Indoor training facility for baseball, softball opens in New Kensington's Pittsburgh Ice Arena

Don’t worry about the snow and frigid temperatures — conditions for baseball and softball are perfect at a new indoor training facility in New Kensington’s Pittsburgh Ice Arena.

BB Sports Baseball & Softball opened Monday with several 50-minute training sessions for groups of local players.

An open house at the facility on Craigdell Road is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Baseball and softball director Bill Bates of Lower Burrell said there’s demand for a local facility where players can go to improve their skills.

“There is a similar place to ours in Kittanning and in Export. … However, our location on the New Kensington-Lower Burrell border is advantageous to both towns and minutes from Highlands and Kiski,” Bates said.

“This is going to give players and families a local place to go and invest their time in, get better and enjoy the game,” Bates said.

The idea for the facility presented itself when Bates learned that Elite Fitness, the gym in the upstairs portion of the Pittsburgh Ice Arena, had space that wasn’t being used.

Brian Novak of Lower Burrell took his 12-year-old daughter, Shelby, to a training session Monday and planned to return later in the week.

“In these winter months, it’s very hard to find space that’s flat and that’s indoors where we’re not breaking furniture or lamps down in the basement,” Brian Novak said.

His daughter added: “I thought it was a lot of fun because you can work on your own and pace yourself and do whatever you want.”

Experienced coaches are on hand to help.

Bates played college baseball at Division II Clarion University and has more than 20 years of experience coaching at the youth, high school and American Legion levels. He was head coach at his alma mater, Valley High School, from 2002 to 2004.

Kevin Rayburn, BB Sports’ baseball pitching, batting and outfield coach, had been coached by Bates since he was 13. He pitched at Clarion for a year before transitioning into coaching when he was 20.

Former Burrell softball player Brittany Dunn plays at Pitt-Greensburg and plans to help out with instruction when she’s not playing.

“It’s going to be a big opportunity for a lot of people,” Dunn said.

The facility is targeting youth players as they get ready for the upcoming season. As summer approaches, Bates plans to create a space for high schoolers who are playing summer baseball or softball and any returning college players who are home and want a place to train.

A membership program will be available for them.

Beyond 50-minute sessions called Power Hours where players can work on hitting, pitching and fielding at their own pace, the facility will be offering group training sessions, private training lessons, and camps and clinics. Groups and teams will be able to rent the facility.

Rates, time limits and details will be included online when scheduling a session.