The American pastimes of family and sports are being bridged together near the corner of CR 100W and CR 900N in Liberty Twp.

Across from the Ruge and Sons Meats, Denise Price and her husband Mark are transforming her dad’s former landscaping shop into a 12,000 square-foot sports practice facility that can be used by sports teams from all over Porter County.

Along with son Maveric and daughter Shelby helping out, the family put in new lighting, overhead doors and gave the new exterior siding a few coats of barn red paint preparation for the grand opening on Oct. 8.

“We’re giving the barn a new life,” Price said after a nine-month renovation process.

The Prices call their new business “Bases Loaded.” Baseball and softball are at home here but soccer, lacrosse and pee-wee/pop warner football can practice too.

The business is offering tours of the facility this week. To schedule a tour or to book a team for practice, you can call Bases Loaded at (219)678-4487.

According to Price, there are about 40 local travel teams for boys baseball and girls softball. About 3,200 youths are involved in the sports but there a very few places in the county to practice so parents have been using up a lot of time and mileage for lessons.

The Prices know the feeling firsthand being a softball family and wanted a place closer to home where their daughter and her teammates could practice their swings, catches and pitches.

An indoor practice facility will also give teams the ability to practice year-round, seven days a week.

“There have been a lot of parents and coaches we’ve talked with and we saw there was a need for something like this,” Price said.

And the business does not just cater to youth. Price said there are also senior leagues who said are welcome too. Two teams can use the practice areas at the same time. One area is 40’x50’ and the other 40’x60’ with 25-feet high ceilings.

Inside the main area is two net-lined batting cages sized 12’x44’ and 14’x70’ with a Jugs pitching machine. The longer cage can be used as a full-size pitching tunnel.

“It doesn’t hurt for dad to get in there, too,” said Mark Price, making the comment that the facility is a great way for families to spend time together.

Teams will store their equipment in dugout area that can be used as the lower level viewing area for coaches and parents. To get a bird’s eye view, there is an upstairs viewing loft with seating for parents.

Coaches can also rent the facilities private room to go over team strategies or review videos or to have team parties, Price said.

For parents, the front waiting area will have Wi-Fi wireless internet and television to keep content while the kids practice. Water, sports drinks and assorted snacks can be purchased at the concessions window inside the waiting room.

Bases Loaded’s hours of operation are 3-9 p.m. on Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays; and from Noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Hourly prices for the Fall range from $20 to $30 per hour for the batting cages, and $60 to $70 for the practice areas. Season packages range from $720 to $2,160.

Hours will be extended for when schools have their winter and summer breaks. The Prices are looking for instructors who can offer lessons and hope to offer classes at the practice facility.

More info is available on the Bases Loaded’s website, www.basesloadedllc.com

Posted 10/2/2012