Looks like we lost a big baseball facility here in Central VA.

That's too bad. Lots of start up costs with that place, and apparently just not enough cash flowing in.

Bummer - but they had trouble filling the place, as we've been there on weekends with other fields in the complex empty.

No kidding...it is built...it would be nice to have someone/some entity pick it up. I know it is privately owned land...really too bad...a great idea...in a not so great location.

I think they tried to situate it where it could draw from NoVa as well as the Richmond area, and even be accessible from the east and west via the interstates.

In the end, the only places I've seen complexes like that work were in heavily populated suburban areas, e.g., East Cobb. When you're 45 minutes from everywhere, it's hard to do much except with weekend tournaments.

What didn't help was the lack of supporting infrastructure within the immediate vicinity, i.e., hotels, restaurants, etc. For many VA residents, an overnight stay was often not necessary. However, out of state residents found it a bit difficult. As a result, I often found our teams playing the same VA teams with little out of state competition. Not sustainable if you're catering to a limited client base within a down economy.

45 minutes?? Heh.
With the joy that is Fridays on I 95 it took us just over 3 hours to get there from N. Fairfax County recently - and thats before "rush hour".

It's too far from most of the Metro DC area for easy use, and, per joemktg's comment, no nearby facilities for out of town teams.

Location, location, location...

unfortunate. As I recall the place, not a lick of shade.

That is a real shame, and sorry to learn about this. Many, many great memories there over the last six years with my two oldest sons. In the back of my mind, I wondered about their business model with all of their baseball affiliation changes over the years.

Sad to see them close shop. Lot's of good memories there and at the old YMCA fields in Stafford that is now a waterpark.

This announcement is very unfortunate indeed...

As I understand, it was built and owned by the same folks that own Kings Dominion (Paramount) and that's the reason for the location. Relatively close to Kings Dominion so that tournament players could also enjoy the theme park during week long events and bring extra revenue into Kings Dominion.

About a month ago, I was told that the folks who own Cooperstown Dreams Park were talking to the VSC ownership concerning a purchase.....

I have also heard that the facility includes about 60 acres of additional undeveloped property.

No way do I see Caroline County stepping in to takeover this facility.

I agree that lack of nearby quality hotels, restaurants and accomodations is a downfall... For sure, it's lacking.

No question there is some nice infrastruture in place and hopefully something good will become of this facility.

We need all the facilites we can get to promote the sport.....

Too bad it is a nice facility but not a great location. I am sure someone will buy it for pennies on the dollar. Without the sunk cost expense to recoup someone probably will eb able to make it work.

Canes 14U team played a great game against the Richmond Braves and picked up a W this past weekend in a tournament there.

Does anyone know of any other complexes like this in the state?

None that are really available to travel teams. Probably Grisham's place at Cove Creek is the only place that puts that many fields into a single setting. And most of those are youth/softball fields. I can't remember if there's more than one full sized field.

It'd be great to have a facility in this state like Diamond Nation in NJ, Baseball Heaven in NY or the USA Complex in NC. One that has plenty of amenities around it. It'd be great to be able to host a tournament in one location IMO.

Wow...this doesn't make sense. It was a beautiful property, well maintained, etc, and evertie I was there it was bustling. Somehow the economics didn't work but I don't understand why. How can some places hold such successful events, yet VSSC can't make it? help me understand this.....

Sadly, it is a sign of the economic times.....

My own personal opinion is that there are simply not as many travel teams or tournaments as in the past to support the operation.

It is my understanding that some school districts have implemented pay to play programs. If that is the case, families will find it even harder to participate in other venues such as PG, USSSA, etc.

Location is some of it, but it certainly wasn't a big concern during the travel ball heydays of 2005-2008 when my son played there alot. It was always packed.

One opportunity that I think they really missed out on was the High School District Tournament. A couple of years ago, the Commonwealth District held their tournament there. Many liked the atmosphere and the chance to see many different games that you would otherwise miss. Additionally, scouts and coaches were also spotted at the complex as they could also see many games and players in one location. It was a one-year event for whatever reason, but I can only guess as to why.

My gut feeling is someone will step in and take over the site and re-open it to baseball.

