SEATTLE -- The Mariners announced Wednesday that they’re continuing their expansion efforts to the SoDo neighborhood with the development of The Boxyard, a complex that houses the recently opened Hatback Bar & Grille and Steelheads Alley brewery.
The expansion will add a baseball and softball training facility as well as Victory Hall, a 9,500-square-foot event space attached to Steelheads that will open ahead of Opening Day on March 30 against Cleveland.
The training facility will be an all-encompassing complex with eight batting cages, state-of-the-art technology and an open field space in the middle. It’ll host clinics and camps, Little League events, kids’ parties, corporate events and pregame activities ahead of Mariners games. There will also be a retail store and concession booth offering pre-packaged snacks, beer, wine and soft drinks. It’s expected to open later this summer.
The facility will be overseen by EL1, a national sports training company founded by former Mariners prospect Aaron Trolia and former collegiate football player Jameel Cante. EL1 and the Mariners last week announced a multiyear partnership with EL1 to expand equitable access and participation in youth baseball and softball -- specifically launching Mariners Training Centers across five EL1 baseball and softball facilities in the Seattle suburbs.
Wednesday’s announcement is a continued effort by the team to create more accessibility to baseball and softball in the region.
“The Mariners are committed to long-term investment in a vision for barrier-free baseball and softball for youth in our community,” Nova Newcomer, the Mariners' director of community relations, said in a statement. “Equitable access to facilities, instruction and advanced training has long been a barrier for low-income youth and youth of color. The launch of Mariners Training Centers provides us with a facility and partner who can accelerate our work to bring baseball and softball to more children and families in the Northwest.”
Beyond the facility opening in SoDo, these state-of-the-art venues will support team training and offer new camps, clinics and one-on-one lesson programming to support increased accessibility for area athletes from beginners and beyond. Mariners Training Centers will be available for select open facility times for community youth and leagues. The centers will also conduct free camps and clinics in communities throughout Washington and the Mariners' five-state region.
As for the new event space at the Boxyard, adjacent to the training center, it will be available to rent for corporate events, weddings and more. It’ll also be transformed into an indoor beer garden during game days and will host a variety of other public events throughout the year, including concerts, watch parties and community celebrations. The area preserved the original 1914 building’s brick walls and exposed wooden beam.
“We’re excited about the expansion of The Boxyard and hope that these new businesses will provide more economic opportunities and equitable outcomes for the broader community,” Fred Rivera, the Mariners' executive vice president and general counsel, said in a statement. This is only the beginning, and we’re looking forward to seeing this neighborhood continue to evolve and prosper.”
Daniel Kramer covers the Mariners for MLB.com.