SteelMaster Buildings

SteelMaster Batting Dome in VA-Pilot

SteelMaster made an appearance in The Virginian-Pilot once again over the weekend. This time the article featured a Batting Dome built at Cox High School to be used for year-round training by their baseball team and other Great Neck area athletes. For the full article, continue reading after the pictures of Cox High School’s Batting Dome.

Local Baseball Hits A Home Run!

The road to October is long and difficult, but if you make it, the payoff is great. You’re a winner! Virginia Beach Community League teams groom young players for this experience which is why Charles Barker Automotive supports area baseball.

A huge fan of baseball, Barker sponsors many local leagues including Lynnhaven Baseball, Great Neck Baseball, and Kempsville Pony Baseball. He said, “I think participation in sports is integral to the educational experience so I am committed to helping provide sports opportunities for students at the local level.”

Barker’s contributions benefit each league in different ways. According to Brian Fischer, League Vice President of Lynnhaven Baseball, Barker sponsored their 2009 Pony Zone National Tournament. ”We have teams that come from out-of-town,” Fischer said, “and 90% of his sponsorship went to paying for a portion of their housing and food. The remaining money was used for the purchase of our fall uniforms.”

Sam Hudson, Lynnhaven Baseball League President, said, “We are self-sufficient. All of our funds come from registration income and concession stands. It is important to have sponsorships and Mr. Barker is one of our largest. He really came through this year.” Fischer agreed, “We depend on our big sponsors. Mr. Barker has been a very big help to us.”

Great Neck Baseball has used funds from Barker to build a batting dome at Cox High School. The 40-by-80-foot structure has four batting cages and a pitching lane. The heated dome also has an artificial turf floor and a video player and chairs for training. The building is a great tool, which can be used by Cox High School and Great Neck area athletes for year-round training.

Great Neck Baseball’s President Mike Megge said of Mr. Barker’s sponsorship, “His funds have also helped us purchase a John Deere Tractor and Gator and new back stops for the field. He is our largest sponsor and we couldn’t operate without his support.”

Barker recently signed on to sponsor Kempsville Pony Baseball. After 50 years of playing at the Kemps Landing Fields, they have moved to Providence Park. The move has required significant expenditures and to help with the transition, Barker has agreed to furnish two electronic scoreboards for the two new fields. KPB President Frank Albero said, “Having the scoreboards taken care of puts the finishing touches on a great facility for us. Youth leagues rely on the generosity of sponsors to help provide the kids with the experience we want for them. We are extremely grateful for the sponsorship.”

In addition, he supports the college teams of Virginia Wesleyan College and Old Dominion University. Wesleyan’s Head Baseball Coach Nick Boothe said, “Charlie has been a big sponsor since I have been Head Coach. We would not have the success we have had if not for him. He is always there when we have needed things.”

Boothe added, ” His donations have helped buy equipment for the team and T-shirts for our big showcases that we run, which are our biggest recruiting tools. He was behind the big push to improve the overall condition of the baseball facility.”

He finalized his thoughts with, “I can tell you, without the help of Charlie, we would not be where we are today.”

Old Dominion University is also very appreciative of Barker’s support. Debbie White, Senior Associate Athletic Director said, ”Charles Barker’s support of the ODU baseball program dates back to the 1980s and has continued with us through the present. His commitment of time as well as financial support has helped many student-athletes achieve academic and athletic success at ODU.” Barker served on the ODU Baseball Clinic Committee as a member and chairman for years.

Why is Barker so involved in baseball? “I think baseball builds character, discipline and dependability. It requires yound people to listen carefully, learn the fundamentals of the game, and introduces them to the importance of teamwork. Finally, they experience winning with class and hopefully their coaches teach them to lose with class.” Barker continued, “I know what a benefit sports are to the development of a child and I want to help in any way possible.”

-J. Schmitz

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