BUSINESS NEWS

ALL BASES COVERED:  A Diamond In The Rough
Putnam Baseball Academy Has All-Star Stuff 
By Mark Hallburn
Publisher
PutnamLIVE.com

"Oh, put me in, coach - I’m ready to play today; Put me in, coach - I’m ready to play today; Look at me, I can be centerfield."  

                                                    John Fogerty

You could call it a baseball diamond in the rough.

Nestled in the corner of the Teays Valley Sports City Complex is a baseball nut’s fantasy turned sweet reality. More than 12,000 square feet of batting cages, pitching lanes, hitting machines, baseball memorabilia, a theater room, and extremely helpful coaches to teach you everything you need to know to succeed on the baseball diamond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tim Meeks opened his All Bases Covered baseball academy in 2003 in Teays Valley. He saw a need for a place for children of all ages to come to learn the sport, practice their skills, and stay out of trouble. The fact that Tim loves baseball probably had a little to do with his motivation as well.

"Kids needed a place to play in the winter months," says Meeks. "Indoor facilities are just an absolute must for bad weather states."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since opening ABC, Meeks says "countless” lessons have been taught. "We had 232 lessons alone last week," Meeks recalls. "I wouldn’t be able to venture to guess how many we’ve taught since we opened." Or how many kids ABC keeps out of trouble every year while taking swings and lessons.

Those lessons are important, keeping boys and girls in motion, helping them stay physically fit and honing their baseball and softball skills.

"The kids in the community have made themselves so much better," says Meeks, allowing them to compete nationally with players from warm weather states including California, Florida, and Texas. "It helps us try to compete. Without that it would be impossible."

Before your coach can put you in centerfield, at shortstop, or behind the plate, you need to know how to catch, throw, and hit properly. Coaches recommend ABC as an ideal place to do all of those things.

If you build it they will come, it’s been said. In baseball circles that is especially true. PutnamLIVE.com asked some of the players what they thought of All Bases Covered and learned that their parents brought them from outside of Putnam County as well as from inside Putnam County to get in some swings and learn their game.

"It’s helpful with your batting," says Nate Weese, 11, of Cross Lanes. "I come here every other week." Weese says his time and practice at All Bases Covered has improved his batting.

He isn’t alone.

"I think it's good because you can hit and pitch and field," says Erin Kaplan, 12, of Milton.

While boys and girls dig in against the pitching machines, parents mingle inside and outside knowing their children aren’t running the streets getting into trouble.

“My son couldn’t wait to get here today,” says Lane Tharmont, of Scott Depot. “He had his bat next to his bed. After a week of school, he wants to pound the ball.”  

“My daughter lives for softball,” says Carol Wilson, of Hamlin. “There’s no place for her to practice during the winter in Lincoln County. So we come here, I hand her a roll of quarters, and she heads to the pitching machine. It’s fun, it’s healthy, and I know she’s safe.”

Business people know Tim Meeks as one of the owners of A & L Hardware, and as a contractor that builds apartments and retail stores. But those that really know Meeks realize that he bleeds Cincinnati Red and is a diehard baseball fan. The walls are covered with Reds photos and autographed pictures of Pete Rose, Barry Larkin, and other stars including Bo Jackson. More  than 100 Sports Illustrated covers are framed around the first floor of ABC, and a case of autographed baseballs hangs on one wall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, Tim Meeks is a self-confessed baseball fan. So it’s only natural that he would build a baseball academy to complement his other businesses.

"I'm glad we did," Meeks says. "It's a love for the game. My family loves it too."

Meeks' son, Thor, credits his dad's "toy" to some of his batting success. The Hurricane Redskins catcher is known for his power at the plate, and recently signed a letter of intent at ABC to play for Marshall’s Thundering Herd after he graduates high school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"It's a fun place to practice, and get some great coaching," says Thor. "You have to work hard to do well in baseball."

Thor's hard work is paying off. Last summer he was invited by Major League Baseball to Tropicana Field to take swings with about 60 other players across the country. That puts him in select company, taking the lessons he learned at ABC to the home of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays who could really, really use a power hitter.

Thor Meeks' Power Showcase Video

While All Bases Covered is a star with the players, it has never made a profit, according to Tim Meeks. "This is a labor of love. We lose money every year," he says. "But we do this for the community. If we ever break even, that would be nice. Fortunately we have our other businesses. This gives kids a place to come and play. Kids need positive things to do with their time."

Still, Meeks says All Bases Covered is finally moving in the right direction. He gives much of that credit to Keith Rappold, ABC's Manager.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Keith's done a wonderful job here," Meeks says. "We were losing $25,000 a year here prior to putting him in place. Now we are losing only $5,000. We only hope to break even. It's so seasonal. You've got five months that are good months through the fall and winter. The other months we are searching."

While Rappold appreciates Meeks kind words, Keith says much of the credit for ABC’s improved bottom line goes to General Manager Roy Kuhl, a former Cleveland Indians catcher and former coach at University of Charleston.

"Roy is responsible for bringing softball to All Bases Covered," says Rappold. "Roy teaches softball pitching to girls of all ages as well as catching lessons. He is well known in the area and has many years of experience."

In addition to the lessons and batting cages, All Bases Covered has a colorful theater "Upper Deck" party room that can be rented for birthday parties and other family-friendly festivities. T-shirts and batting gloves are sold, and a pro-shop is on its way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the time of this publication, Lessons prices are: $30 a session, a block of 5 for $130 ($26  a lesson) or 10 for $250 ($25 a session)

"Lessons cover all aspects of baseball, hitting, pitching, fielding, catching for baseball or softball, Rappold says "Any aspect of the game. We talk about the physical as well as the mental aspects of baseball and softball."

Baseball and softball players span the age ranges, and so do the students of ABC. Dads take their swings in the cages next to their kids in a family-friendly competition, or a case of dad wanting to prove to son that “I still have it.”

"We've had kids as young as four-years-old up to players trying to get in the minor leagues take lessons," Rappold says. "As long as they can stay focused for 30 minutes. If they can do that, they can learn."

And you don't have to purchase lessons to participate. Just bring a handful of quarters and you can dig in and take your swings at ABC's pitching machines.

You would expect to find a fine baseball academy in large cities like Los Angeles or New York. Instead, you'll find All Bases Covered across Teays Valley Road from Hurricane Park tucked behind A&L Hardware at:

Sports City Complex
3540 Teays Valley Road
Hurricane, WV 25526

Hours change through the year, so Rappold strongly recommends that you call 304-562-7900 to find out when All Bases Covered is open. You can also learn more by www.ABCBaseball.com or send Rappold an email at: KRappold@ABCBaseball.com.