39 replies to this topic

[67Chevy]

Keep your eyes open. A new baseball/softball facility is coming to Lima. Don't want to give out too much info, as the paperwork won't be signed until the end of the week, but I can tell you it's going to be pretty cool. Full indoor infield...cages, pitching machines, lessons, hitting leagues, etc. As soon as I'm "allowed" to give specifics, I'll post them here.

Edited by 67Chevy, 17 January 2009 - 10:49 PM.

[JackCord4]

I heard last year that Neuko was was interested in possibly building an indoor facility for baseball/softball.

[67Chevy]

Nothing involved with Neuko....my brother-in-law is moving back here from Columbus to start it. It's being modeled after the many facilities like this they have down there. I'll keep you up to date....as soon as he gives me the ok to share more, I will

[JackCord4]

That's good to hear. I am anxious to know the details. Sports Unlimited is a nice facility to hit in but the area needs a bigger place to throw and do defense practice. Will it be big enough to hold indoor games for winter leagues and/or tournaments?

When is he going to start hiring? MY DAUGHTER NEEDS A JOB!!!!!

[67Chevy]

It will have an infield with 60-70' bases depending on what fits......basically an infield with no outfield. In Columbus, they play games on fields like this...there is a net for the outfield wall. There is a line on the net...if you hit it above it, it's a fly out...if you hit it below it's played like a ground ball to the outfield...only there are no outfielders...the infielders make the plays. Not quite a regulation game...but better than no game at all for the winter months. He's also going to have hitting leagues in the cage.

[JackCord4]

I saw something similar to that on the Internet and they called it Arena Softball. It looked like a good time.

[tazmaster5]

This must be like Sportsite over of Henderson.
They play Fastpitch Softball, mens/womens/coed softball and alot of baseball instruction and games.
Bases used tobe 55 feet and there are tubs on the nets. Left and Right field tubs (imagine a plastic kids pool) are triples and one straight up the middle is a homerun. Above line in the middle portion of the net is a double in the air hitting the net, below line is single. Anything that touchesthe back net is a single. No true outfielder. You have back corners like a deep shortstop and second baseman. It was fun and actually helps improving yourline drive hitting.

[slice slice baby]

It's Thursday...I'm waiting with bated breath, chevy!

[Coach Rhoades]

This must be like Sportsite over of Henderson.
They play Fastpitch Softball, mens/womens/coed softball and alot of baseball instruction and games.
Bases used tobe 55 feet and there are tubs on the nets. Left and Right field tubs (imagine a plastic kids pool) are triples and one straight up the middle is a homerun. Above line in the middle portion of the net is a double in the air hitting the net, below line is single. Anything that touchesthe back net is a single. No true outfielder. You have back corners like a deep shortstop and second baseman. It was fun and actually helps improving yourline drive hitting.

So thats where you learned to hit it to right on a rope!!! lol...

[tazmaster5]

So thats where you learned to hit it to right on a rope!!! lol...

Well thank you Coach...much appreciated.
Wait, heeyyyyy now......

[67Chevy]

Talked last night. There's 1 minor change being made to the lease. He's hoping to get in the building by next Weekend and be open by Saturday the 7th. The lease may be signed as soon as tomorrow. As soon as it's done, I'll give you the particulars.....location/name..etc.

[dawger]

Sounds like a winner to me!

Will this be for general public, too?

This is good, because it seems like baseball is kind of losing its luster compared to football and basketball (but maybe not so much around this area). Great stuff Chevy and Good Luck to you and your brother-in-law and anybody else involved!

[brentwood]

Sounds like a winner to me!

Will this be for general public, too?

This is good, because it seems like baseball is kind of losing its luster compared to football and basketball (but maybe not so much around this area). Great stuff Chevy and Good Luck to you and your brother-in-law and anybody else involved!

