ROUND ROCK, Texas -- For the 20th season of Round Rock Express baseball there will be many changes.
• Round Rock Express introduces Home Run Dugout
• New addition is Top Golf for baseball and softball
From rejoining the Astros organization, to improvements around the Dell Diamond, change is the theme of 2019. One of those changes will be the addition of Home Run Dugout to an area outside of right field.
"One of the things they always challenge us on is how we get better every year," said Express President Chris Almendarez.
He hopes the addition of the Home Run Dugout, which is Top Golf for baseball and softball, makes the experience of coming to a game better. It can be simply described as
“We are socializing baseball and softball,” said Home Run Dugout co-founder Tyler Bambrick. “Why isn’t there an activity to play baseball and softball that can be social and fun with your friends?”
The idea came from Bambrick’s longtime friend, Nick Hermandorfer, after his softball games kept getting rained out and the team had nowhere to go play. The two Austin-based entrepreneurs developed the design and prototype and now will debut it at the Dell Diamond during the baseball season.
At its core, it is a batting cage with a simulator you hit into. The area also has a lounge where people can hang out.
“The ball pops up out of the ground, you hit it and see where you’re hitting in any MLB stadium. We’re also developing a lot of entertaining games,” said Bambrick.
The structure that will house two hitting bays at the Dell Diamond will be the first but they hope not the last as they continue to grow the business.