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bmoser
1633 Posts |
 Posted - 09/08/2009 : 17:33:58
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"Signature Park" just off I-85 a few exits north of the Gwinnett Braves new stadium, is slated to open next Spring/Summer. It's supposed to have 10 artificial fields and 18 batting cages wrapped in a state-of-the-art facility.
It will host tourneys, and multiple travel teams in all the age groups just like the East Cobb Complex does.
How will this impact youth baseball in Georgia, and in the Southeast?
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bball2008
100 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2009 : 18:59:18
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Could be a big development for the very near future. There is a load of talent in Gwinnett that many of us have probably not seen in travel ball at the younger age groups.
http://www.thesignaturepark.com/
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Edited by - bball2008 on 09/08/2009 22:10:52 |
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baseballfamily95
7 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2009 : 19:24:08
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| I could be wrong, I feel they could have built this a little too far north. I just don't see the population density nearby to support the critical mass (however many people it may be) in the nearby area. It sounds like it will be a nice facility, and as a place to play (tournament team), I just don't know how many people will be willing to drive there. Now had they put something like this in the middle of Gwinnett County.. you draw more from the southside and don't lose many of the northeast metro players. I don't know how many players from the southeast metro will make it there. I hope I'm wrong though as it would be exciting to have a facility like this around. |
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bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2009 : 23:34:46
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baseballfamily95:
I agree with your "too far North" point from a travel team hosting standpoint, but for tourney hosting, it opens up the Carolina's. I think land costs, land availability, and Gwinnett County planning/zoning, put the kabosh on a facility further South.
Their travel teams will be mostly made up of North Gwinnett, Dacula, Collins Hill, Peachtree Ridge, Mill Creek, Central Gwinnett, Buford, Hall and Barrow County players. They are too far North to attract many Norcross, Duluth, Parkview, South Gwinnett, Loganville, Snellville, and Northern Dekalb players.
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billbclk
164 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2009 : 13:00:39
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Teams will travel to play in well run tournaments in a good venue. There are MANY, MANY teams in Gwinnett and the surrounding area that will support the venue.
Bill Clark
Collins Hill |
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bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2009 : 18:26:20
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Teams in Gwinnett and surrounding areas are STARVED for this kind of venue. A total game changer for Northeast metro area youth baseball and softball. The place will be wall to wall from day 1. I hope their bandwagon is big enough!
quote:
Originally posted by billbclk
Teams will travel to play in well run tournaments in a good venue. There are MANY, MANY teams in Gwinnett and the surrounding area that will support the venue.
Bill Clark
Collins Hill
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baseballfamily95
7 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2009 : 18:38:53
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| Bill, I agree with you completely. As far as teams travelling to play in tournaments, it certainly isn't out of the way. I think a lot will depend on facility quality and how well the tournaments are ran. I'm still not sure how many teams will actually house themselves out of Signature Park in the same manner as East Cobb. While the top level talent at East Cobb is from all over as opposed to the direct area, there is a mass of people within close proximity to the complex who can attend practice regularly. I'd be interested to see population demographics within 5,10,20 miles for each park. I'm sure they will get plenty of teams for tournaments, but I just don't see them dethroning East Cobb any time soon. It's a lot closer for me, I'm sure our teams will play there some. |
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beanball
222 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2009 : 22:35:38
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| Does anybody know the field dimensions? Are there full size fields for 15 16 or 18U events? Hard to tell from the website. |
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Critical Mass
277 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 07:52:39
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| I think it will great to have a new nice facility for tournaments....people drive to the southside to play on the crappy fields to play the Super NIT's etc....so the trek to Gwinnett won't be an issue. If the tournament hosts are know what they're doing they'll be all over this site. |
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bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 09:03:42
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Yes, there will be enough full-sized fields there to host a tourney. There is also plenty of adjacent land to expand. Right off of I-85 too. The developers traveled around the Country to places like Ripkin Park to gather their best practices. Then they designed their park around them. This should be a special place unlike any other in Georgia. Lots of focus on siblings too. They are shooting for a total family experience in an eco-friendly environment.
quote:
Originally posted by beanball
Does anybody know the field dimensions? Are there full size fields for 15 16 or 18U events? Hard to tell from the website.
