Huber Ranch Facility in Seguin

[93players]

Nice to see a new place to play softball with 200 foot fences. Four things concern me about the park. There is no place to warm up so alot of teams are getting ready in a piecemeal fashion. The lack of higher fences around the foul lines from the dugout to the outfield causes way to many foul balls to leave the fields. 2-3 balls threaten those watching another game per inning. You can be hit from any angle. Too dangerous for me. The brick half wall behind home plate is a problem for game play. Balls bounce back in too many unpredictable ways. Some right back to the catcher, some hit an angle and fly towards 1st or 3rd. Also, the wall presents a hazard for catchers. I would prefer a chain link fence any day. The complex needs to put pads on those walls. Also, the green painted wood fences at 5 feet all around the park look great but fielders trying to get fly balls need to be very careful.

Any other reactions?

[DonnieS]

There is no place to warm up so alot of teams are getting ready in a piecemeal fashion. The lack of higher fences around the foul lines from the dugout to the outfield causes way to many foul balls to leave the fields. 2-3 balls threaten those watching another game per inning. You can be hit from any angle. Too dangerous for me. The complex needs to put pads on those walls. Also, the green painted wood fences at 5 feet all around the park look great but fielders trying to get fly balls need to be very careful.

Any other reactions?

We warm up in the area - i think its to the north west of the main parking lot, the kids call it 'Egypt', works for us, but it will be better when they get the grass planted.

Also - pads on the brick walls, sounds good.

The foul balls issue, jeez, where is an example of a softball complex where that isnt a problem ? I took one in the jaw at St. Mary's University two weeks ago, still sore, ball came over the top of the backstop, bounced off the step in front of me. But maybe if someone knows a field where we are protected better from foul balls, we could point it out to the Huber ranch guys, they are very responsive.

[TexasYellowBall]

The brick walls are a danger, due to the height and the sharp edges. They should try to find a safe and good cosmetic fix.

Foul balls are dangerous at most fields (except Ford Field), but Huber and old Seguin Park have real safety issues ( in ref. to fouls). The alleys are real close and if you are watching from either baseline, then your will get hit with a line drive or fly. Also the players are at risk of getting hit with a fly ball from another field.

Higher backstops with a 45 would be a huge help. I would not do anything about the alleys, (stand at your own risk) except for the alley when you enter the park. I think safety nets should be installed. I have seen some real hard balls hit towards the main gate towards people walking to fields in the back.

This complex is nice, but just like anything there can be improvements. But they are not free, so give them awhile to raise a little money. Iam sure they have a plan after this first season.

[DonnieS]

>> except Ford Field), <<

Is Ford Field the one out at Beaumont? I have seen those before but we havent played there yet.

We like Huber a lot, but our favorite area to play is Houston, north, Spring Klein, Tomball (burroughs), etc. Any time we can, we play Huber, close hotels, the IHOP makes my omelots just like I like them, and Chili's has the grilled salmon , isnt that what tournaments are all about, the food, and I really like Seguin.

Most TDs in central texas and also in the Houston area really make us feel welcome at their tournaments, but Johnny, Abel, et al, really do a good job.

[txfpmom]

Make sure you have your girls wear pants when they play at Huber Ranch. The diamond dirt that they use is very rough and will tear up knees, elbows, and legs with even the slightest contact. I know that diamond dirt is useful, especially in wet conditions, but I think they need to mix it with more "regular dirt" at Huber Ranch. The girls saying it is like playing on glass!

DD's injuries are still trying to heal from playing there over a month ago.

[smmartin]

I heard that the pads were on order and should be in place by spring. The diamond pro is a little ruff but what i have noticed as the girls get older almost every team wears pants, now that being said those nice wood fences make it very hot in the summer. We played there this somer and there is no breeze in those feilds. They become very hot very fast, but on the flip side they cut the cold wind down in the fall winter so its a 50/50 tossup. I personally would rather have it cool in the summer because that is when most of softball is played.Also they are working on warm up and play areas.

[onedownonetogo]

They are hosting their first college showcase in January 2009. Why are only a couple of teams are approved? Will any college coaches actually show up? Seems like a remote location to hold a college showcse.

[TexasYellowBall]

A Great new complex, that is run terrible.

DD played in the "High School" tournament over the weekend. This was a big joke. Do not call it a HS tourny if you let travel teams play.

Had two coachs approach and ask if they could borrow a player. One coach said he cleared it with the TD, but said the TD said to be sure to not let any other team find out. This coach said he would pick the player to play, and they could switch uniforms where know one would know. The weird thing about it, is that we were about to play this coachs team. Of course we said NO.

Iam not against pick up players, but this was against the rules. The coach was able to find a player to pick up for his team. That girl played on two different teams several times during the tournament. Also girls from this team played on another team many times.This team appeared to be somehow connected to Huber ranch owners. There seem to be a lot of back door and brother-in-lawing going on at Huber Ranch.

We have played our last tourny at this complex, as a HS team and on DD travel team.