DUNMORE, Pa. — With a cut of the ribbon the Borough of Dunmore is celebrating a new addition to Schautz Stadium. Inside the new indoor training facility, young athletes are already putting in work ahead of the baseball season.
"There's a lot of kids in Dunmore who love to play baseball so any chance we have to get some extra practice, the kids love it." Said Ryan Clark the Dunmore Little League President. Michael Dempsey, a Dunmore Borough Council member added "They're learning, they're laughing and having a ball. That is what this building was built for so this is a very proud moment for us."
From batting practice, fielding drills, to a lesson on the perfect slide. More than 50 kids from Dunmore little league program were the first to use the training facility. Dunmore Borough council members say this space isn't just for baseball and softball. It was designed with lots of other sports in mind.
"you could play soccer in there we already have youth football camp signed up lacrosse anything you can imagine, cheerleading and junior buck." Said Dempsey.
The 6,600 square foot facility has been in the works for several years, but came to life after a $500,000 donation by the DeNaples family.
"This whole stadium is state of the art everything including the building and the field it wouldn't have been possible without them. This is a jewel of Lackawanna county and certainly a jewel of Dunmore." Said Dempsey.
Coaches with the Dunmore Little League say this new space is a game changer for how the teams prepare for the season.
"We don't get outside until April sometimes. Last year with the weather we didn't get out until the end of April because snow was on the field and it was soaked, so now that we can come in and practice through November and into the spring these kids will be ready to go once the season starts." Said Clark.
The facility will be free to use for Dunmore teams, outside groups will be able to schedule a time and rent the space.