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Alter-Ego
802 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 13:32:11
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I hope they can generate the revenue to support it. That is always the hard thing. It is not so much about whether it can be utilized but can it generate enough revenue to be maintained and prosper. Even as a non-profit 501 c (3) organization, there is a lot of cost upkeep to the facilities.
I am sure they did a revenue assessment going in. I just hope they get the support they have factored for because it sounds like a really nice place, and well needed on that side of town. |
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clg003
79 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 13:50:35
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| I dont see the desire to have outdoor turf fields for baseball. Infield balls die like crazy and outfield balls bounce 10 feet in the air. |
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Glove Guy
1 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 14:28:48
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Subject: Signature Park
I have been on this site many times, but could not pass up on this opportunity to share on this subject. I have been involved as a parent with the founders of Signature Park and can lend some answers to the questions. This unique "sports complex" is inspired by mothers & fathers. The founders are still requesting input from mothers & fathers. In addition to utilizing green technologies such as Synthetic Turf (fewer rainouts), solar energy, & wind turbines in an effort to educate young future athletes. Coaches, mothers & fathers needed a place where they could spend the whole day in a first class facility with amenities & activities for all. The facility will host ADA, softball, football, soccer, Lacrosse, and baseball in addition to the 30,000-40,000 square foot training facility. The sport complex is a non-profit membership organization aimed at a higher level of competition and a supporting environment of development through education.
The park directions: I-85N to exit #126, Turn Rt to Winder 1.5 mile on left. The complex is a short distance from Chateau Elan.
In regards to the being too far out, I know many families travel further to get opportunities of advancing their sons & daughters talents. Yes, the Northeast is in need of such a place.
The Fields to be designed are:
8 - 250' Fields (adjustable)
2 - 390' High School / College Fields
1 - ADA / Multi-purpose Field
Several other multi-purpose Training Fields
check out: thesignaturepark.org
BH |
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bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 15:08:55
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Isnt Ripkin artificial turf? I dont have any experience with it, so am anxious to try it out. I do know this...our team paid ~$1100 to play in 3 rained out tourneys this past season. Huge waste of time and cash to say nothing about our disappointed little guys. All 3 tourneys could have been salvaged if they had proper staffing to ready the fields after the rains passed. They made sure to get just enough games in to avoid refunds. Rubbed me the wrong way.
quote:
Originally posted by clg003
I dont see the desire to have outdoor turf fields for baseball. Infield balls die like crazy and outfield balls bounce 10 feet in the air.
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Rocky
290 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 15:10:17
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| I dont know anything about non-profits but how does a facility have instructors on site doing private lessons and charge if they are non-profit. How would a 30,000-40,000 square foot training facility break even if its non-profit. How does an ECB charge entry fees if its non-profit, I have to imagine they make pretty good money atleast the top dogs? I looked up ECB tax returns a few years ago, public information and the numbers were huge. |
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Learnpatience
69 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 15:53:21
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| All I know is that there are tournaments like the one in Monroe Ga this weekend with 18 teams for the 12U's. Most of these teams will definitely come out to play at a venue described. Sounds exciting for everyone in the state of GA. |
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Mike Corbin
523 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 16:40:15
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| I am excited to have another travel ball facility come to town. The 12u Roadrunners will certainly head up there for a couple of tournaments next spring! |
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bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 18:46:37
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ROCKY,
Non-profit doesn't mean non-revenue. Instructors can earn a fair wage for their services, and the facility can charge gate fees, tourney entry fees, ect.. At the end of the year, their revenue must equal their expenses. If they've made profit during the year, they could make a donation to Barrow County Parks and Rec for the amount they have in excess, and viola...no profit! They could give money away in the form of College Scholarships like The Greater Gwinnett Baseball League does.
quote:
Originally posted by Rocky
I dont know anything about non-profits but how does a facility have instructors on site doing private lessons and charge if they are non-profit. How would a 30,000-40,000 square foot training facility break even if its non-profit. How does an ECB charge entry fees if its non-profit, I have to imagine they make pretty good money atleast the top dogs? I looked up ECB tax returns a few years ago, public information and the numbers were huge.
