Let's change the subject...again... Practice arrangements

[Canocorn]

I know us parents have discussed (dreamed) about having our own private facilities. A couple have looked into the cost into a mini dome like the one in Fort Wayne only smaller, and then obviously building an outdoor field for outside practice. Currently we are tied to the local town fields for outside, and then the a high school for indoors. I know a couple have a nice setup like the 14u Team Indiana, Indiana Pride and I am sure there are others. Do you guys have to pay/rent your practice arrangements?

[da60]

Canocorn, when the weather is nice, we have access to a couple public park diamonds...winter months is a little tougher...we can use an indoor school gym, which is better than nothing(no cost)...but we are not as regimented as some teams regarding a practice schedule...we are involved in an indoor league once a week which keeps us fairly sharp...most if not all have started high school conditioning/practice...I will try once a week in the winter take my daughter to an indoor facility on the southside of Indy and work with her on hitting in one of their lanes(not cheap, but she needs to hit).

[bucketboy]

This may be a little off subject but kind of ties in. I am trying to get an hour or two in an indoor facility or gym for that matter to shoot a couple of college skills videos for some kids but the ceiling needs to be high enough to do some basic fly ball work as one of them is an outfielder. Can be very flexible with day or time to do it and the parents of the players are willing to help with the cost of the facility.

If anyone has any ideas or if any coaches that read this may allow us to work off to the side during one of your practices and help out with cost of your practice either send me a private message thru here or my email address is fastpitchdad@sbcglobal.net.

[da60]

Bucketboy, if your close to central Indy, I'm pretty sure the field at the Sportzone can be rented, not sure of the price or how available it is this time of year...not sure about the other indoor practice facilities, you may want to call them.

[Canocorn]

Not sure how "close" you are with Lorenzo or Cara, but they both practice at the Sportzone. Maybe you can piggyback their practice for a little bit. Just another idea. Another, contacting the Colts and have them open Lucas Oil for a few hours... Off the subject some more, but we went to a game there this fall/winter and leaned over to the wifey and said, "I wonder how many softball fields we can get into this joint." Which was quickly followed by eyes rolling from her..

[bucketboy]

Our taxdollars built it so why not.

They hold college tournaments in the Metro Dome in Minnesota and the University of Northern Iowa holds a tournament the first of February in their dome as well.

I'll call and see what the rental fee would be for a weekend and let you'uns or all ya'll know?

[da60]

Bucketboy...the price for field rental might be on the SZ website...Canocorn brings up a good resource at the Zone, Lorenzo Walker(he got my daughter involved in travel ball as a 12 year old, some 4 years ago...I'm suprised I still talk to him)...he is a big supporter of Indiana softball, and even though my daughter had not played for him in years, a couple winters ago he let her piggy back some of his practices and work with one of his assistant coaches...nice guy, he may be able to assist you.

[coolstuff]

We're lucky to be with a team with it's own facility - a heated pole barn with two batting cages and tee/pitching area, and a toilet. Also an outdoor field, all on private land. During the winter, the coaches tried to find a reasonable indoor facility for team practice, but decided not to spend the $$$ since they play one fall and one indoor winter tournament prior to the HS season. Hitting practice continues throughout the winter. There are two indoor facilities nearby that would accommodate team practice, but they are costly.