Central Pounder Baseball has became a well-respected program throughout the years due to their success in the district. Teams from all around the country travel to compete against them in various tournaments throughout their season. Due to the success and potential for growth within the players, coaches and parents have requested a more complex workout facility to use for several years. As of now, the team can only practice when it is not raining. During Spring, this has become a reoccurring setback and the team has taken notice that other teams have an indoor training facility to work out in.

Coach Glen Carter began making phone calls and emailing the county with hopes to set up plans for an indoor facility during the 2016 season. After multiple unanswered requests, alumni and other baseball supporters decided to take matters into their own hands and raise money to help pay for the building supplies. Larry and Glenda Mowery, grandparents of 2016 senior Tanner Mowery, contributed greatly to help raise $14,452.00. Unfortunately, the team still fell about $10,000 short.

Without the county’s financial support, Central baseball has reconsidered their options and now plan to build a poll barn with several batting cages inside. Though it will not be completely enclosed immediately, metal walls will be added in the future when funds and approval fall into place.

“It’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission. Ooltewah and East Hamilton put up a poll barn for their field without going through the county’s rules first. I have attempted to do it the right way, [with county permission] and they continue to stop us,” Coach Carter shared on their progress.

Though their work has been repetitively put on hold, the Hamilton County School Board Architect finally emailed Carter back during Spring Break with approval and written designs. Therefore, the building process should begin soon, which means continued success for Central’s baseball team.