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baseballpapa
1520 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 22:02:12
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| 11U Bandits also look forward to playing at this facility. JC, get the tents ready as it looks like the Bandits will be camping out in your backyard. Better yet get the rental rates for the clubhouse. Bandits have never been thrown out of a facility as nice as this clubhouse. We promise to behave. LOL |
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TAZ980002
831 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 11:34:58
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quote:
Originally posted by bmoser
ROCKY,
Non-profit doesn't mean non-revenue. Instructors can earn a fair wage for their services, and the facility can charge gate fees, tourney entry fees, ect.. At the end of the year, their revenue must equal their expenses. If they've made profit during the year, they could make a donation to Barrow County Parks and Rec for the amount they have in excess, and viola...no profit! They could give money away in the form of College Scholarships like The Greater Gwinnett Baseball League does.
quote:
Originally posted by Rocky
I dont know anything about non-profits but how does a facility have instructors on site doing private lessons and charge if they are non-profit. How would a 30,000-40,000 square foot training facility break even if its non-profit. How does an ECB charge entry fees if its non-profit, I have to imagine they make pretty good money atleast the top dogs? I looked up ECB tax returns a few years ago, public information and the numbers were huge.
Bmoser, you are a great baseball Dad AND a tremendous business man !! This forum is lucky to have your input !!
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Edited by - TAZ980002 on 09/11/2009 13:25:17 |
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rjrousseau1
81 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 13:14:12
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Yes, Ripken is artificial turf but the bounce is very true, this isn't the old astro turf (concrete?) of the 70s and 80s. In fact, considering how many tourney directors never drag the fields, I'd play on the turf any day over a grass/dirt field that is not maintained after every game, which is one of the biggest complaints you'll hear from coaches. I agree, if they run a good tourney, teams will travel to play.
quote:
Originally posted by bmoser
Isnt Ripkin artificial turf? I dont have any experience with it, so am anxious to try it out. I do know this...our team paid ~$1100 to play in 3 rained out tourneys this past season. Huge waste of time and cash to say nothing about our disappointed little guys. All 3 tourneys could have been salvaged if they had proper staffing to ready the fields after the rains passed. They made sure to get just enough games in to avoid refunds. Rubbed me the wrong way.
quote:
Originally posted by clg003
I dont see the desire to have outdoor turf fields for baseball. Infield balls die like crazy and outfield balls bounce 10 feet in the air.
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justin case
57 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 14:11:54
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The difference between a for profit company and a non-profit is the revenue created by the non-profit is not taxable. Also there are guidelines that explains what reasonable salaries that can be paid to employees. Now the non-profit is responsible for payroll taxes but again they do not pay taxes on their revenue. Also, do not have to spend all the money at the end of the year.
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Edited by - justin case on 09/11/2009 14:55:58 |
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sward
369 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2009 : 16:55:23
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I can't wait to see this place! I have heard a ton of great things about it. This will be great for baseball on this side of town.
Since moving to East Atlanta in Jan 2007, I have always felt that the 'baseball culture' is behind other baseball hotbeds. Coming from Florida the mindset around baseball and training seemed to be missing. A complex like this will do wonders for players and parents. |
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bigfan
105 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2009 : 19:04:09
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I was traveling back home from Charlotte today and decided to take a look for myself. The website says opening 2010 but when I pulled in all I saw was a gravel road and a big field. The Signature Park banner was hanging by the road but there's no way this park will be hosting tournaments in 2010.
I hope this group really builds this facility because we could sure use it. |
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bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2009 : 20:41:48
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Gotta remember, its all artificial turf. They don't need any grass grow-in time.
quote:
Originally posted by bigfan
I was traveling back home from Charlotte today and decided to take a look for myself. The website says opening 2010 but when I pulled in all I saw was a gravel road and a big field. The Signature Park banner was hanging by the road but there's no way this park will be hosting tournaments in 2010.
I hope this group really builds this facility because we could sure use it.
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Frydaddy
80 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2009 : 02:32:08
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| As a coach for a TN team we will look forward to playing here. Right now the Ripken people are doing a feasibility study on putting a facility in our backyard. The results of that study should be out in a couple if weeks. If it does come in then it will mean the world for travel baseball in East Tennessee. |
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Topic |
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New youth baseball/softball megacomplex
