Stony Brook, N.Y. – The Stony Brook University Department of Athletics has unveiled the new 5,000-square foot Seawolves Hitting Facility that will serve the indoor practice needs of the baseball and softball teams. The Seawolves Hitting Facility is located in the Indoor Sports Complex adjacent to Pritchard Gymnasium and was funded by the generous gift of an anonymous donor.
“Our mission at Stony Brook is to provide student-athletes with the tools that they need in order to achieve success in everything that they do,” Director of Athletics Shawn Heilbron said. “The new hitting facility is as nice as any that I’ve seen in the country and is a game-changer for our current and future baseball and softball student-athletes.”
The Seawolves Hitting Facility features a retractable batting cage system with three sliding divider curtains. It can be set up as one large facility or up to eight separate hitting zones. The entire surface is covered with synthetic turf and has three pro size portable pitching mounds and a pitching machine that can be programmed to simulate game situations. The facility also has eight front toss “L” screens and four full screens for dividing the cage. The netting is also 25 feet high, allowing student-athletes to track ball flight.
Baseball and softball student-athletes will use the facility to sharpen their skills in preparation for the championship season. The facility will prove to be crucial for student-athlete success during the winter months when cold and unpredictable weather make it difficult for the two teams to practice on at their respective outdoor facilities, Joe Nathan Field and University Softball Field.
“I have to first thank everyone who had a part in helping us develop this state-of-the-art hitting facility,” Stony Brook baseball head coach Matt Senk said. “It will not only significantly help our current teams, but it will help teams that will be coming here for years to come. With the features we have, including our high netting, dividing tunnels and state-of-the-art pitching machine, it’s as good a facility as you’ll find in the country and it should make every one of our current and future players better.”
“The Seawolves Hitting Facility is a tremendous addition to the great athletic facilities we have here at Stony Brook,” Stony Brook softball head coach Megan Bryant said. It’s a big plus for our teams, not just for the team practices, but also for providing the student-athletes with a space for them to work on their swings. Hitting is a never-ending process and requires a lot of hours and a lot of swings. This facility gives our athletes the opportunity to get better every day.”
Stony Brook Athletics continues to make facility improvements each year as the department has opened numerous venues that positively impact the student-athlete experience. In 2011, Joe Nathan Field, the home of Stony Brook baseball, was opened after a renovation overhauled the field, dugouts and scoreboard. In 2012, the 8,000-square foot Dubin Family Athletic Performance Center opened, giving student-athletes a first-class training facility. In 2013, the department renovated the Goldstein Family Student-Athlete Development Center, which is the academic oasis for #Seawolves student-athletes. On Oct. 4, the department will re-open Stony Brook Arena, Long Island’s new sports and entertainment destination which has undergone a two-year renovation and will serve as the home for the men’s & women’s basketball teams.
