Batting Cages
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday: 5:00pm-8:00pm
Saturday: If open, hours will be 10am–5:pm (Please see schedule below)
Sunday: If open, hours will be 12-5:pm (Please see schedule below)
Holidays: CLOSED
Phone (during hours of operation): 812-341-4057
To reserve the cages for your softball/baseball teams, please contact Collin Lollar at clollar@columbus.in.gov or via phone at 812-375-2741.
Lincoln Park Batting Cages are located in Lincoln Park and contain 6 machines available for use. The batting cage facilities are available April – October as weather permits and are utilized by residents and non-residents alike as well as by our local Babe Ruth baseball league and travel tournaments.
- 2 slowpitch softball machines
- 2 fastpitch softball machines
- 2 baseball machines
- Team and private rentals
Fees:
- 1 token for $2
- 3 tokens for $5
- 7 tokens for $10 (15 balls for each token)
Hours may vary due to inclement weather, league times and/or tournaments. Cages are closed on major holidays as observed by the City of Columbus. August through October of each year, the cages have decreased hours due to low usage. Schedules for those months will be posted above. View our Facebook page for cancellations due to weather.
Disc Golf
The Columbus Parks and Rec Disc Golf Course is located in Donner Park. The course is free and open usage from dawn until dusk and has both 9 basket and 18 basket round options. For additional details on our course, course map, and scorecards, please see our course page on UDisc.com.
For course reservations, please send an inquiry to parks@columbus.in.gov
Dynamic Disc Trilogy Challenge
Sunday, July 20 | Donner Park Disc Golf Course
Watch our Facebook for more information as it becomes available!
Inclusive/Adaptive Sports
Kickball Buddies
Ages 5+ | Sundays | July 13 & July 20 | 1-2pm | $20
Kickball Buddies is a 2 week program for kids/young adults with special needs who would like to learn how to play kickball and want to make new friends! Participants are paired with buddies that will assist with skills such as kicking, running the bases, and fielding. Players are encouraged to bring their own equipment (especially if modified), but we will provide for those that need it! Want to volunteer? Reach out to Seth Rice at srice@columbus.in.gov!
Registration: June 9 – July 11
Soccer Buddies
Ages 5+ | Sundays | September 7-28 | 1-2pm | $20
Please download the Remind code TBD for updates on Soccer Buddies.
This four-week clinic is for children and adults with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities. Players will be paired with non-disabled buddies that will assist the players with taking the field to work on skills such as dribbling, shooting, and passing. Players are encouraged to bring their own equipment (especially if modified) but we will provide for those that need it!
Registration: August 4-29
Basketball Buddies
Ages 5+ | Sundays | Dates TBD | 1–2 pm | St. Peter’s | $20
Please download the Remind code TBD for updates on Basketball Buddies.
Basketball Buddies is a 4 week program for kids/young adults with special needs who would like to learn fundamental basketball skills and make new friends! Participants are paired with buddies that will assist with skills such as dribbling, shooting, and passing.
Players are encourage to bring their own equipment (especially if modified) but we will provide for those that need it!
Registration: TBD
Jack Cramer – Ideals of Athletic Competition Award
This award program is dedicated to the memory of John H. (Jack) Cramer, an outstanding local athlete, who throughout his lifetime fully demonstrated what we have termed the Ideals of Athletic Competition. Below is a composite of these ideals.
Dedication – by dedicating oneself to the purpose of winning the competition while on the field of athletic competition.
Preparation – by preparing oneself for the competition through practice and mental and physical conditioning to the highest level of one’s potential.
Determination – by pursuing the conduct of the game with a tenacious determination from start to finish of the assigned encounter.
Maximum Exertion – by exerting oneself through personal desire and the natural exhilaration of the competition to the limit of one’s speed and endurance.
Team Contribution – by serving the interests of the team in offering encouragement and acceptance to those of lesser ability; in offering the certainty of one’s efforts and interest to those of greater ability; and thereby retaining the faith of those teammates in the constancy of one’s purpose in fulfilling the assigned role.
Fair Play – by observing the spirit and letter of the game rules without regard to which competitor an individual rule may favor at any one moment of the play.
Sportsmanship – by conducting oneself in such a manner which, in victory, serves to enhance one’s own accomplishment; which, in defeat, does not diminish the accomplishment of one’s opponent; and which, in either event, allows sportsmanship to grace the efforts of all those engaging in the contest.
2024 Award Recipients
Steve Souder and Sarah Frasier
Nomination Instructions
- Consider carefully the proposed candidate and be certain in your own mind that he or she truly qualifies for this award. Separate awards will be given for a male and female senior high through adult aged athlete, coach or organizer. Candidates must live or work in Bartholomew County.
- Fill out the Nomination Form as thoroughly and accurately as possible.
- Nomination forms can be dropped off, emailed or mailed:
Drop off – NexusPark, 2252 25th Street, entrance 2, Columbus, IN 47201
Email – with Jack Cramer Nomination Form in the subject line.
Mail – Ideals of Athletic Competition Award Program
Columbus Parks and Recreation Department
P.O. Box 858
Columbus, IN 47202 - The forms for 2025 must be received by the Selection Committee by June 18. Nominations received after June 18 will not be considered.
- Be prepared to meet the Selection Committee if requested to do so. Learn as much as you can about your candidate and be prepared to present your information accurately and concisely.
