The Batter’s Box owner Tim Kelleher, left, and son “Timmy,” right, set up a pitching machine behind the “L” screen on Tuesday in preparation for Saturday’s Grand Opening. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – Some of the area’s brightest sports-minded coaches and instructors in baseball and softball are set to gather in one location, and the public is invited to step right up and join in.
On Saturday, The Batter’s Box, a baseball and softball training facility, will unlock its cages – all housed in a 5,500 square foot building, located at 170 Lockhouse Road in Westfield – to ballplayers of all ages. The grand opening will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cages will be open to the public, and hot dogs and hamburgs will be provided – all free of charge.
There will be a free raffle for anyone who registers online or in person on site.
“Other than organized sports, this will be an asset to the community of Westfield,” said Batter’s Box owner Tim Kelleher, whose son “Timmy” plays baseball for Westfield High.
In addition to a practice facility for players to perfect their swing, pitch, or fielding techniques, five well-respected field experts will be on-hand daily to provide one-on-one instruction.
Those five people include: former Westfield High School and pro baseball player Jim Jachym, current Smith Academy baseball coach Jeff Pluta, American Legion Post 124 baseball coach Rob Atkocaitis, and Brian McGan, Hampshire Regional’s softball coach.
Kelleher was a baseball coach at St. Mary High School from the mid-1980s to mid-90s.
“We have five good quality coaches who I would match up with any organization for sure,” Kelleher said. “It’s a great opportunity for a lot of young kids to go in a comfortable environment and work with quality coaches.”
The Batter’s Box sign on the interior wall of the new baseball and softball training facility, located at 170 Lockhouse Road in Westfield. (Photo by Chris Putz)
The Batter’s Box is the result of two years of planning by Kelleher, who teamed up with Nabil Hannoush, to provide the community with a local softball and baseball training facility run by area professionals in the sport.
“I’m doing this for the love of the game,” said Kelleher. “I might as well do something I like.”
The training facility offers five cages, three of which feature 70-foot tunnels, and two that are 50-feet long. Each tunnel has a pitcher’s mound, pitching machine, a bucket of balls, an “L” screen, and a batter’s box.
Stanton Construction and several high school students helped get the interior set for Saturday’s Grand Opening. The Batter’s Box has also partnered with Avery Bat and Subway, and noted local sports historian Dan Genovese, who will be on hand with some of his books detailing the Whip City’s roots.
The Batter’s Box will be open weekdays from 3-9 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. until 8. Personal instructors will also be provided by appointment as well.
The Batter’s Box is also online at www.battersboxwestfield.com.
