The nonprofit baseball organization known as League 42 in Wichita is moving ahead with plans to build an indoor practice facility.
The league wants to renovate an existing building across from its baseball complex at McAdams Park near downtown.
Businessman David Murfin owns the property on East 17th Street and offered the league a nominal lease agreement.
League 42 executive director Bob Lutz says the building will provide a venue for baseball training and academics.
"We will also use [the practice facility] as a learning center/computer lab for kids to go to after school and get tutoring or instruction or whatever they need," Lutz says. "That’s something we are very committed to making that happen."
League 42 is planning to have the building ready for the 2019 school year. The league had nearly 600 kids playing baseball on 42 teams this past season.
The organization, named after baseball legend Jackie Robinson, started in 2013 for boys and girls 5 to 14 years old.
The league offers an affordable registration ($30 per family, not per player) and provides each player with a full uniform (jersey, pants, belt and hat), a baseball glove and additional playing equipment such as catcher's gear, bats and balls.
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