Next most comparable facility I guess would be Petersburg Sports Complex. But again, I think there's only 1 adult sized field there. Great for youth tourneys and it can be rented, but when I've been to older tournaments there they usually have to also involve some of the area high school fields.

Seems like you could maybe get some help from VSU or Shepherd Stadium, though, to get something going down that way.

Maybe Kings Domininion company needs to take this on and develop lower cost alternative to Disney as a regional tourney venue. They could duplicate with their other sites in Ohio and others and easily expand with other sports. Offering reduced cost theme park entries to tournament visitors would be nice benefit. They rake in the concessions and other spending.

A family friend played in a Braves Scout event this past weekend at the Sports Complex. I thought Sports Complex has had shutdown? Did SportsQuest/Braves take it over?

The Virginia Sports Complex web site is up and running. It shows events from two sponsors, National Prep Watch and Nations Baseball.

I'm not familiar with either organization, and I had not heard of VSC re-opening. It appears that some of the 2010 schedule is still there, but some of the dates definitively show spring/summer 2011 dates.

You hate to lose a big fields complex, so if someone has found a way to keep it up and running, kudos to whoever. Maybe we could get someone in the know to fill us in?

I sure hope they get back up and running Midlo...I doubt I'll get to enjoy taking my son to a tourney there again, but sure hope others will get the chance...

Several years ago, we had some real problems with Nations Baseball, but it seemed like the problems were centered on one person who is no longer involved with them. Afterwards, we had some good experiences and tourneys with Nations. Don't know the other group...

Was at the showcase / tournament this weekend. Appeared to be same family running things as in the past. (Sorry cannot remember the name.) I know there are some other events scheduled there later in the summer. A little understaffed to recover from weather conditions in a timely manner - but otherwise things were okay.

quote:

Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
The Virginia Sports Complex web site is up and running. It shows events from two sponsors, National Prep Watch and Nations Baseball.

I'm not familiar with either organization, and I had not heard of VSC re-opening. It appears that some of the 2010 schedule is still there, but some of the dates definitively show spring/summer 2011 dates.

You hate to lose a big fields complex, so if someone has found a way to keep it up and running, kudos to whoever. Maybe we could get someone in the know to fill us in?

I believe Louis Presutti (AKA Lou Presutti), founder of Cooperstown Dreams Park, is one of Nations Baseball's founding partners.

quote:

Originally posted by YesReally:
Was at the showcase / tournament this weekend. Appeared to be same family running things as in the past. (Sorry cannot remember the name.) I know there are some other events scheduled there later in the summer. A little understaffed to recover from weather conditions in a timely manner - but otherwise things were okay.

Agree with the above post...same family running the show...fields were in very good shape for having what appeared to have a very small grounds staff. Side note...Best snack bar around!

I hought they did a great job there over the weekend and IT WAS AN EXCELLENT SNACK BAR I agree.

quote:

Originally posted by GWTW62:
I hought they did a great job there over the weekend and IT WAS AN EXCELLENT SNACK BAR I agree.

Ha...my family may have financed the place through the snack bar for another year...

The word I get is that the same ownership decided that SOME revenue was better than no revenue at all. So they are still running the place.

I guess rumors of their death were greatly exaggerated?

quote:

Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
The word I get is that the same ownership decided that SOME revenue was better than no revenue at all. So they are still running the place.

I guess rumors of their death were greatly exaggerated?

Yeah, I heard they are back up and running on a limited basis, but none of the buildings are open and the fields are only in use for "day" games. No night games - don't want to spend the money to turn on the lights. Again - that's what I "heard" - I haven't read anything confirming this.

Our local Senior Legion team (Post 89) used the complex last year for our "home" games. This year we're using the high school field for a few games, then other venues as it will be closed for maintenance for the summer/fall.

Noted new points of contact on the VA Sports Complex web site. New ownership? Anyone with insight?

I believe that the On-Deck Baseball/Softball Skill Development Academy (The On-Deck O's) and the Hill Family have taken a role in helping out with the complex. Not really sure how it happened, but I can tell you that they are out of Charlotte, NC. Just an incredible organization where my son learned a lot of what he knows today. The family and the organization are top shelf.
http://www.ondeckbaseball.net/index.htm