Training facility picks up speed in St. Charles
Three St. Charles men who have 11-year-old daughters that play on the same travel softball team recently launched a facility where young athletes can train.
Eric Wendt, Steve Rapp and Phil Latoria opened Kane County Dugout at 1900 Tyler Road Suite 400 in St. Charles. The business features four batting tunnels designed for athletes who want to work on hitting and other baseball and softball skills.
The owners stress that the batting facility is not geared for birthday parties or the player looking to plunk a few quarters into a batting machine. "We're here for training," Wendt said.
The equipment at Kane County Dugout is all new and real balls are used in the batting machines, not the plastic kind that break your bat, Wendt said.
Area high schools use the facility to train as well as travel teams. "The response is really amazing," Wendt said.
The men say they designed the business because of their children. Wendt, who has a son who plays varsity baseball at St. Charles East High School, has spent a lot of time at various batting cages over the years.
When designing this facility Wendt said he took what he learned from his past experiences. "We put in the brightest lights we could find," he said. Flooring that's comfortable and walls painted with darker color are other characteristics. "It's safe. Our kids are here," Wendt said.
The business originated when Wendt set up a single batting tunnel at his business' previous location so his kids and their teams could practice. It grew in popularity and other teams came to him requesting time to practice.
When Wendt decided to move his primary business, Assemble Connect, he decided to find a bigger warehouse that could house the batting tunnels.
His partners also own their own businesses. Rapp owns FireCon Construction Services Inc., a Schaumburg insurance restoration firm, and Latoria owns Complete Construction.
"We're all doing this on the side. It's the greatest job in the world - watching kids hit baseballs," Wendt said.
Wendt's wife, Sherri, coaches softball and was recently inducted into the Illinois NSA Hall of Fame. She coaches her daughter's team, the St. Charles Comets, which made it to the World Series last summer.
Meanwhile, batting coaches and private trainers from the area rent the tunnels to conduct lessons.
The general public wanting to use the tunnels is charged $35 an hour.
The business also offers a hitting circuit and provides motivational speakers for athletes. "Anyone can hit. It's about life lessons," Wendt said.
The facility is open from 3 to 10 p.m. during the week and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the weekends. For more information, check out kcdugout.com.
• Kim Mikus' columns appear Tuesday through Friday. She welcomes comments at kmikus@dailyherald.com.