Image Courtesy of John A. Logan College and BHDG Architects

By KERRY SMITH

CARTERVILLE, Ill. – John A. Logan College and project partner BHDG Architects of Marion, Ill. are seeking bids for the construction of a 12,000-square-foot baseball and softball training facility.

Made possible by a $2.375 million donation from the Harrison-Bruce Foundation last fall, the future Harrison-Bruce Player Development Center.

The facility, on which the college expects to see construction begin in May, will house a hitting lab, pitching lab, training table, a suspended baseball netting system, locker room and more.

According to the college, the hitting facility will include six automated drop-down nets that will make possible the creation of six different cages that are 18 feet wide and 65 feet long. The pitching lab will span 120 feet by 15 feet and include four baseball and four softball pitching mounds.

John A. Logan College Head Softball Coach Taylor Siefert says the facility will give both teams year-round training opportunities.

“Our baseball and softball players will have full access to this facility throughout the day to get in extra hitting and defensive work” Siefert said. “It will be used daily during the colder months for team practice. The size of the facility allows both baseball and softball teams to utilize the space at the same time, and most importantly, we will have the ability for pitchers and hitters to face off against each other in live situations, which is an integral part in preparing the players for the spring season.”

In addition, the baseball and softball teams will also use the facility to host numerous pitching, hitting and kids’ camps throughout the year.

Athletic Director Greg Starrick says the facility will benefit baseball and softball players throughout southern Illinois.

“We are extremely grateful to the Harrison-Bruce Foundation for this generous gift,” said Starrick. “This is another example of how their generosity will benefit not just John A. Logan College but also all of southern Illinois. Student-athletes in the community will also have the opportunity to use the facility to take lessons from the Logan baseball and softball program coaches. The facility will also provide a space for travel ball organizations in the community to practice during the winter months as they prepare for their seasons.”