High school sports video has gone from a luxury to a necessity. Whether it’s livestreaming for parents, building recruiting reels for athletes, or simply documenting the season, schools now depend on reliable PTZ and broadcast cameras to capture the action. The problem? Those same cameras are fragile and, left unprotected, can quickly become costly to repair or replace.
Why Cameras Get Damaged
Even when cameras are mounted high up in gyms or along backstops, they’re not immune to damage. During live play, stray basketballs, volleyballs, or foul tips in baseball and softball can strike directly into a PTZ. After hours, kids sometimes turn the equipment into a target. At Dotworkz, we’ve seen it firsthand: for more than 10 years installing Little League and school sports systems, we’ve watched players hit balls toward a camera on the backstop just to see if they can knock it loose. It’s rarely malicious—more of a challenge—but the damage can be very real.
Then there are the less obvious issues. Dust, moisture, and cobwebs accumulate quickly in gyms and field houses, dulling footage over time. And one accidental unplugged cable can shut down a livestream in the middle of a game.
How to Keep Cameras Safe
This is where housings make all the difference. The Dotworkz D2 Base and D3 Base offer IP68 protection that seals out dust and moisture while keeping cables secure. The BASH LX is built specifically for impact-heavy environments—perfect behind hoops or near backstops. For larger broadcast cameras, the HD12 Base provides oversized space for lenses and accessories.
These housings aren’t limited to one brand either. They’re already protecting cameras from Axis, BirdDog, Panasonic, DataVideo, BZB Gear, and many others inside schools and arenas across the country.
The Bubble Lens Advantage
One overlooked part of protection is the clear bubble lens. Dotworkz bubbles are made from high-density acrylic, polycarbonate, or nylon depending on the housing model. Every lens goes through strict optical testing at our U.S. headquarters to make sure it won’t distort or soften the video. Each dome is sealed to an IP66 or better rating to block water, dust, and contaminants. They’re built for years of service but are also field-replaceable—if a bubble gets scratched or cracked, a new one can be swapped in without taking the whole system down. Replacement domes are always available through the Dotworkz store.
Tips for a Trouble-Free Season
•Match the housing to the job: D2/D3 for PTZs, BASH LX for impact zones, HD12 Base for broadcast setups.
•Keep cables locked down: Route everything inside the housing so nothing can be unplugged by accident.
•Clean bubbles regularly: A quick wipe keeps images sharp.
•Mount smart: Place cameras high and in line of sight, away from the heaviest action.
•Have backups: Keep a spare dome or housing handy for quick swaps.
Final Word
Cameras have become as much a part of high school sports as scoreboards and bleachers. Protecting them isn’t just about saving equipment—it’s about making sure the big plays, highlight reels, and memories of the season are captured without interruption. With rugged housings, tested bubble lenses, and compatibility across top brands, Dotworkz has made keeping cameras safe simple—and that means videographers can focus on the game, not on whether their gear will survive it.