We are excited to announce the winner of our Jennie Finch VIP package.  Congratulations to Mykala Dimond!

Just because you’re not our VIP, doesn’t mean your not a winner.  Remember, everyone who registered is entitled to up to 4 tickets to come meet Jennie Finch, see her speak, and stay for the baseball game absolutely free!  Additionally Jennie will be signing autographs during the game, we’ll be raffling off a Jennie Finch USA jersey, and there will be fireworks after the game.  It’ll be a great night for everyone and best of all its 100% free!

We’ll begin distributing tickets at 4PM on Saturday September 5th at Campanelli Stadium.  Doors will open at 4:30 and Jennie will be speaking and answering questions at 5pm, followed by the first pitch at 6PM.

Keep spreading the word!  Tickets are still available by registering at www.ondecksports.com/jenniefich.  We’ll also be using this list of registrants to give away another autographed Jennie Finch USA jersey.

Saturday September 5th is just over 1 week away. Can’t wait to see you at Campanelli Stadium in Brockton, MA!

Softball Superstar Aligns with Company as Spokesperson & Partner through Jennie Finch Powerline Pitching Mat

Softball Superstar Jennie Finch joins ProMounds/On Deck Sports

Brockton, MA. – ProMounds Inc., the parent company of On Deck Sports, today announced that it has welcomed Olympic gold medalist Jennie Finch as the newest member of its Professional Staff Team.  ProMounds is a leading manufacturer of baseball and softball products.

“Jennie’s talent, experience and insight into the game of softball, especially the pitching technique, make her an invaluable asset to our team,” stated Joe Murphy, founder and president of ProMounds.

Through this relationship, Finch and ProMounds have joined together to produce the Jennie Finch Powerline Pitching Mat. The mat’s design includes a powerline that keeps a player’s pitching motion consistent on every pitch, and a slide proof backing that ensures a safe training session on any surface.  Finch and ProMounds will also be working together on a number of events around the country.

“I’m very excited about my partnership with ProMounds & On Deck Sports, especially our creation of the Powerline Pitching Mat as it’s an amazing tool for pitchers at any level,” stated Finch. “I can carry the mat wherever I go and know I’ll always have a realistic surface for practice.  It’s the perfect tool to refine and develop your technique, whether you’re just starting out, or pitching your country to an Olympic medal.”

The Powerline Pitching Mat is now available at www.ondecksports.com, along with information on the company’s upcoming event with Finch.

Finch is one of America’s best-known female athletes. Her success in softball began in high school where she earned multiple honors.  During her college career at the University of Arizona, Finch was a two-time (2001 & 2002) winner of the Honda Award for Softball, presented to nation’s best player.  In addition, she was twice named PAC-10 Pitcher of the Year, was a two-time NFCA First-Team All American and holds the NCAA record for consecutive wins (60).  Finch also helped Arizona reach the NCAA Women’s College World Series in each of her four years, winning the championship in 2001.  After college, her achievements continued on the international level as Finch won numerous medals, including gold at the 2004 Olympics and, most recently, silver as a member of the USA Softball Team in the Beijing Olympics.

About ProMounds, Inc.:

Over the last eight years, ProMounds has grown into a leading manufacturer of baseball and softball products.  Former Division I college baseball player and high school coach Joe Murphy began the company in 2001 with a portable pitching mound.  Since then, the company has launched its retail division, On Deck Sports, and expanded its offerings to include netting, gym and physical education equipment and strength and conditioning products.  Additionally, its products and services include synthetic grass for high-end landscaping and artificial turf removal, as well as supply.  It has also designed and constructed nearly 400 indoor baseball and softball training facilities throughout the United States, and provided artificial turf to groups around the world, including U.S. troops.  Based in Massachusetts, ProMounds staff consists of professionals with years of experience in all levels and areas of sports.

www.ProMounds.com

Convenience and aesthetics. These are the two reasons that come to mind whenever people discuss artificial lawn, and with good reason.  The latest and greatest artificial grass looks amazing, and is virtually maintenance free. For many people this alone, is reason enough to make the investment. Dig a little deeper, however, and you’ll find another reason. This “investment” is going save you money.

Its estimated that upwards of 50% of all household water consumption is used outdoors on lawns and gardens.  In hotter climates, that number can easily jump to over 70%.  With the average family of 4 using about 600 gallons of water daily, and water rates rising all the time, cutting your consumption in half with artificial grass has the potential to save over $400 annually.

With new synthetic grass prices starting over $2/sq ft, cost could still be a deterrent.  In steps local government. Municipalities have forever been looking for ways to conserve  water.  In recent years water departments across the country have begun to encourage conservation by instituting rebate programs, subsidizing the purchase and installation of artificial lawn.

The state of Nevada has been the leader in such efforts.

“The Southern Nevada Water Authority announced in May 2008 they had reached 100 million square feet of converted landscape – saving in excess of 6 billion gallons of water, now available for other uses … THE most successful conservation rebate program in the USA, SNWA’s a great example of how, through planning and administration, self-funding rebate programs can help US citizens make great choices to reduce or eliminate waste of water and other natural resources”

Nevada offers residents rebates of $1.50/sq ft for the first 5000 square feet of natural grass removed and $1/sq ft beyond 5000 sq feet. This is the equivalent to a half off sale on artificial turf for residents.

Other warm weather states such as Arizona and California are also leading the charge in water conservation, and offering major rebates to those replacing natural grass with synthetic. Counties in California offer discounts ranging from $.30 to $.75 per sq foot and in Arizona individual cities and towns are offering rebates up to $1500. All areas have different processes and restrictions, so be sure to check with your local water department before making any purchases.

More and more states are developing rebate programs all the time,  check out http://www.asgi.us for an up to date list.

Instead of breaking your back getting the lawn looking good for the summer, maybe its time to save some green by going green.

References: http://www.snwa.com/html/cons_wsl.html, http://www.socalwatersmart.com, http://www.bewaterwise.com, http://dpw.lacounty.gov/wwd/web/rebates.cfm

For the past 7 years On Deck Sports/ProMounds has been an industry leader in baseball supplies, sports facility infrastructure, and artificial turf.  Like any successful business, we’ve learned a lot in that time, and our associates have an unmatched expertise in the field.  The question is though, what’s the best way to share this information with the world?  A blog of course!  In the future this will be your place to get answers about anything from pitching machines, to synthetic grass, to what makes the best safety netting for my sailboat(#36 Twisted Nylon).  Check back often for the latest updates and news from On Deck Sports.