Long gone are the days when staffers at Grand Park worked around the clock to maintain 18 grass diamonds in addition to their eight turf playing surfaces. Sponging fields and juggling schedules are a thing of the past, as the sports campus in Westfield continues to host millions of visitors each year across 26 diamonds and 31 multi-purpose fields. Also in Westfield, Roundtripper Academy has taken its proud tradition in America’s pastime and found a way to give back in the emerging sport of adaptive baseball. Diamond sports continue to thrive in Hamilton County. 

Making Grand Park home for a third time is Alliance Fastpitch Softball, the premier national championship event in youth softball. Alliance, behind National Director of League Operations David McCorkle, is bringing its 16U and 18U championships to Hamilton County. Alliance brings the best softball teams in the nation to the area every year, rotating between the high school-aged players and middle school-aged players. In all, more than 200 teams will be coming to Grand Park aiming for a national championship.

“We were looking for a place that can accommodate everything we want to do, and Grand Park is second to none,” McCorkle said. “Bullpen and the city and the facilities people are the best partners we’ve worked with in 25 years.”

The Alliance week starts July 21 with a college camp that will have 40+ coaches in attendance. Tourney play begins the next day and culminates with title games on July 28. Many standouts, including Women’s College World Series Most Outstanding Player Kelly Maxwell and many pro softball players, have come through the Alliance program.

“Our event is full of the best teams in the country,” McCorkle said.

For 30 years, Roundtripper Sports Academy in Westfield has been a stalwart in the baseball scene. Top youth teams have come through the facility, and local players know the 65,000-square foot indoor building that contains the most cutting edge baseball technology all too well. But now, another group of players is taking the diamond and providing inspiration along the way.

Roundtripper, behind the ownership of Sue and Chris Estep, has parlayed its baseball success to give back, forming an adaptive baseball team in the Miracle League, a network of 350 teams and 450,000 kids and adults with adaptive needs who can experience the game of baseball.

“It’s very important to us to give those kids with needs the same experience when they’re in the building,” Sue Estep said.

Over the years, families with adaptive needs children showed interest in the game and the Esteps put in the work to make their dreams happen. Roundtripper now hosts the only Miracle League chapter in the county, playing indoors now but fundraising to convert one of its outdoor fields for adaptive baseball. The goal is to field both competitive and non-competitive adaptive teams, and Roundtripper is working to collect the necessary funds and materials to break ground on a facility made specifically for adaptive baseball.

Support and learn more about Miracle League adaptive baseball in Hamilton County.

Shoulder Pain in the Overhead Athlete Summer is here and both baseball and softball seasons are now in full swing – pun intended! Shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints and is a highly prevalent issue with overhead sports for youth, amateurs, and professionals alike. Estimates have shown that shoulder pain affects anywhere from 30-60% of overhead athletes depending on the sport, and over half of baseball pitchers suffer some sort of shoulder injury during a playing season. Common injuries of the shoulder include: Rotator Cuff Tendinitis, Impingement Syndrome, and Labral Tears. The best first line treatment for these conditions is prevention. Many shoulder injuries are due to overuse and improper recovery. The MLB has come out with Pitch Smart Recommendations for youth overhead athletes:

In addition to MLB Pitch Smart Recommendations, it is also important to think about proper nutrition, recovery, and strength training. Ensure you sleep at least 7-9 hours each night. Eat a variety of foods and ensure your plate includes a source of protein, as well as fruits and vegetables at every meal. It is also important to stay hydrated and drink at least ½ body weight in ounces (if 150lbs = 75 oz of water) of water every day. Lastly, throwing is a full body movement and requires adequate strength transference from the legs and core to improve throwing speed and mechanics. If you are currently experiencing shoulder pain, a few common symptoms of shoulder pathology can include:

If you are currently experiencing any of these symptoms, seek further evaluation by a medical professional. Early rehab improves recovery rates and decreases the risk of reinjury after returning to sport. 

Daria Volker, PT, DPT PT Solutions https://ptsolutions.com/states/indiana/

MLB Pitch Smart Recommendations

Director

Sr. Sports Development Manager

Director of Visitor Experience