Published Wednesday, Feb. 11, 1998
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BROOKFIELD
The Thunder Dome brings softball home
By Jeff Greenburg
Herald Assistant Sports Editor
BROOKFIELD _ Softball players rejoice! No longer will dreams of year-round competition be snowed under by wintry weather ... thanks to the Thunder Dome.
The indoor softball facility, which features a regulation-size dirt infield, opened in late December and offers players of all ages and sizes the opportunity to stay sharp during the offseason.
Hubbard certified public accountant Tom Cornelius owns Thunder Dome, located on Bedford Road, while Brookfield's Wendy Shaffer serves as manager and director of softball.
So why an indoor softball facility?
A batter prepares the lay down a bunt in action at the Thunder Dome indoor softball and baseball facility. (Clem Marion/Herald)
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``I found there was not a place for athletes to work out during the winter time, said Cornelius, who resides in Brookfield with his wife Ellen and daughters Mandy, 16, and April, 14. ``The nearest place to go for instruction was Alliance, or you could work out on gym floors. You see soccer and hockey having facilities, but it seemed like softball and Little League were about the only groups that didn't have a place to play that were still seasonal sports. So I thought it was a chance to help the kids.''
The result was a $500,000 steel-frame building that took a year to construct, is 100-by-144 feet with a 40-foot high ceiling and is shaped like a blimp hangar.
``That's actually a scaled-down version,'' said Cornelius. ``I wanted to put in a full 200-foot field. I looked orginally at a balloon (cover), but what they wanted for it and the useful life of it, there wouldn't have been anybody who could afford to play in the building.''
Perhaps the biggest draw for the facility is that it enables teams to play 6-on-6 games with four infielders, a pitcher and catcher on each team.
There's a backstop, a small amount of foul territory and some room, although limited, for overruns at first base. The basepaths are 60 feet and mound distances can vary depending on what age group and style is being used at a particular time. In addition, a pair of bleachers provide seating for 60 fans.
Hits and outs depend on the trajectory and height of a batted ball into the netting that surrounds the field, although other ASA and OHSAA rules are in effect.
Shaffer said, however, that some of the teams have experimented with making the ball live no matter where it's hit in fair territory, thus allowing the runners to get all they can get on the bases. She said it makes for an exciting game.
``Whoever's using the facility, it's theirs to do whatever they want to do with it,'' said Shaffer, a 1993 Brookfield High graduate. ``For different leagues, whatever's best for them (is fine). The girls want to play it so it's as much as true to the game as possible. The guys want to have fun.''
Currently, some 400 athletes, comprising 20 girls' slo- and fast-pitch, and men's modified-pitch teams are utilizing the dome either for practices or games. Seven girls' teams from Pittsburgh have been coming in on the weekends to take advantage of the indoor facility.
``People hear about it, but they don't understand it until they walk inside and see it,'' Cornelius said, adding that one person has even dubbed it ``softball heaven.''
Shaffer said she is hoping to organize several girls' fast-pitch softball tournaments in March and April in addition to a Little League baseball tournament near Easter.
Practice time is primarily reserved for the weekdays, while weekends have been used for games. But that could change depending on the demand.
Thunder Dome is open to the public, but Shaffer recommends calling ahead to reserve time.
Cost to rent the field is $65 per hour, or $50 per hour with a commitment of at least 10 hours of use, according to Shaffer.
In addition to the field, Thunder Dome also features variable speed batting cages and a pair of pitching/catching areas. Cost to use the cages is $25 per hour ($20 per hour with 10-hour minimum commitment) or $15 for a half-hour.
``We ask that an appointment is also made (for the cages),'' Shaffer said. ``Because if you come and somebody has just started, you might be waiting for awhile.
Shaffer said a $35 ``Dome Card,'' a sort of membership card, can also be purchased and will provide discounts on all rates for holders.
For information, players or coaches may call (330) 448-0055.
