Bill Veeck, a colourful owner of multiple Major League Baseball franchises during the 20th century, once said only two seasons existed B次元官网网址� winter and baseball. The indoor baseball training facility in Central SaanichB次元官网网址檚 Centennial Park has changed that calendar in favour of baseball.
Opened in July 2020, the facility has given the 400 players of Central Saanich Little League, and another 400 associated with other baseball and softball groups, a chance to hone their skills regardless of the weather.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 fantastic to have a building that we can go into seven days a week, 365 days a year,B次元官网网址� said league president Morley Wittman. B次元官网网址淚t has allowed us to have kids come in and have some fun 12 months of the year instead of just having the typical four-to-five month season.B次元官网网址�
Winter, ironically, drove construction of the steel building B次元官网网址� a cycle of snow and rain destroyed the leagueB次元官网网址檚 batting cage in 2016. B次元官网网址淚t was quite a collapse and instead of rebuilding right away, we decided to (create) something that would last long-term,B次元官网网址� he said.
The league eventually approached the District of Central Saanich, as well as a long list of local businesses with its plans to build something more permanent.
More than two years after the idea was first pitched, the facility worth an estimated $335,000 opened in July 2020. Users can close off sections of the 2,800-square-foot facility for batting practice or use it for fielding drills.
Less measurable, but perhaps more valuable has been the facilityB次元官网网址檚 impact on the broader sense of belonging.
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Central Saanich Little LeagueB次元官网网址檚 focus is to build up children, families and the community, Wittman said. B次元官网网址淭his facility is a great addition to that, because it allows kids to come together more often and feel like that they belong as part of a community.B次元官网网址�
Even the fundraising process strengthened such ties. Various local business owners said they had played baseball at the park in past years, Wittman said, B次元官网网址渁nd now their kids are playing.B次元官网网址�
Businesses without a personal connection also stepped up to the plate, sharing the leagueB次元官网网址檚 vision of building community, he added. In the end, 34 businesses and organizations contributed, with donations and grants ranging from $500 to more than $20,000.
The joint effort it took to get this well-utilized facility off the ground B次元官网网址渢ies everybody together,B次元官网网址� Wittman said.
Its players, in turn, have experienced positive effects from the presence of the facility.
While skill and athlete development is not the leagueB次元官网网址檚 primary focus, Wittman said, B次元官网网址渢here is no doubt that extra time spent with good coaching inside does help to increase the calibre of player. We are seeing those results on the field. Kids are having more fun because they are able to play the game a little bit better.B次元官网网址�
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