'The Basement' officially opens in Chester

<span>In a very Rocky-esque way, the new indoor batting cage/pitching facility in Chester stresses grit over glamour.</span>

<span>Located below Subway, "The Basement" features several individual hitting stations and a batting cage (with pitching machine) that runs along one wall.</span>

<span>"Basically, I had the net at the house and it just didn't work functionally," said Owner Craig Mitchell. "So I got together with the previous owners, who happened to be our travel ball coach, and he told me about 'The Basement.'"</span>

<span>Mitchell said he set up his equipment at the location and had it in operation privately for several years until he purchased the building from the previous owners.</span>

<span>"Once they did that, I opened it all up and got the previous stuff out of here," Mitchell said. "Now, we've got a big basement where we can hit, pitch and hit ground balls."</span>

<span>Mitchell said he already has had several travel ball teams and high school teams use the facility. </span>

<span>"I had the high school boys down here and the high school girls down here and they put it through the test," Mitchell said. "Everything went really well."</span>

<span>Mitchell said the ultimate goal is to "make better baseball and softball players" without them having to travel for hours to do so.</span>

<span>"It gives kids a place to go and work out," he said.</span>

<span>Mitchell said availability is by appointment at this time. He can be contacted at 618-791-1790.</span>

<span>Rates are $30 per hour.</span>

<span>"We're going to have to do appointments for awhile until I can work this out," he said. "I'll be helping out with the girls' softball team this year, so everything will have to be in the evenings or on the weekends.</span>

<span>"If a travel ball coach or school coach - or a parent wants to work with their kids - just give me a call and we'll set something up."</span>