Sports Business In Centerbrook Offers HomeField Advantage

ESSEX, CT — Timing is everything, right?

HomeField indoor sports facility in Centerbrook, proudly opened its doors for business on March 3, 2020 and just ten days later the country shut down. Persevering through an unprecedented worldwide pandemic, along with the learning curve of a new business, the folks at Homefield have come out the other side of an unforgettable year with high spirits, new skills and a busy, growing business they are grateful for.

The multi-sport training facility, is located at 47 Industrial Park Road, Centerbrook. It is the brainchild of Ryan Spearrin and Nick Surdo. The team had always wanted to start a business together and the area was lacking local indoor sports opportunities. So, they went for it; offering baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, basketball, golf, pickleball, dodgeball, martial arts/fitness, yoga and of course, nerf wars and cornhole in the summer.

The HomeField website states, that the facility was created for the community to promote the best opportunities for local athletes. It goes on to say, “As co-founders with a strong passion for sports, (one of whom has lived in the Tri-Town area for over 40 years), we understand the need for a year-round sports training facility.”

After being shut down last March, only partially open in the summer of 2020 due to the virus, and getting back up to speed this winter, HomeField has successfully secured a customer base in the area and recently expanded the facility to include full basketball/volleyball court flooring and air conditioning, just in time for summer.

“The most rewarding part of this business so far has been watching the players come out and learn from our professional coaches and have a great time,” said Spearrin, whose own daughter Carley, is heavily involved in softball and is making great strides in the sport, taking full advantage of the professional instruction available at HomeField.

He added, “It’s also nice to know we are offering a place to local athletes, that is close to home, so parents don’t have to drive so far for indoor sports opportunities.”

Spearrin said the hardest part of growing this new business has been overcoming Covid-19 setbacks.

“I get it, being a parent. In the beginning it was tough to get people comfortable enough to come out and use the facility because of the virus, even though we are constantly cleaning everything. Now that the restrictions are loosening up, more and more people are coming out and we are booked up, which is nice.”

In addition to the downstairs court area, there are five batting cages upstairs at the facility, three of which can be used for pitching also. When not in use for sports training and instruction, the facility can be rented out for activities, birthday parties and private lessons.

HomeField offers two turf fields that are available for rent. The Open Field is an 85’ X 50’ turf field and can be utilized for any sports training including baseball/softball, volleyball, soccer and more, and the Arena is a 50’ X 45’ turf field, fully netted and protected. The use of any hardball is permitted in this area, including batting practice, lacrosse, field hockey, etc. The Arena can be divided into individual batting/pitching tunnels and can be rented individually.

Spearrin hopes to expand more in the future and said that he and Surdo are grateful for the support from the local community. They are looking forward to a successful, busy summer season.

For more information about HomeField’s offerings go to www.homefield.com.

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