Jason Payne had many years to think about what to include in the indoor baseball and softball hitting facility of his dreams. Graduating from Owensboro Catholic High School in 2007, and playing baseball for Kentucky Wesleyan, Payne considered a career in education or physical therapy.
“God had really put this on my heart,” Payne said of his baseball instructing career. “I wanted to be a teacher or PT before, but then I started teaching kids baseball.”
Payne began giving lessons while at KWC and then he worked at outdoor cages at local schools. He taught at The Next Level, which has since closed its doors, and then again at outdoor cages before leasing a facility for the last four years.
While there, Payne used the time to research what he would want in a hitting facility as an instructor, player, coach and parent. He also collected data from mentors and other indoor hitting facilities for what Daviess County and surrounding counties could support.
Out of this, ISO Academy Indoor Baseball and Softball Training was created. The name, Payne said, stands for Isolated Power — which in baseball is the measure of raw hitting power by the hitter. It also means to set apart, Payne said, and that is what he hopes his players learn and what his goal is to provide.
“I have made this facility as versatile as it can be,” Payne said, adding that he also purchased the best turf, netting and equipment available.
Located at 301 E. 16th St., ISO Academy Indoor Baseball and Softball Training has two sides, one for members to get time in the cages and the other side for instruction and the program Payne is most excited about using with the players, HitTrax.
Using two infrared cameras, Payne said this is the most advanced equipment in softball and baseball, something that will help players develop and, at the same time, have fun competing against players nationally. The program analyzes a ball’s exit velocity and captures real-time metrics and provides immediate results.
“I want to get kids to understand functional movement,” Payne said. “Doing as many reps as possible [on the cages side] can help to make athletes more consistent.”
Providing clinics, quality hitting games and teaching by Payne and his staff will allow players to set and obtain goals.
“They can do a baseline assessment on the HitTrax and continue those assessments over time to give a better understanding of their progress,” Payne said.
Payne said that he and his wife Ashley prayed for this opportunity and have been saving for this over the last four years and they are confident that God has provided just what they need. Payne also said none of that would have been possible without the help and support of his wife and immediate family.
Payne is extremely happy about the energy efficiency of the building and the central location and layout of the building. With radiant heating in the floors and a big fan and many garage doors, the ventilation and warmth can be controlled year-round.
ISO Academy’s grand opening is set for Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m.
“I’m happy every day,” Payne said. “This is pretty much a Cinderella story.”
More information, including how to schedule lessons or become a member, can be found on their Facebook page. Payne also hopes to offer camps, birthday party and team rentals.
