All-Ages Baseball Facility Opens in Glendora

After months of anticipation from the local baseball community, Frozen Ropes, an all-ages baseball training facility, celebrated its grand opening in Glendora this weekend.

La Verne residents and owners Deron Marquez and John Carranza opened the 17,000 square foot facility on the corner of Amelia and Route 66 a month ago, but celebrated the store’s ribbon cutting Saturday.

The training facility boasts 10 batting cages, each designed for specific age groups or perfecting game techniques, and a variety of classes for a wide range of ages.

Marquez and Carranza, both parents of children in Glendora youth baseball programs, aimed to open a center where children of all ages and skill levels could have the opportunity to perfect their game.

“The mission hasn’t changed,” said Marquez on grand opening night. “We still want to be a community-based facility. We’re providing a service, and that service is baseball training.”

Carranza said community interest in the new training center grew even before doors opened. Frozen Ropes has partnered with local youth baseball leagues and school baseball programs such Glendora National and Lassie League. The facility has also hosted league signups at its location.

“Before we had a chance to do anything, they started coming to us,” said Carranza.

Frozen Ropes is a national training franchise with 23 other locations across the country. Each facility, open to all ages and levels, focuses on a specific training methodology for baseball and softball, including pitch recognition, visual and hitting mechanics and mental skills.

Athletes have the opportunity to sign up for private or group instruction with trained professionals and have access to a variety of training equipment, including multiple batting cages, an indoor field and game rooms.

But Frozen Ropes not only provides baseball instruction. The training facility also offers skill and technique development for softball players.

Shelby Crall, a former Glendora High School pitcher and 12-year softball player teaches group softball lessons at Frozen Ropes.

“I used to always go to the baseball cages in La Verne,” said Crall. “For other specific exercises we would have to go outside. And if it rained we would have to do it in the rain or go home.”

For years, the space at 2244 E. Route 66 had been empty, and local residents hope Frozen Ropes will be a lasting fixture in Glendora.

“There are batting cages, but this place is focused on the total game and it’s also promoting softball,” said Rich Padilla, NCAA umpire and Glendora resident. “There really isn’t a place like it nearby.”

Frozen Ropes in Glendora is open Monday – Thursday 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Fri 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday by appointment. For more information on classes and rates, visit www.frozenropes.com/glendora or call 626-335-3700.