PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT! ...OR ...DO IT UNTIL YOU GET IT RIGHT!
Dan Haugh – Badger Media Liaison

That is pretty much the approach that Adam Stern has taken over the past five years or so as he has worked to create a vision that will be on display at the Grand Opening of the newest version of Centrefield Sports at 25 Midpark Crescent in southeast London on October 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m..

This new 35,000 square foot training facility will be the largest indoor baseball training facility in Canada and one of the largest of any kind as it will be able to host many sports besides baseball. Including, slo-pitch, football and soccer.

Adam spoke of the vision that was in the back of his mind for the past four or five years,"I knew there was a need for some indoor batting cages, so we leased a 1,500 sq ft spot in Northwest London and just used it for our own training as well as a few kids. It gradually progressed to our spot on King St. in 2008 which was 7,000 sq. ft., and then last year our 12,000 sq. ft. facility in south London. I always wanted a training complex that could house multiple sports and allow kids or anyone to take their training year round, which has now lead to the near 40,000 sq. ft. place we are opening this fall. This new spot is a huge jump for CentreField Sports but this space became available and I couldn't turn it down.”

Adam Stern and his two close buddies Chris Robinson and Jamie Romak have just returned from a two week stint in Puerto Rico where Team Canada qualified for next year's Pan American Games. All three played major roles in Canada's success with Robinson and Romak being named tournament all-stars and Jamie Romak being named overall tournament MVP., but they are all ready for the grand opening of Centrefilds Sports where they take on significant roles and trainers and teachers.

Chris Robinson commented on the progress of the new Centrefield Sports, “The new facility is going to be unbelievable. Just seeing where it is now in September from where it was last year when we left for spring training is night and day. Adam has put a ton of time and effort into making this facility one of the best in Canada if not the best and I think that now with the vast open space, the opportunities are truly endless. Add this facility to the professional instruction we offer and the equipment we use, these players are getting the most elite winter baseball experience available in the country. I can only imagine how much time I would spend at Centrefield Sports if there was something like it when I was growing up.”

Romak who hit a tournament-high five home runs on his way to being named MVP in the Pan Am qualifier also had some comments about Centrefield Sports, “Every year all of us at Centrefield Sports learn more about the game, and we get to bring it back home and pass it along to the next generation. I look forward to seeing all the kids again and hopefully being able to help them along in their own baseball careers.”

Adam Stern had some final comments about the work that has gone into turning his vision into reality, “Trying to set up the new facility while also playing during the spring and summer is a tough balancing act. Luckily I have a good support staff of my father Joe, my General Manager Tracy Regan as well as all the trainers, Chris Robinson, Jamie Romak and Mike Lumley and of course my very supportive wife Jenna. Without everyone carrying the load this wouldn't be possible.”

Although he has had a lot of fun getting to where he is, Adam says, “This is hopefully my last move and a facility where I can be for many years to come. It has the size that I wanted to give me flexibility for multiple sports including soccer, football and any sport that uses grass to train or play.”

Don't miss the Open House at Centrefield Sports on Saturday October 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.