The use of PVC baseball in children’s playgrounds

Applicable scenarios and activities
Basic hitting game: In children’s playgrounds, a dedicated hitting area can be set up. Use PVC baseballs in combination with lightweight plastic bats to let children practice batting. For instance, at one end of the field, a pitching machine (with adjustable speed and height) is set up, allowing children to stand at designated positions and hit the PVC baseballs thrown, which can exercise their hand-eye coordination and reaction speed. It is also possible to arrange for staff or parents to throw the ball manually and interact with the children to increase the fun of the game.
Obstacle hitting Challenge: Set up some simple obstacles in the amusement park, such as plastic cone buckets, small arches, etc. Children need to hit the PVC baseball to make it pass through the gaps between obstacles or go around them. This way of playing can increase the difficulty and challenge of hitting the ball, and stimulate children’s sense of competition and spirit of exploration. For instance, set up multiple arches of different heights. Children need to accurately hit the ball through these arches. Each arch passed through can earn corresponding points.
Team batting competition: Organize children into groups to have batting competitions. Members of each group hit the PVC baseball in turn, hitting the ball to the designated area. The score is calculated based on the distance hit or the number of times the target is hit. This kind of team competition can cultivate children’s team spirit and sense of collective honor. For instance, in the amusement park, different scoring areas are demarcated. The farther the area is from the pitching point, the higher the score. Children need to work together to strive for a higher total team score.
Safety considerations
Material safety: The PVC baseballs used in children’s playgrounds should be made of materials that meet safety standards, ensuring they are non-toxic and odorless, and will not pose a threat to children’s health. PVC material should have a certain degree of flexibility and elasticity to prevent it from being too hard and causing harm to children during the hitting process. For instance, the outer PVC material of a baseball needs to undergo special treatment to enable it to deform appropriately when impacted, thereby reducing the impact force.
Size and weight: Select a PVC baseball of appropriate size and weight based on the child’s age and physical development. For younger children, smaller and lighter baseballs should be chosen so that they can hold and hit them easily. For instance, prepare PVC baseballs with a diameter of approximately 5 to 6 centimeters and a weight of around 50 to 80 grams for children aged 3 to 6. For slightly older children, the size and weight of the baseball can be appropriately increased, but it is also necessary to ensure that it is within their tolerance range.
Site safety: Ensure that the ground in the hitting area is flat and free of obstacles to prevent children from falling or colliding while running and hitting the ball. Guardrails or warning signs can be set up around the venue to remind children and parents to pay attention to safety. At the same time, the facilities and equipment in the amusement park should be inspected regularly to ensure their safety and reliability. For example, check whether the pitching machine is operating normally and whether the guardrail is firm, etc.
Maintenance and upkeep
Regular cleaning: As PVC baseballs are frequently exposed to dust, dirt and other contaminants in amusement parks, they need to be cleaned regularly. You can gently wipe the surface of the baseball with a damp cloth to remove stains. If there are stubborn stains on the surface of the baseball, an appropriate amount of neutral detergent can be used for cleaning, but attention should be paid to the amount of detergent used to avoid residue causing damage to the baseball.
Inspection and Repair: Regularly inspect the appearance and structure of the PVC baseball to check for any damage, cracks or deformations, etc. If any minor damage to the baseball is found, it can be repaired with special glue. If the damage is severe, a new baseball should be replaced in time to ensure the safety of children’s use. For instance, when cracks appear on the surface of a baseball, fill them with appropriate glue. After the glue dries, check its firmness.
Storage method: When the PVC baseball is not in use, it should be stored in a dry and well-ventilated place, avoiding direct sunlight and high-temperature environments. Baseball can be placed in a dedicated storage box or bag to prevent it from being squeezed and deformed. For instance, arrange the baseballs neatly in plastic storage boxes with ventilation holes and place them in the warehouse of the amusement park.