D-BAT Wake Forest, a premier baseball training facility, is hitting a home run in the local sports community after its grand opening on August 19th. Located in the Merritt Capital Business Park, this state-of-the-art facility aims to provide a quality teaching environment with professional instruction, helping players of all ages and skill levels reach their full potential.
Tim Rotellini, the franchise owner of D-BAT Wake Forest, chose this location for both personal and strategic reasons. “My family and I live here in the Wake Forest area, and our kids attend school here as well,” says Rotellini. “We feel it is our community, and we want to not only live here but also build our business here.” The Town’s strong baseball culture and rapid growth made it a natural fit for D-BAT, an acronym for 'Develop Beliefs, Attitudes, and Traditions,' to carry out its mission through the game of baseball.
One of D-BAT's primary goals is to nurture the local baseball community. As Rotellini emphasized, “For D-BAT to be successful, it requires a strong community of families that have a passion for baseball. That is what Wake Forest offers and why we chose to build D-BAT in this community.” The facility is designed to inspire young athletes, with a Wall of Fame showcasing former D-BAT players who have reached high levels in the sport and a “Road to the Show” poster celebrating those who have made it to the professional level.
The local community has warmly embraced D-BAT Wake Forest, providing immense support as the business geared up to open. Rotellini acknowledged Merritt Properties's significant role in the process: “Merritt Properties was great to work with in the building process and offers a clean, safe environment for kids and families.” This collaboration aligns D-BAT with other businesses in the Merritt Capital Business Park, such as SixFour3, a neighboring softball training facility. By partnering with SixFour3, D-BAT is fostering a broader “diamond community” that enhances the baseball and softball experience for area residents.
D-BAT Wake Forest’s involvement with the community extends beyond its core business operations. Conversations are underway with the North Wake County Baseball Association to explore future partnerships, and the facility plans to engage with local charitable organizations. These initiatives reflect D-BAT’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Wake Forest while contributing to the area’s economic growth.
The Raleigh area, known for its high demand for sports facilities, provides a competitive landscape for D-BAT Wake Forest. However, the facility’s strong community ties and unique offerings position it well for long-term success. “The Raleigh area in its entirety offers a high market demand. Wake Forest is very competitive to other top locations for D-BAT that are located across the country,” Rotellini noted, highlighting that D-BAT corporate identified Wake Forest as a top choice for their next franchise location.
As D-BAT Wake Forest looks to the future, its vision is clear: to offer a fun, safe place where people of all ages can grow both in character and baseball performance. The facility will continue to provide individual cage rentals, private lessons, birthday parties, and camps, all designed to develop young athletes both on and off the field.
For entrepreneurs considering Wake Forest as a potential business location, Rotellini’s advice is simple: “If your business would benefit from a strong, family-oriented community and a town that promotes local small businesses, then Wake Forest would be a great option.”
Jason Cannon, President of the Wake Forest Business and Industry Partnership (WFBIP), praised D-BAT’s contribution to the local community. “D-BAT Wake Forest not only adds value to our local sports scene but also strengthens the community’s economic and social fabric. By fostering partnerships with Merritt Properties and SixFour3, and engaging with local families and organizations, D-BAT Wake Forest is poised to become another important pillar of the Wake Forest community. As the facility grows, it will continue to play a vital role in shaping the lives of young athletes and enriching the community it calls home.”
