Photo by: Matt Hawley/Pitt Athletics
Softball Unveils Indoor Batting Cage Facility
4/8/2022 1:35:00 PM | Softball
PITTSBURGH – University of Pittsburgh Athletic Director Heather Lyke and softball head coach Jodi Hermanek unveiled the new state-of-the-art indoor batting cage facility at Vartabedian Field today.
Located directly behind the scoreboard in left field, the 3,600 square foot facility includes two netted batting cages, three infield clay pitching mounds, six instant feedback cameras with four TVs and surround sound speakers. The facility is fully heated for the winter months with two industrial fans for the spring/summer. It also includes four retractable garage doors to allow outdoor hitting against a portable net.
"Pitt Softball is extremely grateful for the investment of this beautiful hitting and pitching facility because it allows us to elevate our training and development to an elite level," said Hermanek. "Everything we need for these athletes to have a quality experience is right here at Vartabedian Field. With this indoor facility, we are now able to add technology training tools and extensive video resources that we value in our training. Along with that, the impact that this facility has already made on our recruiting allows us to compete for elite prospects. We are looking forward to the upcoming recruiting season to fill this facility with prospects and show them how Pitt is invested in our athletes and our sport."
As part of the unveiling ceremony, Lyke, Hermanek and the team honored Nish Vartabedian prior to Friday's game for his longtime support of Pitt softball.
"I want to say thank you much, Nish, for believing in our department," said Lyke while unveiling the new indoor facility in front of the team. "Our current student-athletes are why we do what we do and giving back to our program means a lot to this university. Nish has made a huge difference and we are really, really grateful and proud to play at Vartabedian."
The batting cage facility is one of many upgrades done to Vartabedian Field over the past two seasons. The field's playing surface was replaced with custom turf in the summer of 2020, courtesy of AstroTurf. Vartabedian's signage and overall environmental branding were updated to reflect the Pitt blue and gold. The third-floor addition to the Petersen Sports Complex was completed in January of 2021, providing spectacular views of the picturesque fields from a student-athlete lounge, fully equipped team meeting room and new coach offices.
The facility will get its full use in as Pittsburgh plays host to the ACC Championship Tournament for the first time in program history. The Championship begins Wednesday, May 11 and runs through Saturday, May 14.
Located directly behind the scoreboard in left field, the 3,600 square foot facility includes two netted batting cages, three infield clay pitching mounds, six instant feedback cameras with four TVs and surround sound speakers. The facility is fully heated for the winter months with two industrial fans for the spring/summer. It also includes four retractable garage doors to allow outdoor hitting against a portable net.
"Pitt Softball is extremely grateful for the investment of this beautiful hitting and pitching facility because it allows us to elevate our training and development to an elite level," said Hermanek. "Everything we need for these athletes to have a quality experience is right here at Vartabedian Field. With this indoor facility, we are now able to add technology training tools and extensive video resources that we value in our training. Along with that, the impact that this facility has already made on our recruiting allows us to compete for elite prospects. We are looking forward to the upcoming recruiting season to fill this facility with prospects and show them how Pitt is invested in our athletes and our sport."
As part of the unveiling ceremony, Lyke, Hermanek and the team honored Nish Vartabedian prior to Friday's game for his longtime support of Pitt softball.
"I want to say thank you much, Nish, for believing in our department," said Lyke while unveiling the new indoor facility in front of the team. "Our current student-athletes are why we do what we do and giving back to our program means a lot to this university. Nish has made a huge difference and we are really, really grateful and proud to play at Vartabedian."
Prepping for the season in our ?????????? ?????? indoor hitting facility.
— Pitt Softball (@Pitt_SB) February 3, 2022
Excited to get to work ?? and have fun with it too ?? #H2P pic.twitter.com/vZjfVYEu7h
The batting cage facility is one of many upgrades done to Vartabedian Field over the past two seasons. The field's playing surface was replaced with custom turf in the summer of 2020, courtesy of AstroTurf. Vartabedian's signage and overall environmental branding were updated to reflect the Pitt blue and gold. The third-floor addition to the Petersen Sports Complex was completed in January of 2021, providing spectacular views of the picturesque fields from a student-athlete lounge, fully equipped team meeting room and new coach offices.
The facility will get its full use in as Pittsburgh plays host to the ACC Championship Tournament for the first time in program history. The Championship begins Wednesday, May 11 and runs through Saturday, May 14.
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