“Having a place that is attractive to athletes, nonathletes, young, old, foodies and beer nerds—that’s hard to find,” Smith said.
Smith played baseball at Second Baptist School in Houston and was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2006 before joining the Army with Tyler Bambrick, his friend and a Home Run Dugout co-owner. After nine years of service, Smith went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan to earn his Master of Business Administration.
“[Home Run Dugout] had a proof of concept opened in Round Rock, Texas, in early 2019,” Smith said. “We started with just two bays but got an awesome response there.”
The owners then turned to opening their first full-scale standalone facility in Katy. The venue sports 12 hitting bays featuring ground-up pitching machines with what Smith calls a “7-mile-per-hour fastball.”
“Whether you’ve played baseball your whole life or it’s your first time picking up a bat, you’ll be able to compete with your friends on an even playing field,” he said.
In addition to hitting bays, an outdoor patio and a baseball field, Home Run Dugout offers a menu that includes ballpark favorites, such as nachos, hot dogs and wings, as well as healthier options.
Smith said he gets the most enjoyment out of leading Home Run Dugout’s over 150 employees.
“A lot of companies talk about culture, ... but there’s not always a ton of follow through,” he said. “We’ve tried to ... make this the best job they’ve ever had in the industry.”
Smith said he is focused on providing the best experience for customers in Katy but hopes Home Run Dugout can expand.
“We think what we’re providing is unique and has appeal to people all over the country,” he said.
Out of the park
The 12 hitting bays at Home Run Dugout:
- Have adjustable settings for an easier or more challenging experience
- Have 30 baseball stadiums to choose as a backdrop
- Simulate the velocity of each hit to telegraph how the swing would fare in a stadium
1220 Grand West Blvd., Katy
833-384-6881
www.homerundugout.com
Hours: Sun.-Thu. 11 a.m.-midnight, Fri. 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-2 a.m.
