Oxford Lafayette Sportsplex Completes Bullpens for Pitching and Catching Instruction

The Oxford Lafayette Sportsplex is proud to announce the addition of “State of the Art” synthetic turf bullpens. The bullpens are located next to the 7,000ft indoor hitting and pitching facility and provide distances of 45ft, 50ft, 54ft, and 60ft 6 inches to accommodate ages from 9 years old and up.

“These bullpens are great. Since they are synthetic turf, we can work with our pitchers and catchers any time of the year, even right after it rains. They really complete a training facility,” said Russ Pratt, manager and cofounder of the Yalobusha Giants travel baseball organization.

Pratt said, “They allow our coaches and pitching instructors to provide pitching instruction to pitchers at any age group. By adjusting the plate distances, we can switch from a 9-year-old to a 13-year-old in just a few seconds. The bullpens allow for us to accommodate 10 or more teams in one training session.”

“Our organization has grown and our facilities are so accessible. Having 4 bullpens and 4 full-length indoor tunnels allows for the entire organization to train at the same time. It also allows pitchers to get instruction from more than one coach. We have been utilizing multiple coaches to assist with hitting. Now the bullpens allow us to do the same thing with pitching. It also provides a great environment to work on technique with our catchers.”

The bullpens are utilized for both softball and baseball. “The design is great. It provides our team the ability to work out multiple pitchers and catchers at the same time,” said Brittany McKinney, Glory softball coach. “The design allows for the coach to visualize mechanics with ease,” said Glory coach Brett Prosek.

“Our club is focused on development of the athlete in preparation for college softball. Facilities like this provide a necessary tool to prepare our players for the next level.”

“Many catchers need extra work and individual work, but they don’t have a place to train. These bullpens are great for these workouts and for lessons. Since I played catcher in both college and at the professional level, I believe these bullpens will help when I am helping these young athletes to prepare for showcase tournaments and get to the next level,” said McKinney.

The bullpen addition to the Oxford Lafayette Sportsplex has also provided an avenue for pitching instruction. Former Ole Miss Rebel, Tanner Bailey, has joined the efforts in providing pitching instruction to kids all over north Mississippi.

“The bullpens are as nice as anywhere I have ever seen at any level. They allow someone like me to sit where I can visualize all of the mechanics. These kids are improving every training session. Their coaches see it. Their parents see it, and the kids can feel the improvement. These kids are working hard and it will pay off, ” said Bailey.

Bailey said, “Bullpens are valuable for pre-game preparations including proper mechanics, strike zone accuracy, and development of a pitching arsenal. Also, bullpens help with feeling the slope of the mound, because of the true difference from throwing on flat ground that a lot of people take for granted.”

When Bailey was asked about how youth sports have changed since he was playing in youth leagues, he said, “The Oxford Lafayette Sportsplex facility here is amazing, and being able to come and hit or throw either inside or outside depending on the weather is a great tool for kids. The coaches here are committed to making these kids better baseball players. Being able to hit in the cages, work on proper mechanics, work though different drills, and prepare as well as they can for a game gives the kids out here a tremendous competitive edge. I would’ve given anything to have a facility like this at my disposal when I was growing up!”

Bailey pitched for the Rebels in 2012 and 2013. He was drafted in 2013 in the 32nd round by the Detroit Tigers where he recorded a 2.53 ERA with 39 strikeouts.

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