COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Major League Baseball season wrapped up recently with the award announcements, and although central Ohio baseball and softball seasons are on hiatus until the spring, it doesn’t mean the offseason is without opportunities.
Hoagy’s All Americans, a new indoor baseball that opened in Clintonville this summer, will keep the sport alive all year round, be it through youth indoor leagues, winter conditioning, clinics or one-on-one training.
The baseball and softball facility, located at 3005 Silver Drive, north of East Weber Road, was part of a vision by Krista and Todd Holcomb after the couple used the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to reinvent their careers and follow their family’s passion for baseball.
Todd was a two-time All-State player with Bishop Watterson and played collegiately in Jacksonville, Florida. He returned to Columbus to coach with area travel teams and the Eagles before the idea was born.
After approximately two years of planning and construction, their dream facility, complete with several hitting and pitching bays, a weight room, and more, is up and running.
“This location is perfect. Most of these facilities are in the suburbs, but this is 10-15 minutes from anywhere and that was a big draw,” Todd said.
Hoagy’s provides classes, private lessons, and winter hitting leagues for baseball and softball players ages 10 through 18. The 17,000-square-foot facility can also accommodate lacrosse, cricket, agility training and yoga.
“I went to Watterson and knew the area, and nothing is here baseball-wise,” Todd said. “I always liked Clintonville, it’s a nice community, and we can draw players, people who don’t have that (nearby).”
Additionally, Hoagy’s staff features renowned high school, college and professional athletes and coaches, both local and national, and professional athletes from all over the country who conduct clinics.
Scott Manahan, who spent much of his career at Watterson and was enshrined in the National High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, joined the staff, as did Teddy Cox, a certified strength and conditioning coach, and former Buckeye Kegan Lanter, Worthington Kilbourne’s coach.
Area standouts include Ohio State softball gold-glove shortstop Carley Gaskill and 2022 Great Midwest Athletic Conference pitcher of the year Sydney Long, who graduated from Ohio Dominican and won the Division IV state championship with Hillsdale in 2018.
Players from Hilliard Darby, Olentangy Orange, Watterson and Whetstone high schools are also on the staff, among others.
Last week Liberty Union graduate and Miami Marlins pitcher Jacob Miller hosted a pitching clinic, and earlier in November Oregon All-American, Pac-12 batting champions and Hall of Famer Alex Peterson hosted a three-day hitting clinic. In February, Hoagy’s will host a Cincinnati Reds two-day winter camp.
"I got an email from the Reds who are looking to do winter camps further up north than they normally do. Would you be interested? Yeah!" said Krista, Hoagy's manager and co-owner. "(Peterson) reached out to me. She and her husband moved here ... and she loves to do camps. Is that something you need? Absolutely. It's kind of like kismet, or serendipity."
In between camps and clinics, live softball and baseball hitting leagues are offered throughout the offseason. And if you’re looking to pick up weights instead of a bat, Hoagy’s can meet those needs. The building boasts a 1,200-square-foot fitness and agility training area.
“We wanted to open a facility where athletes could be comfortable from any skill level, but also wanted it to be an all-around training facility, with conditioning and strength training, not just throwing a ball or hitting a ball,” said Krista.
Hoagy’s hosts area high schools on a regular basis, as well as over 20 travel softball and baseball teams that hold indoor practices. Krista and Todd hope to attract more schools in Columbus and surrounding areas, which could also include middle schools and recreation league teams.
For more information on Hoagy’s visit www.hoagysallamericans.com.
