A premier sports center has hit a grand slam since opening day in Wake Forest.
SixFour3, a premier girls’ fastpitch softball center, has more than doubled its membership since first opening its doors this past summer. “We’re really excited about the loyal following from both the Parks and Recreation families and many travel softball families,” says Erik Archambault, Partner at SixFour3 Wake Forest. “We’ve had an extremely high retention rate and many great referrals from members to friends.”
The center hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in October 2022, drawing over 200 people. Attendees were able to talk with trainers and try out the facilities and the newest bats and mitts from Rawlings, Easton, and Demarini. Plentiful and local food from Real McCoy’s and ice cream from FRESH. Local Ice Cream. “Given our convenient location, we had a number of family, friends, and businesses attend,” says Archambault. SixFour3 is located in the new Merritt Capital Business Park off Ligon Mill Road.
Before opening its doors, SixFour3 gained traction in town after partnering with Athletics Director Ed Austin and colleague KP Kilpatrick with the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department to host a softball clinic in March of 2022. That clinic was so well-received by the community another is scheduled for early this March. “We’re delighted to see how well SixFour3 has been welcomed to Wake Forest and appreciate the quality of life investments it is making for our residents,” says Jason Cannon, President of the Wake Forest Business and Industry Partnership. “Their business truly embodies the essence of our Town, and we’re excited to see partnerships continue to develop through additional clinics, business-to-business relationships, and a prime location.”
Apart from the Town, SixFour3 has received a fantastic response from local high schools and Wake Tech Softball as winter workouts commence. “We are very pleased to work with Robin Pate, Brian Anweiler, and Head Coach Pete Rose of Wake Tech,” says Archambault. “The administration and coaching staff have invested in facilities, equipment, and coaching, and we can’t wait to see them in action in the Spring.”
The remaining members are community coaches and parents who have been able to expand practices to both skill development and conditioning since joining SixFour3. “Parents and other family members have all thanked us for providing a space completely designed for girls to have fun working out and practicing in a very ‘positive space’,” says Archambault. “We’re honored to be one part of the experience: seeing families come in and genuinely enjoy training with each other, creating a love of practicing that will pay off in game performance.”
Archambault is no stranger to the sport. His daughter played travel softball when his family moved to the area in 2014. They were first introduced to SixFour3 at the Manassas location, where his daughter’s head coach would have them frequently travel for practice. So impressed with the facility, Archambault jumped at the opportunity to invest in and help manage the Wake Forest location alongside its Director of Operations, Mark Hahn. Hahn, a former partner at a training facility in Raleigh for many years, was intrigued by the prospect of a wholly dedicated softball facility, the success of the first two SixFour3 facilities, and the chance to be on the frontier for fastpitch softball training in Wake Forest.
“Mark Hahn and I love to hear the stories that players tell us about tournaments or games they played in,” says Archambault. “Seeing these kids light up when they tell us of a great play or big hit they had is a wonderful feeling and part of what inspires us every day.”
Archambault says SixFour3’s success and appeal are rooted in the unique design and materials used in the physical building and the member experience. The center provides anytime access, a Shop Wall enabling members to demo bats before buying, self-service purchasing, and experienced trainers. “We have trainers with over 25 years of experience. Some recently graduated from Division 1 programs, and many have crafted their training approach for years to give practical, fun, and efficient lessons that help our members develop their skills and enjoyment of the game.”
The new year brings plans for a mix of specialized clinics in Wake Forest that give players unique instruction they can take and apply to their own workouts. For example, USA Softball player and College World Series star Odicci Alexander recently completed a three-week guest training event and is leading a January 14th “Ultimate Competitor” Clinic. She will be joined by fellow James Madison stars Alyssa Buddle and Michelle Sullivan, along with Campbell University standout Megan Richards.
“Our vision of an Ultimate Competitor is a player who is motivated, relentless, team-focused, and joyful,” says Archambault. “Any player from six years old and up can be an Ultimate Competitor, our trainers are so excited to share their knowledge and experience with members; it's truly contagious!”
As for the company as a whole, SixFour3 will be announcing expansion plans into other communities early in 2023.
