What makes a good indoor facility

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I have an opportunity to invest in an indoor facility. I want to compare their offering not just against the competition but against what coaches and parents are looking for.

What do you look for in evaluating a facility for use by your team or DD?

Thanks

 

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Large, turfed, cages, not too cold, and cheap!

 

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slimy walls!

 

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High ceilings, turf, good lighting, big, and CHEAP to rent otherwise its not worth it....practice at a school for free

 

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slugs

 

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Pitching Screens, Tees, and 1 hand bats onsite for free for use from training perspective.

For Games, it's gots to be BIG. Like almost real field dimensions. 130 down the lines is about as small as you can get and still consider to be playing ball. High Ceilings, Proper dividers to protect both spectators and players.

Oh Yeah, and a concessions that has WALKING TACOs

If ever in Chicago, check out 'THE MAXX" it has four indoor fields within one complex and tons of ammenities for families who are burdened with driving to/from these activities.

 

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Cost and clean are 2 important things.

 

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I would model it after the Spano dome!:lmao:

 

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One thing we have issues with here in NY at our only indoor softball facility is warm up areas for pitchers. Our facility is nice and large, decent for what we use it for but unfortunately we have to share it with ****** games. Therefore the ****** coaches holler a lot our girls for warming up in places that they (the ****** coaches) feel they have rights to first.

I guess to sum it up, practice area before games!

 

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just as long as the fans for the other team can sit in your open dug out, and when people walk by to leave, their butts are in your face as you take score, I'd take that place!

 

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It never ceases to amaze me how softball parents think that indoor facilities should be run like a government program that will operate, even when not making any money.

It costs money to heat the facility. It takes money to pay the personnel to run the facility. It takes money to pay the taxes. It takes money to pay for the lights. Oh yea, that turf wasn't a Christmas present from Santa.

So, if you want turf, high roofs, separate warm-up areas, heated playing areas, nets, and separate batting cages then it will cost some money.

 

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Thanks for the feedback. Some helpful comments and some 'not so much'. This would be a smaller facility with pitching tunnels, cages and hopefully enough space for infield. To make it work financially, there would be ****** training as well, just not at the same time.

 

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Where will this be?

 

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I dont think small can be profitable. Places like the link below and maybe pinnacle in medina are about the size you need to offer everything and make a profit.

http://www.bojacksonselitesports.com/about_futureDev.html

 

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I agree that these facilities are expensive to run (lights, heating, turf cost), but just be sure that you are offering something that people can afford.....no use selling a cadillac if your customers can only afford a Honda. You are considering entering into a business venture...and from a parent's perspective, the cost benefit analysis must be weighed

 

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Where will this be?

On the east side. Not sure if that is where it will stay.

 

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Wow I didn't know you were talking with someone about this! We should talk my dad and I have been looking into the same thing out towards Marysville but my dad is having trouble finding how it can be profitable... we have been talking with Extra Innings...are you thinking franchise or not?

 

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Wow I didn't know you were talking with someone about this! We should talk my dad and I have been looking into the same thing out towards Marysville but my dad is having trouble finding how it can be profitable... we have been talking with Extra Innings...are you thinking franchise or not?

sent you a PM

 

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Not sure franchise is good idea. Why pay for something you can do on your own.

 

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I would limit the number of pitching machines that I buy. I know some little kids want to use them, but they are worthless to me. I need a net and someone that can pitch windmill at least 35 mph.

You have to go with monthly memberships to make a profit.

The hours of operation (evening) is what keeps me from doing this.