You don’t have to show up to Nats Park to enjoy America’s favorite pastime. Instead, get a feel for the game yourself by visiting The Ballpark Loudoun in Ashburn, opening May 14, where you can see how your swing fairs in your favorite (albeit virtual) stadium.
Think of it as Top Golf — but for baseball. Players use one of the location’s eight lanes or four entertainment suites to head to batting practice, seeing where their swing would head as if they were on the real diamond. Using technology from HitTrax, a training system that brings gameplay to the batting cages, The Ballpark allows users to track, adjust, and improve their hitting by providing advanced analytics, metrics, and statistics. It is home to the first HitTrax showcase facility in the United States.
Combining eSports with the real-life game, The Ballpark offers multiple game modes. Home run challenge is the standard format — just hit the ball over the fence or it’s an out! — where dimensions of the stadium are scaled to skill level, and distance boosts enhance the fun. Multiplayer team battles allow for double plays, sacrifice flies, and long doubles off the wall. For devotees, practice mode gives you real-time metrics will still show you how well you are doing. Feel free to take some good, old-fashioned swings.
While the game modes are offered in both the lanes and entertainment suites, the suites also are ideal for group gatherings and special occasions, complete with a lounge area with drink rails and seating. And whether it’s for a corporate event or birthday party, The Ballpark is also ready to host your next large get-together, with multiple packages available for purchase.
Leagues are also available for those looking to get in a season of competitive virtual play, with options ranging from a 10-12U League to one for those 55 and up, and various memberships are offered to patrons who wish for unlimited lane use and discounts on events.
The experience isn’t limited to baseball. You can grab a bite at the Home Plate Restaurant & Bar, where you can enjoy true ballpark favorites like hot dogs and pizza — or snag a bite of the Korean fast-casual menu items. An on-site Baseballism store can provide you with varying apparel dedicated to the game.
The Ballpark’s hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Depending on the day and time, pricing ranges from $60-$80 per lane for an hour of hitting time, and gaming suites are $70-$90 per hour and per suite.
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