Massive indoor baseball facility opens in Kitchener

Toronto Blue Jay Dalton Pompey throws out the ceremonial opening pitch at the Playball Academy in Kitchener on January 3, 2015.

Playball Academy officially opened its doors Saturday. The 20,000 square foot indoor baseball and softball facility is the first of its kind in Waterloo Region. It features a full indoor infield, batting cages, real dirt dugouts and a gym.

“What we really tried to do here was build a facility that can accommodate baseball, softball players… of all skill levels and ages and basically give them the facility they need to do what they need to do to get to the next level,” said Trevor Nyp, Playball Academy’s general manager and co-owner.

Hundreds of baseball fans came out to take a look at the building and meet players from the Toronto Blue Jays and Team Canada.

Blue Jays outfielder Dalton Pompey threw the opening pitch.

The indoor facility will allow baseball players and teams to be able to train year round.

Professionals agree that the new facility will help young players.

“As a kid, I didn’t really have this opportunity… to have all this space and all these cages this whole facility is just geared towards making Canadian players better,” said Pompey

“When I was growing up I was stuck in an elementary gym that was tiny with short ceilings, and this is way better for realistic situations with the turf and stuff, and I think it will really help grow the game in this area,” said Natalie Wideman, who plays second base and catcher on the Canadian senior women’s national team.

The Kitchener Panthers, who Nyp plays for, have already signed on to practice at the Playball Academy in their off season.

“That’s kind of cool for me too, I’ll be actually practicing at my own facility, which is pretty exciting,” Nyp said.