As I entered Wrecking Yard Baseball, I was welcomed by Will Kiger, the Chief Operations Officer. Kiger briefly explained that Wrecking Yard Baseball provides local student-athletes a place to hone their skills along with knowledgeable instructors who are prepared to work with all ages and skill levels.
As we walked further into Wrecking Yard Baseball, I quickly noticed that the batting cages were nothing like the batting cages I used when growing up. Two cages were being utilized, one for hitting and the other for catching lessons. Kiger explained that cameras are used to track the launch level of a ball after it is hit, the flow of the hit, and provide a slow-motion feature of the swing. This information is shared via email with the customer.
Wrecking Yard Baseball provides cage rentals and individual lessons, hosts several travel teams, as well as offers a location to host birthday parties, and so much more.
Mason Morioka founded Wrecking Yard Baseball with the vision of educating baseball in the South Bay. Morioka was a four-year varsity letterman at West Torrance High School and received a baseball scholarship to the University of San Francisco. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Morioka continued his playing career for various independent professional teams.
“Our clients come from all over. Wrecking Yard Baseball provides pitching and catching lessons, lessons in field agility, and strength and conditioning training. Our coaches believe that the game of baseball has given them so much; life lessons of dedication, determination, and love, that it’s time to pay it forward to the next generation of young student-athletes. The facility opened in July of 2022 and since that time we have seen so much growth,” stated Kiger.
Wrecking Yard Baseball just begun, Little Wrecking Crew. This is a program for kids one – five years old with a focus on motor skill development, socialization, and baseball/softball skills. This is a parent/child case that will enable a child to have a level of comfortability and familiarity while being exposed to new experiences.
Walking through the facility, I met so many welcoming individuals. These were staff, or members of their Wrecking Crew, who seem to thoroughly enjoy their job. I spoke quite a while to Natalie Morioka, Mason’s wife, who was extremely passionate about the concept of Wrecking Yard Baseball and the people in the South Bay community she has met.
National Small Business Week, designated by the Small Business Administration, was celebrated last week. It is businesses like Wrecking Yard Baseball, a small business, who stimulate economic growth and create meaningful jobs.
The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce thanks Wrecking Yard Baseball for being a member of the chamber. For further information please visit; www.wreckingyardbaseball.com