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Baseball

Indoor Baseball & Softball Gym Opens in Alexandria's West End

2024-12-03

The Dugout, a remarkable 10,000-square-foot facility located at 315 Hooffs Run Road in Alexandria's West End, has recently opened its doors. This indoor gym is dedicated to enhancing the swings of baseball and softball players. It is owned by a group of dedicated individuals including Layla Burczak, Lacey Forster, Ben Kelley, Amanda Kelley, Ben Matthews, and Katy Matthews, who are all principals in Alexandria Travel Sports LLC.The Dugout boasts multiple batting cages equipped with Hack Attack pitching machines and high ceilings. This allows for specialized training camps and team-building events in addition to daily cage rentals and membership packages. It is a collaboration between the Alexandria Reds Baseball Organization and Victory Fastpitch Academy.According to the management, the vision for The Dugout has been in the making for years. They recognized the need for an indoor space in Alexandria where both baseball and softball players could train year-round, regardless of the weather. By combining the strengths of these two organizations, they have turned their dream into a reality. This facility is the result of countless hours of hard work, collaboration, and dedication.The Dugout will celebrate a grand opening on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. The event will offer free batting cage sessions, guided tours, and an opportunity to meet the coaches and staff.About the Author:Reporter James Cullum has dedicated nearly 20 years to covering Northern Virginia. He started working with ALXnow in 2020 and has covered a wide range of stories, from investigative pieces to features and photo galleries. His reportage includes national and international situations, as well as coverage from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court, and State Department. He has also witnessed protests and riots across the U.S., including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. In addition, he has covered earthquake-stricken Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa, and war-torn South Sudan. He has the ability to photograph presidents, world leaders, celebrities, and famous musicians and performs well under pressure.