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Is there parking nearby?

Yes there is pay and display parking along East Street itself and also a Eastgate Multistorey Car Park is large car park directly opposite the venue (and the best value for money).

Is there a minimum/maximum group size?

Yes there is a minimum group size of 2 people. For a 1 hour session, the maximum group size is 8. For a standard 2 hour session, the maximum group size is 12.

For groups larger than 12 you can book a premium session or contact us for a bespoke event. We can accommodate groups of up to 35 people and we regularly host corporate groups, clubs and more.

What are your cancellation conditions?

We appreciate booking activities can be difficult with the unpredictability of COVID.

In the unfortunate circumstance that you need to amend/cancel a booking we offer a flexible policy of:

– Full refund for amendments/cancellations with more than 24 hours notice

– Credit/re-arranged session for more than 3 hours notice.

What happens if I am late?

Unfortunately as we run our bookings back-to-back we cannot delay or extend sessions for late parties. If you are late then you will lose that time in the cage. So make sure to arrive nice and early and plan your travel in advance!

How early do we have to arrive before our session?

Please ensure all participants arrive at least 5 minutes prior to your session start time. This is so you can receive the pre-session safety briefing. If you do not arrive early enough then the briefing will eat into your cage time (safety briefing is mandatory).

How many balls to you get to hit?

Our pitching machine can pitch a ball roughly every 10 seconds. So if you ran it constantly then thats about 360 balls in an hour. If you hit sets of 10 and have a 30 second break after each set, then in an hour a group can expect on average 280 balls. So depending on how many people in your group then this will dictate how many balls you get to hit each. It’s all very casual and so you can use the time however you want (some people hitting more than others if required).

We limit the numbers per hour as groups larger than this would result in not many balls per person and wait times that are too long.

Is there any last minute availability / Can I book for today or this evening?

For super last minute availability please call 0808 164 1010. Due to staffing and scheduling arrangements we do not normally have last minute slots available however on the rare occasion there sometimes are available slots.

Can I bring my own bat?

No, you are not permitted to bring your own baseball bat however you are allowed to bring any other accessories such as protective clothing, helmets and gloves.

Can I bring my own food or drink?

Unfortunately we do not allow any external food or drink on-site. This is in order to comply with premises license conditions and hygiene reasons. (The only exception to this is birthday cakes; feel free to bring a cake – just save us a slice!)

We offer hotdogs (including a veggie option) and fries at the bar. There is also a small selection of light snacks available for purchase on site as well as a fully licensed bar for drinks.

I’ve never done anything baseball related/I don’t know the rules of baseball, does this matter?

We welcome players of any ability or experience level. Even if you’ve never even picked up a baseball bat we can guide you through the basics and you’ll be hitting home runs in no-time! At the start of each session there is a short briefing, there are simple ‘How to’ guides available and also our friendly staff are always happy to give advice if requested.

If I am injured/pregnant/have a pre-existing medical condition can I participate?

If you are injured/heavily pregnant/have a pre-existing medical condition we do not recommend you participate however it is up to you to assess the risk. We are not physicians and hence we cannot tell you if participating may exacerbate an existing injury. If you are in any doubt about your physical ability in relation to participating then we advise you not to take part.

Do I need to wear anything in particular?

If you are taking it super seriously then feel free to turn up in full sports gear. However in reality as long as the clothing you are wearing doesn’t restrict your movement then it should be fine.

What payment methods do you accept on-site?

We are a cash-less venue and so do not take cash on-site. All drinks and snacks should be paid for using credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex).

Is the venue suitable for wheelchair access?

Unfortunately our current venues are not 100% wheelchair friendly (due to building age/layout). This is something that we are trying our best to rectify with future locations and our ultimate aim is a fully inclusive venue. For more information or any other queries about accessibility please email info@1stbase.co.uk

 

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