A new baseball and softball training facility opened in Ashwaubenon, giving athletes in the Green Bay area another option for skill development.
D-BAT Green Bay, 3525 Layden Drive, held its grand opening April 20. The franchise is owned by James Kitchenmaster and his wife, Becky.
The facility features pitching and batting cages, with pitching machines capable of speeds up to 70 mph. It offers memberships, camps, clinics and individual lessons in hitting, pitching, fielding and catching. The center is also available for rent for corporate events or private gatherings.
The facility offers glove conditioning and repair services, including relacing, cleaning and breaking in new gloves. The latter is a process to soften the stiff leather, laces and padding of a new glove to make it pliable and easy to close.
“We have a mitmaster machine to help breaking in the gloves,” he said.
Kitchenmaster said the idea for the business began about four years ago after he identified a need in the area. At the time, only two similar facilities existed in all of Brown County. It took him three years to secure the right location and complete development.
Witt Construction partnered with Park Place Holdings, the landowner, to begin work in August 2025 and completed the project in April.
Kitchenmaster said the facility helps young athletes improve specific skills through both training equipment and personalized instruction. The center also uses technology to track athletes’ progress and measure improvements over time. He noted that data alone doesn’t capture everything.
There is a mental element to consider, when children are on the field they feel pressure and get nervous. That’s something that can be worked on, but it’s very personal and depends on the individual.
“I just want parents to understand that,” James said.
Automated pitching machines for baseball, as well as fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball, can be rented with purchased credits in half-hour increments. The machines have special pitches including a curveball.
Kitchenmaster said the pro shop at the entrance of the facility is equipped by Rawlings, but stocks products from Rawlings, Easton and Lizard Skins.
The facility is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, visit dbatgreenbay.com or follow its Facebook page.
Ariel Perez is a business reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. You can reach him at APerez1@gannett.com or view his X profile at @Ariel_Perez85.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Ashwaubenon gets a new baseball and softball training facility
Reporting by Ariel Perez, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Green Bay Press-Gazette
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