Katy Edition | April 2023

FIRST LOOK

BY COLBY ETHERTON

Customers can swing for the fences at one of 12 batting bays at Home Run Dugout.

The back patio area features a full baseball eld where customers can play. (Photos by Colby Etherton/Community Impact)

The Big Unit features chili, spicy slaw, dugout sauce, jack cheese and jalapenos.

General Manager Colby Smith has had a passion for baseball since childhood.

OUT OF THE PARK The 12 hitting bays at Home Run Dugout: Have adjustable settings for an easier or more challenging experience Have 30 baseball stadiums to choose as a backdrop

Home Run Dugout New venue oers social baseball experience for everyone D espite opening March 30, Home Run Dug- out is already a hit with the

Simulate the velocity of each hit to telegraph how the swing would fare in a stadium

of Business Administration. “[Home Run Dugout] had a proof of concept opened in Round Rock, Texas, in early 2019,” Smith said. “We started with just two bays but got an awesome response there.” The owners then turned to open- ing their rst full-scale standalone facility in Katy. The venue sports 12 hitting bays featuring ground-up pitching machines with what Smith calls a “7-mile-per-hour fastball.” “Whether you’ve played baseball your whole life or it’s your rst time picking up a bat, you’ll be able to compete with your friends on an even playing eld,” he said. In addition to hitting bays, an outdoor patio and a baseball eld,

Home Run Dugout oers a menu that includes ballpark favorites, such as nachos, hot dogs and wings, as well as healthier options. Smith said he gets the most enjoyment out of leading Home Run Dugout’s over 150 employees. “A lot of companies talk about culture, ... but there’s not always a ton of follow through,” he said. “We’ve tried to ... make this the best job they’ve ever had in the industry.” Smith said he is focused on providing the best experience for customers in Katy but hopes Home Run Dugout can expand. “We think what we’re providing is unique and has appeal to people all over the country,” he said.

Katy community, General Manager Colby Smith said, chalking up the fast popularity to its broad appeal. “Having a place that is attractive to athletes, nonathletes, young, old, foodies and beer nerds—that’s hard to nd,” Smith said. Smith played baseball at Second Baptist School in Houston and was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2006 before joining the Army with Tyler Bambrick, his friend and a Home Run Dugout co-owner. After nine years of service, Smith went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan to earn his Master

Home Run Dugout 1220 Grand West Blvd., Katy 833-384-6881 www.homerundugout.com

Hours: Sun.-Thu. 11 a.m.-midnight, Fri. 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-2 a.m.

10% OFF ANY SERVICE Only one per customer cannot be combined with any other coupon

281-747-6664 • WWW.GARAGEDOORDOCTOR.BIZ GARAGE DOOR REPAIR OR REPLACE

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