ARCO/Murray, a leading design-builder specialising in national rollouts across a wide spectrum of industries, is reflecting on a recent project in Katy, Texas, where it helped operators Nick Hermandorfer and Tyler Bambrick to bring their Home Run Dugout concept to life.
This new entertainment experience invites both baseball enthusiasts and non-sports fans alike to enjoy cutting-edge batting bays where they can hit home runs into the virtual bleachers of their favourite MLB stadiums. The venue also offers quality food and beverage options.
Hermandorfer and Bambrick both have a passion for technology and baseball, which gave rise to the idea of the Home Run Dugout. They sought to provide a location where people from all backgrounds could experience the rush of hitting a home run, in a safe environment. With the rise of virtual reality and augmented reality, the pair recognised an opportunity to merge technology with baseball and provide visitors with a unique and immersive experience.
Design-build expertise
To make their vision a reality, ARCO/Murray was brought in. The firm was an ideal choice for this project as a general contractor that specialises in design-build entertainment concepts. ARCO/Murray was able to deliver on Hermandorfer and Bambrick’s idea, thanks to its experience in creating concepts with elevated food and beverage experiences, premium finishes, and proprietary technologies.
Inside the new 46,000-square-foot Home Run Dugout venue are state-of-the-art batting bays featuring proprietary technology that tracks the ball’s speed and trajectory. As a result, guests can get real-time feedback on their performance.
There is a bar and restaurant that serves high-quality food and beverages, and visitors can watch the game on one of the many TVs scattered throughout the space. The bar and restaurant has an inviting atmosphere thanks to the high-quality finishes, such as custom millwork and modern fixtures.
There is also a 12,000-square-foot “Biergarten Baseball” field with a vintage wooden outfield wall, where the venue can host events, live music, cornhole tournaments, and more. Meanwhile, the covered indoor/outdoor bar gives guests the opportunity to enjoy a cold drink in nice weather. Friends can gather outdoors in a range of comfortable areas, including picnic tables, fire pits, and lounge seating.
Bringing an ambitious vision to life
“ARCO/Murray is proud to have been a part of this exciting project and to have helped bring two ambitious entrepreneur’s vision to life,” says the firm. “As a company that specializes in building entertainment concepts, we understand the importance of creating a space that is both functional and visually appealing. The Home Run Dugout facility in Katy, TX is a testament to our expertise and commitment to excellence.”
Home Run Dugout in Katy is an excellent example of what can happen when you combine technology, sports, and food to create an immersive and memorable experience. The opening of this venue follows the success of the first Home Run Dugout location in Round Rock, Texas, which is attached to a baseball stadium.
ARCO/Murray has provided its design-build services for a number of other competitive socialising venues, such as Topgolf, Puttshack and Electric Shuffle. At the end of last year, it shared details of its work at the second US Electric Shuffle venue, which opened in Austin, Texas in November 2022.
