A hit in the making?

Even though spring training still is weeks away, baseball players in Southeast Missouri can get back into the swing of baseball and softball at the Southern Premier Sports Complex.

The facility, which opened Nov. 10, is a 6,480-square-foot building off Highway 74 between Cape Girardeau and Dutchtown.

Jim Barton opened the business, after two years of planning, to help area ballplayers hone their skills.

Barton, of Benton, Ill., said the lack of batting cages for full-time use near his home and the lack of a facility in the Cape Girardeau region prompted him to open the complex, which has cost more than $300,000 to build and is fast approaching $400,000.

"I did it out of my house for several years," Barton said. "There are little ones in that area, one night a week, but there is no way you could do it full time."

After seven years of making trips to Cape Girardeau with traveling softball teams, he knew there was enough interest level in softball and baseball and the need for training to open a full-time facility.

When choosing a location for the complex, Barton targeted Paducah, Ky., as well as Cape Girardeau, but his comfort level with Cape Girardeau from those trips and the existence of other large cities in the area made this location ideal.

"With the metropolis of Cape and Jackson and even going a little further south to Sikeston, I figured there could be enough to do it full time," Barton said. "So I checked it out and found out there was no other facilities like it down there, I went ahead with it."

Barton said he has been assisted in getting his business up and running by Brian Anderson and Mike Scott on the baseball end and Terry Schnurbusch with the softball.

Barton said the facility, which offers hitting and pitching clinics for both softball and baseball, has been well received so far. The complex contains three batting cages and there also is room for three to four more practice areas with pitching machines.

Even though the complex has been open for only two months and was closed for two weeks in late December for Christmas and icy weather conditions, Barton said the support has met his expectations and goals.

In addition to softball and baseball clinics, Barton said the facility is also equipped for soccer, and he is planning on adding basketball training this spring, which Barton said should increase the business.

The cost for a lesson of about 45 to 50 minutes is $15, although group and team rates also are available. Groups or individuals who want to use the facility can call Barton at (800) 593-5454 or visit Southern Premier Sports at 4740 Highway 74 to set up an appointment. Business hours are Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.