J. Vinton Schafer is providing preconstruction and construction services for the baseball player development facility. This project aims to replace the existing temporary domed structure near the Varsity Sports Team House and Shipley Field with a permanent, year-round practice facility spanning approximately 7,900 gross square feet (GSF). This new facility will cater to both pitchers and hitters, providing a total of three pitching lanes and three hitting lanes. The lanes will feature suspended ceilings and operable sports netting cages, utilizing standard size 14′ x 70′ netting supplied by Netting Professionals LLC. The entire surface of the facility will be covered in artificial turf, while the three pitching mounds will be constructed by UMD Inter Collegiate Athletics (ICA).
The facility will be designed to include space for equipment storage, electrical closet(s), and cutting-edge analytics technology. It will feature infrastructure for wall-mounted displays with data feeds, as well as empty conduit and power provisions. The design of the facility will take inspiration from the nearby Varsity Sports Team House, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic. The configuration of the new practice facility will be constrained by various factors, including the existing sidewalk, grading, site utilities, parking lot, playing fields, and storm water management features.