ELON, N.C. — Hundreds of Elon baseball supporters and community members gathered at Latham Park on Saturday morning to dedicate the program's recently completed Baseball Performance Center.
 
The event included remarks from Director of Athletics Dave Blank, President Connie Ledoux Book, Board of Trustees chairman David C. Porter and head baseball coach Mike Kennedy.
 
Located along the right-field line at Latham Park, the indoor facility features four batting cages and garage bay doors that will allow student-athletes to train year-round, rain or shine. It also includes TrackMan, a radar-based ball-tracking system that will further assist with student-athlete development.
 
With the facility's completion, Latham Park further cements itself as one of the best small university baseball facilities in not only the CAA, but also the country.
 
"The importance of facilities to any program cannot be stressed enough," Blank said. "You have to have great players and, for me, the right coach. But the facilities really make your program. The ability to develop student-athletes and be able to show something like this facility to recruits, I can't tell you how important it is. I want you all to know you just put a huge mark in the ground for the future of Elon baseball, and we're really grateful for everybody who has been involved in this project."
 
"We have this bold vision about where we are heading with Phoenix athletics," Book said, "and this facility and the contributions and support that all of you provide exemplify that bold vision."
 
The Performance Center was completely funded by the Elon LEADS Campaign, the largest campaign in University history. The campaign supports four main funding priorities: scholarships for graduates the world needs; access to engaged learning opportunities such as study abroad, research, internships and service learning; support for faculty and staff mentors who matter; and developing Elon's iconic campus.
 
"This facility will impact so many students who come through this building," Kennedy said, "and we're just so thankful for President Book and Coach Blank and his leadership and understanding of what it takes to be successful at this level. College baseball is growing all over the place, and to know our leadership understands that and promotes giving us something like this is really incredible and gives us a chance to continue to be successful and compete at a high level."
 
The Phoenix will return to Latham Park on Sunday to host Wofford in its second fall scrimmage. The 14-inning exhibition is slated for 2 p.m.