- When scheduled to meet with the Selection Committee, arrive promptly at the appointed time.
Facility Rentals
There are a number of facilities that contain diamonds, courts and fields available for rent within the department. While we prioritize the rental of those spaces around our parks department run recreational leagues, and our contracts with our user groups, there are options available for private rentals.
If you are interested in renting an outdoor sports facility, fill out this form.
Plan Your Outdoor Tournament
The department is very fortunate to have first-class facilities and crew, and as such, are able to run first-class tournaments each year in cooperation with our professional Tournament Directors! As a department we host and hold tournaments for baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse and rugby. While the benefits to the department, City of Columbus, and Bartholomew County (in addition to surrounding counties) are countless, we wanted to share some highlights with you!
- National Exposure – Teams travel from all over to participate in our events annually not just because of our facilities but also the welcoming environment of the City of Columbus.
- Economic Impact – On average, a direct spending impact to Bartholomew County of over $12 million dollars occurs annually. Of that $12 million dollars, approximately $8.5 million is generated as a result of sports events hosted by our department. Our events bring in almost 65,000 visitors to Bartholomew County. This all translates to an increase in business to our hotels, restaurants and businesses in the community.
- Recognition – The Lincoln Park Complex was recognized by both the National Softball Association (NSA) and USSSA, as complex of the year. Each year, staff is recognized for their efforts in diamond and turf management and are continually told by tournament directors that their efforts are second to none.
Types of Sports Facility Rentals:
- Baseball Tournaments & Diamond Rentals
- Softball Tournaments & Diamond Rentals
- Soccer Tournaments & Field Rentals
- Lacrosse Tournaments & Field Rentals
- Rugby Tournaments & Field Rentals
- Batting Cage Rentals
Blackwell Park/Dick Wigh Soccer Complex
Location: Intersection of Westenedge Street and Parkside Drive (Parkside School sits on the park)
- Barbecue Areas (2), Green Space, Parking Areas (3), People Trails, Picnic Tables and Benches, Playground (1), Press Box, Restrooms (2), Shelter (1), Soccer Fields (30+)
- Non-Tournament Pricing Sheet (PDF)
- Tournament Pricing Sheet (PDF)
Lincoln Park
Location: 2501 Lincoln Park Drive
- Barbecue Areas (6), Basketball Court (1) – Lighted, Batting Cage – 2 Baseball, 2 Slowpitch, and 2 Fastpitch, Green Space, Parking Areas (6), People Trails, Picnic Tables and Benches, Playground (1), Restrooms (2), Softball Fields (6) – Lighted, Tennis Courts (4) – Lighted
- Non-Tournament Pricing Sheet (PDF)
- Tournament Pricing Sheet (PDF)
Clifty Park
Location: Indiana Avenue and Marr Road (across from Columbus East High School)
- Baseball Diamonds (10), Fastpitch Fields (4), Green Space, Parking Areas (3), People Trails, Picnic Tables and Benches, Playground (1), Restrooms (1), Shelter (2), Volleyball Courts (4) – Lighted
- Non-Tournament Pricing Sheet (PDF)
- Tournament Pricing Sheet (PDF)
Chuck Wilt Youth Scholarship Program
Recipients of the Chuck Wilt Youth Scholarship Program can be approved for $200.00 per child per calendar year. If you do not use the full $200.00 by December 31, the balance will go back into the scholarship program. Families can apply each calendar year.
Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible for the Chuck Wilt Youth Scholarship Program, all families must show proof of residency in Bartholomew County and proof that the child is under their care (School document, Medical or Insurance document, Birth Certificate, Social Security card, Hoosier Healthwise card, most recent 1040 with dependents).
Families will also need to show proof of receiving at least one of the following:
- Social Security Supplemental or Disability Income
- Public assistance through the Division of Family Resources, i.e., Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Food Stamps
- Free lunch assistance through the local schools
- Public assistance through the City of Columbus Housing Authority
- Hoosier Healthwise Card
OR - If a family has foster children in their household, we will need to see foster paperwork.
Guidelines:
- Scholarship Amount – Individuals are eligible for a maximum of $200.00 per child for the calendar year.
- Scholarships will be awarded only as funds are available.
- Children under the age of 18 are eligible for a scholarship.
- Eligible programs – All Parks and Recreation programs. Scholarship does not cover season passes, private instruction, daily admission, equipment rentals and tickets to local events.
- Families residing in Bartholomew County are eligible.
- Scholarships are available for immediate members of a family or foster children who live with the family throughout the year. Scholarships are not available for friends or relatives visiting or staying for a period of time. Scholarships for such individuals should be submitted by the parent/guardian for that family, if applicable.
- Approval of the scholarship is subject to verification of the information provided with the application.
- Applicants will receive notification or approval or denial via phone within 7 business days from the date of the application.
- The Columbus Parks and Recreation Department reserves the right to revoke admission to a facility, program, or activity for misuse or cause.
If you would like to apply, you will need to fill out our scholarship application and email it to parks@columbus.in.gov or return it to NexusPark (2252 25th St – Entrance 2, Columbus, IN 47201) with the eligibility required paperwork above. Call NexusPark (812-376-2680) if you have questions.
Chuck Wilt Youth Scholarship Application (PDF)
