Bo Jackson --- What are your thoughts?

[24GahannaLadyLions7]

I was wondering from those who participated in these "friendlies" this past weekend, what did you think? Format, facility, etc


I didn't have a girl participating, but I wanted to take a look at the facility and watch a few girls and teams that I knew. I was really impressed with the facility. Reminded me of the Rosemont Dome in Chicago.. Pretty sure it is the same size, but the setup is a bit different. The softball field could host a 6 on 6 tournament, but they played 9, but the CF was 5 feet from 2nd base. They also used some of the soccer field to play another 10U which was fine, but again should of only had 6 on 6, I thought. I think they used a real ball for indoors, it could have been a restricted flight ball, but I don't think so since I saw more than a few shots. The baseball field which the older girls were using was nice size. Definitely could play a full indoor tourney on this field, but there is only one of those. ---- Probably 8-10 hitting tunnels to hit in and ample warm-up space on the soccer fields.

I wanted my youngest to participate in the 10U friendly, but couldn't get past the $400 entry for only 3 games with 55min drop dead. I know they aren't gearing toward hosting tournaments, but just trying to show the place for this 1st event. After talking to the SB director, they might be looking into hosting a few Midnight madness tournaments which will be exciting.

They had tons of workers walking around making sure everything ran smoothly. As soon as you walk in they ask if they can direct you or if you need help with anything which was nice.

Softball Director Ranae Bart is super nice and got back to me very quickly on questions I had through email. Her softball staff is loaded with former college stars and available for lessons also.

It is a bit pricey for me, but wow, it is an awesome facility.

Rental Fee -- $175 hr for softball field
Rental Fee -- $225 hr for baseball field

 

[Crush03]

We were in the 14u age group and had signed up early on. We played one game on the baseball field and two on the softball field and obviously enjoyed the baseball field over the softball field. The softball field just isn't big enough for 9 v 9.

The drop dead time kept all the games on time and we didn't start any of our games past the starting time.

The Pro Grass was a lot better than the normal turf we have seen. It reduced the bounce you normally see on a turf field.

I am not sure if the umpires they had worked a lot of indoor tournaments. The last game we played the ump was allowing teams to catch it off the net behind the back stop and down the foul lines for an out.

As stated above there was plenty of warm up area. They also had a space made for teams to leave their equipment behind a partition.

One issue that should rectify on its own once the place is completed was the availability of restrooms. Since the restrooms were not completed they had Porta Potties. From what I heard you didn't want to go in them.

I am not sure if they are going to have concessions once it is completed but the food trucks were nice although more expensive than a concession stand. I thought I was at a Reds game when I spent $7 on a brat.

Overall our team enjoyed the day. We took it for what it was and got some live pitching, hitting and fielding in that we wouldn't have otherwise. The $400 was pricey seeing that we played only 2 hours and 45 minutes total. If the price came down or we got to play more I am sure we would do it again

Once the place is finished it's going to be very nice inside.

 

[Pacerdad57]

I thought the faculty was top notch, but it should be for that price point. The restroom situation will definitely sort itself out.
The ump we had for the early 16u games was pretty doggone good. Some of the others not so much as I understand. Not surprising from some that I saw.
Hopefully prices will settle in better after some time is on the facility, but it's a nice place for some winter ball. All in all it was enjoyable, the prices were fairly normal for food trucks, but I thought the quality of what we ate (thecluckwagon) was excellent quality. Definitely puts the other indoor faculty in central Ohio to shame!

 

[24GahannaLadyLions7]

The Two umps over on the 10U field seemed pretty good

 

[Freeze Mizer]

The above comments are all spot on. This place will be great once it's up and running.
The turf performed well. Fields were a bit small for 9 on 9. Warmup areas were adequate for all of the teams present.
The price was steep for 2 hrs and 40 mins of playing time but it beats having to drive to the Spano dome.

 

[cz fastpitch fan]

There are quite a few indoor facilities offering hitting off of live pitching in cage games, leagues etc. Having the space to work the infield can certainly offer some benefit.
I wonder how the place will stay open. The cost was what, $9M to build? Will the area support that kind of overhead? I hope so, because the more indoor training facilities we have, the better the overall quality of the game will be and that is why we are all here. I own Field of Dreams, and I used to get upset when I found out another indoor facility opens. Now I just sit back realize that this is a sign of the times, that additional athletic training is here to stay and teams working indoors in Ohio is getting more & more popular.
Best of luck to the Bo Jackson dome. Can't wait to see it!

 

[21fund]

Our team played in the 14U as well and I thought it was great. The friendlies seemed very well organized and ran on schedule. The softball field might be better suited for 6 on 6 as the outfielders were very close to the infield. The baseball field was good for 9 on 9. Plenty of warm-up and viewing area. Our DD said the field and lighting were good. Good overall experience.

 

[Pacerdad57]

Our team played in the 14U as well and I thought it was great. The friendlies seemed very well organized and ran on schedule. The softball field might be better suited for 6 on 6 as the outfielders were very close to the infield. The baseball field was good for 9 on 9. Plenty of warm-up and viewing area. Our DD said the field and lighting were good. Good overall experience.

Very good point about the lighting, it was very well lit. Again it makes the other one in town ( which is no less expensive) look like exactly what it is, old and worn out. A coat of paint doesn't do anything to address all of the underlying issues. The Bo Jackson facility is going to be a top notch facility, no doubt

 

[Laser05]

We had an opportunity to practice on the baseball field this weekend. Overall the place is nice. They provide quality 12" balls, tee, and machines for cages and fields. The baseball field is big enough to play 9 v 9 and the lighting is great. Ceiling is obviously high enough to work out the outfield and allow for long toss throws and more multi station drills on the field. We scrimmaged for 2 hrs and it went well. (They will need to address the pitching Mat issue to provide one that does not move to games).

Overall it is great to have it in Columbus and it provides a great opportunity to get live games in the winter. Price is high but you get what you pay for.

 

[Pacerdad57]

Dead on about the pitching mat, don't know how that one got by any comments in this thread, we were all talking about it last Sunday!!
A pint d pitching rubber would be better than that mat