I actually think baseball is on the upswing in the area, although it is nowhere near where it could be. I think it is more that the parents continue to push basketball and football over baseball. 10-20 years ago, there were only a handful of area kids playing college baseball. While there should be twice as many as their currently are, the numbers are slowly climbing.

Parents think that their 6'2" post player will play in college just because they average 15 points in the SLL or BVC or PCL. Baseball is so great because great athletes have no ceiling and average athletes can find their niche as well. Defiance is a great example. The Niese and Billingsley kids probably would have been swayed to play football or basketball at many other schools and given up baseball at an early age. Neither one of those kids would stand out at all in those sports, but baseball gave them a chance to do great things.

There are so many great athletes at places like L-B, LCC, Columbus Grove, Findlay, Kalida, Fostoria, O-G, Crestview, etal. that were great on their little league teams, then either gave up baseball or got their hopes up too high for basketball or football. Most of those kids end up not playing anything in college when baseball would have definitely been their best chance at a future in sports.

Even kids like Craft from L-B or Orsbon from Crestview that are getting full rides at Division I schools are going to be done when their college careers are over. Those were two kids that could have played for a living after college if they had focused on baseball instead. As for most kids, they are paying their entire tuition and playing pick-up basketball instead of continuing their careers on the diamond.

[bballcat]

Great post Brentwood. Can't agree with you more.

My son is 6'3" and everyone thought he should concentrate on basketball. He loves baseball and now will get his chance to play college baseball because of this and he never would have if he would have concentrated on basketball.

[Hayes Cooper]

My thoughts exactly Brentwood . Very good post. I would rather see a three sport star, than to see a kid that is just concentraiting on one sport when he is just as good or who knows ( better ) in another. Sometimes coaches think of themselves more than the all around individual talents of the kids. Maybe OHSSA should start enforcing thier rules about which sport you can play at certain times of the year. In which I mean by that, is no coaching for 12 months at a time.

[dawger]

I actually think baseball is on the upswing in the area, although it is nowhere near where it could be. I think it is more that the parents continue to push basketball and football over baseball. 10-20 years ago, there were only a handful of area kids playing college baseball. While there should be twice as many as their currently are, the numbers are slowly climbing.

Parents think that their 6'2" post player will play in college just because they average 15 points in the SLL or BVC or PCL. Baseball is so great because great athletes have no ceiling and average athletes can find their niche as well. Defiance is a great example. The Niese and Billingsley kids probably would have been swayed to play football or basketball at many other schools and given up baseball at an early age. Neither one of those kids would stand out at all in those sports, but baseball gave them a chance to do great things.

There are so many great athletes at places like L-B, LCC, Columbus Grove, Findlay, Kalida, Fostoria, O-G, Crestview, etal. that were great on their little league teams, then either gave up baseball or got their hopes up too high for basketball or football. Most of those kids end up not playing anything in college when baseball would have definitely been their best chance at a future in sports.

Even kids like Craft from L-B or Orsbon from Crestview that are getting full rides at Division I schools are going to be done when their college careers are over. Those were two kids that could have played for a living after college if they had focused on baseball instead. As for most kids, they are paying their entire tuition and playing pick-up basketball instead of continuing their careers on the diamond.

How do you know if those athletes did not decide on the sport(s) they love? A guy's best sport and passion don't always go hand in hand. However, still a great post, man!

[67Chevy]

gumshoe....I think you're talking about Todd Schumaker....Brad played baseball too, but wasn't nearly the player Todd was....

as far as the facility....could be "official" as early as tomorrow...depending on the paperwork issue. The plan is to work thru next weekend and be open the following weekend. Hitting leagues will start immediately. Depending on how fast it comes together, more than likely will be with live pitching in the cages, but possibly with the infield if it's ready in time.

[67Chevy]

Meeting tomorrow with the owners. The preliminary work (by the owners) is done inside the building. If all goes well tomorrow, the lease could be signed by tomorrow night. If that's the case, I'll have the name, location and some details by this time tomorrow.

[slice slice baby]