Late-night batting cage opens in Citrus Heights

By Sara Beth Williams–
A new batting cage practice facility opened in Citrus Heights last month and has already seen “tons of support” from the community and local surrounding leagues, according to a key trainer at the facility.

Tunnel Vision trainer Jeff Williams said the facility officially opened Feb. 2 and has added 7,000 square feet of outdoor training turf, as well as a gym area, and two new pitching machines.

In addition to the support of the local softball leagues, Williams said Tunnel Vision has also had a great response to their Extra Innings Club, which is a membership program for high school-aged athletes and allows unlimited hitting practice from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

“We give them a safe place to come hang out and get extra work in for the baseball and softball seasons,” Williams said, adding that staff will often provide food on one of the weekend nights for the athletes.

According to Tunnel Vision’s website training profiles, Williams is a Mesa Verde High School graduate, was named All League in 1999 and 2000, and has over 15 years of baseball and softball coaching experience. Tunnel Vision’s second trainer, Andy Candela, played varsity through all four years of high school, was San Joaquin County section MVP in 2005, and has 12 years of competitive youth baseball and softball coaching experience.

Along with pitching machines and outdoor training areas, Tunnel Vision also operates a baseball card and sports collectables hobby shop and sells new and gently used sports equipment. In the upcoming months, Williams said Tunnel Vision has plans for spring and summer camps and clinics to help occupy students while they’re out of school.

Tunnel Vision is located at 7927 Auburn Blvd. in the Grand Oaks shopping plaza in Citrus Heights. The location is shooting for a grand opening date at the end of April, according to Williams.