University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Take Advantage Of New Indoor Hitting Facility
January 22, 2016 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL – Carolina softball put the finishing touches on its brand new state-of-the-art indoor hitting facility this past month, which provides the Tar Heels an invaluable opportunity to practice at Anderson Stadium year round no matter what Mother Nature throws their way.
“We're really excited about it and very thankful to the Rams Club and all their efforts at helping us get this to happen,” said head coach Donna J. Papa.
Named for principal donors Ken and Cheryl Williams, the hitting facility is 5,000 square feet and features three full-sized batting cages, each of which can be split in a half for a total of six potential hitting stations. Featuring top-notch LED lighting and a first-rate sound system, the Tar Heels can get their cuts in or throw a bullpen session in the heated facility in any weather condition. High ceilings assure the safety of the pitchers and coaching staff, and its on-site location allows the Tar Heels access any time of day.
“This has been great, because we start practices in January when it can be pretty cold,” said senior Lauren Fuller, “but having this here, we're able to have all of our equipment handy and do whatever we need to do for practice; it doesn't matter if it's raining, snowing, anything like that. It's much more efficient and we can use our practice time a lot better.”
In addition to the hitting facility, the project included a brand new bullpen, featuring two pitching rubbers directly outside of the hitting building. Located out of play near right field, the Tar Heel battery has an easy path to the pitcher's circle when called in for relief.
Planning and construction began in 2014, and the hitting facility first opened its doors in March, 2015. The team had full access to the facility during the 2015 season, but the project finally came to completion this past month, as full-sized garage doors were put in place on both sides of building, allowing for fresh air and sunshine when the weather's nice. With the bullpens located just outside the garage doors, the pitching staff is now able to practice right alongside their teammates as they take batting practice.
“As both a hitter and a pitcher, (it's great) because our bullpen is actually right outside,” said Fuller. “But also if it's cold and we're practicing, we can pitch and throw live inside. A lot of times if it's cold or rainy outside, we will throw live to hitters which makes both the pitchers and the hitters that much better.”
“It's just been very, very functional for us,” said Papa. “Our girls, every day they can come here and get better. We have a place to get better as softball players. We couldn't be happier with this facility.”
