Jennifer Hall/St. Joseph News-Press

Mike Musser, a teacher and baseball coach at Benton High School, will open The Sandlot in St. Joseph’s South Side. The training facility will cater to baseball and softball players and teams.

A longtime baseball coach is putting his skills to work.

Mike Musser, a teacher and coach at Benton High School, is opening The Sandlot. The training facility has batting cages, pitching mounds, practice stations and space for two full teams to practice at the same time.

“(Teams) aren’t limited to outside anymore,” Mr. Musser said. “A lot of people will be able to take advantage of this.”

The business is located at the Foursquare Hope Church gymnasium at 6001 S. Ninth St. Other organizations like Young Life and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes share the space with Mr. Musser. The church’s gym still will be available to rent for events such as weddings and reunions and Mr. Musser is looking to form basketball leagues and tournaments.

“We hope (The Sandlot) just complements the other activities that are already here,” he said.

The indoor arena will be available as of Oct. 1 and open six days a week from 4 to 8 p.m. Lessons are available to boys and girls, individuals and teams. Mr. Musser is just one expert on hand to help with the lessons. Former Benton players Michael Searcy and Melissa Palmer will be two staff members available to players.

“These are people I’d want coaching my own kids,” Mr. Musser said.

Mr. Searcy, a former All-State player at Benton, played at Kansas City Community College and then was a standout at the University of Northern Alabama, while Ms. Palmer played four years at Central Missouri State University.

Players and teams can schedule time with The Sandlot or, if space allows, walk-ins are welcome.

“I’ve been wanting to do this forever and the opportunity just came open,” Mr. Musser said. “I’m proud of it. I really am.”

Mr. Musser plans to open the facility for a one-day sneak peek for free on Sept. 20. He hopes it will give the community a chance to come by. For more information, contact Mr. Musser at 752-3418.

Business reporter Jennifer Hall can be reached at jennhall@npgco.com.