The UK’s first indoor baseball and softball centre is due to open later this year at Brent Cross Town.
The regeneration scheme, which is being delivered by partners Related Argent and Barnet Council, has leased 40,000 sq ft to The 108 – a new brand in the UK established by baseball enthusiasts, Maxwell Trautman and Michael Wakelam (pictured) and supported by the UK’s governing bodies for baseball and softball and Major League Baseball.
The centre – billed as the first of its kind in Europe – encompasses four dual-sport batting cages equipped with state-of-the art HitTrax hitting simulation technology. In addition to training facilities, The 108 will have a food and beverage offer, big screens to watch games, a retail store for baseball merchandise and space to host parties and events.
Around 20,000 people in the UK currently play baseball and softball, but a major barrier to growth of the sport is access to a facility offering year-round practice and coaching. It is anticipated The 108 will support BaseballSoftballUK – the national development agency for baseball and softball in the UK – by hosting annual winter academies for both baseball and softball, as well as winter indoor softball leagues.
Morwenna Hall, partner at Related Argent, said: “It is fantastic to be welcoming The 108 to Brent Cross Town and an exciting first for London, the UK and for the local community. The 108 is a great new amenity for the area, providing a fun and accessible way of getting involved in baseball, whether you’re experienced or a beginner. It also underpins our commitment to creating the place in London for play and sport offering a variety of different experiences and opportunities for the local community.”
Councillor Barry Rawlings, leader of Barnet Council, added: “The 108 baseball facility will be a unique new addition to Barnet right next to our new Brent Cross West station which is due to open in the autumn. It will give local residents the opportunity to try something new, and another reason for Londoners to visit the ‘borough of fun.’”
Wakelam and Trautman, said: “We’re tremendously excited to be able to bring The 108 to Brent Cross Town and Greater London. As passionate baseball fans our goal has always been make baseball and softball more accessible to both those aiming to reach elite levels in the sport and those wanting to try these great sports for the first time. See you at The 108.”
Ben Ladkin, MD of Major League Baseball Europe, added: “We’re really excited to see further evidence of the growth of baseball and softball in the UK with the announcement of this fantastic new facility and are looking forward to working with The 108 and the UK baseball and softball community to grow the game. With the return of the London Series this year it’s definitely a big year for baseball in the UK.”
