BALL SPORTS
If one thing can be said about the last year , it ’ s that COVID has turned “ the norm ” upside down . One of the most profound ways that has occurred has been with sports . While national and minor league sports teams may have the facilities and capability to operate in a manner somewhat resembling how they did before , for many local teams , families , and students , the same cannot be said . In light of that , companies like 24 / 7 Ball Sports have stepped up to the plate to fill the gap and help people get back to playing the games they want to play .
In Mankato , Minnesota , as in the rest of the state , public facilities have been closed due to COVID restrictions . That has left people without anywhere to go for winter activities while removing a large proportion of the warm weather facilities as well . The lack of public facilities and seeing the need for kids to have a space to be active is what drove Matt Mangulis and Mike Brielmaier to found 24 / 7 Ball Sports . With even the local college facilities being unavailable to the general public , Matt and Mike began reaching out to community supporters and things grew from there .
Traditional youth facilities , community gyms ( even local YMCAs ), domes , and the like were all shut down and not accessible due to COVID . 24 / 7 Ball Sports is a 24 / 7 turnkey space with access to train , blow off steam through activity , and utilize turf areas , pitching lanes , and a batting cage . The facility is supported by a combination of club memberships and community sponsorships . Being 24 / 7 , automated entry is included so people can work on their own schedules . That concept is what allows people to take part in activities when traditional spaces have locked families out . The way it works is pretty simple . Memberships are contracts which are enrolled automatically month to month after the initial contract . Contracts can be cancelled anytime , and the memberships are per family . Their facility in Mankato provides an alternative space for the community and for parents who are looking to keep their kids active .
The facility recently purchased additional fitness equipment for members to use as well . Whether members want to play
THEIR FACILITY IN MANKATO PROVIDES AN ALTERNATIVE SPACE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND FOR PARENTS WHO ARE LOOKING TO KEEP THEIR KIDS ACTIVE .
baseball , slow-pitch , soccer , fast-pitch , or other ball sports , 24 / 7 has them covered . Additionally , trainers are on staff to help provide assistance or individualized training plans for those members who wish to use them .
The rules ? Most of them are common sense . Use caution and common sense . Pick up balls and trash . Don ’ t bring outside buckets or balls into the facility . Theft is , obviously , going to result in prosecution by law and expulsion . With premium equipment and premium facilities , members should be able to make themselves at home . The facility is treated as such .
Like any business , 24 / 7 Ball Sports has insurance and a risk management plan in place . Working jobs and starting a business isn ’ t easy , and everything did not come naturally . When it comes to insurance , that couldn ’ t be more true . Not only did Matt and Mike not know what they might need in terms of insurance but they didn ’ t even know where to turn to get it . Unfortunately , their business was also unusual in terms of risk management and provided some challenges that many providers couldn ’ t overcome .
After searching the area for a company who could help provide policies for them and coming up short , they found Nesbit Agencies , who was able to help . With a wide network of providers and experienced professionals who have handled companies with complex exposures in the past , Nesbit was able to get them covered top to bottom while also providing guidance on risk management and safety programs .
COVID or not , people need to be active . Kids need places to go to play sports and get physical activity in . 24 / 7 Ball Sports fills the gap in facilities for not only their own community but also the surrounding communities , and they hope to keep growing from there . They are providing a ( much needed ) common sense solution for a very unusual problem that is being presented by COVID . Even when things go back to normal , their facilities will still boost the local community , the local economy , and give people a home away from home for their sporting activities .
24 / 7 Ball Sports is a great example of a company who has taken lemons and turned them into lemonade . In the future , they intend to expand with more instructors , the latest technology , and training tools into their long-term facility to help give back to the community . For more information about 24 / 7 Ball Sports , you can find them online at www . 247BallSports . com . +
Mike , Abby & Ellie Brielmaier
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