OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Fans who visit the soon-to-be constructed College Baseball Hall of Fame will have an opportunity to take their own swings at immortality ¨C knocking a physical ball out of the virtual park in Home Run Dugout¡¯s (HRD) Batting BaysTM at the future home of college baseball history located at the Museum at Prairiefire. The collaboration is part of a new partnership between HRD and the College Baseball Foundation and Hall of Fame (CBF).
The HRD Batting Bay experience is approachable for kids and adults alike, regardless of skill level. The Batting Bays feature a patented, ground-up, soft-toss pitching machine serving up a ¡°seven-mph fastball¡±, massive projection screens and immersive augmented reality gameplay. A bit of background tech-magic can move the fences in and boost a player¡¯s swing power, so everyone can feel the thrill of going yard.
¡°We are very excited to partner with Home Run Dugout to provide fans a dynamic experience when they visit the College Baseball Hall of Fame,¡± said Tom Jacobs, CEO/Executive Director of the CBF. ¡°Fans of all ages will have the opportunity to stand in the box and swing for the fences just like their college baseball heroes. The experience will enhance their visit to the museum and provide an interactive experience that connects them not only with the history of baseball, but also to the legends of the game enshrined in our Hall of Fame.¡±
HRD owns and operates its 22-bay flagship location in Katy, Texas, and plans to open other HRD-operated locations soon, but they built their bays to be flexible and modular with a growth strategy focused on perfecting and licensing the Batting Bay technology. The bays that will be part of the College Baseball Hall of Fame are the tip of the iceberg in HRD¡¯s upcoming licensed partner pipeline.
¡°We¡¯re honored to bring Home Run Dugout Batting Bays to the College Baseball Hall of Fame, where the legends of the game are celebrated and fans can step up to the plate,¡± said Jason Borchik, Executive Vice President of Business Operations for HRD ¡°Our mission is to make America¡¯s pastime more fun, and this partnership is a home run for baseball lovers of all ages.¡±
The two HRD Batting Bays at the College Baseball Hall of Fame will be available during normal business hours of the museum. The bays can also be booked for private events, with booking details to come at a future date.
About the College Baseball Foundation
The purpose of the College Baseball Foundation (CBF) is to preserve, elevate and advance the game; to inspire the next generation; to teach those who love college baseball about its rich history and traditions; to celebrate those who make college baseball special; and to honor those who have come before us and built the foundation upon which college baseball thrives today.
The College Baseball Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Support for the College Baseball Hall of Fame will help preserve the rich history of the sport for future generations. All donations to the College Baseball Hall of Fame are tax deductible and can be made via this link on the organization¡¯s website.
The CBF presents the Brooks Wallace Award (Nation¡¯s Most Outstanding Shortstop), the National Pitcher of the Year, the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year, the Skip Bertman National Coach of the Year, the George H.W. Bush Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Wayne Graham Award for Teaching Excellence Award.
About the College Baseball Hall of Fame
Each year, more than 200 representatives nationwide vote on the College Baseball Hall of Fame induction class. The voting body is comprised of national and regional college baseball media, active and retired coaches, former players, former inductees, college baseball historians and members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) collegiate baseball committee. The College Baseball Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 2006. Since that time, 175 players, coaches, umpires, administrators and contributors have been selected for induction. Click here for a full list of College Baseball Hall of Fame classes.
The College Baseball Hall of Fame will establish a physical location in Overland Park, Kan., in early 2026. Located within the iconic Museum at Prairiefire, the College Baseball Hall of Fame will serve as a shared community asset, deepening connections to the nation's favorite pastime through a dynamic and ever-evolving space for college baseball enthusiasts to celebrate the sport's rich past, present and future.