The Hit Pit is the area’s newest sports training facility. As their popularity rises, It is on pace to become Union County’s baseball and softball mecca:
Beneath the shadows of the old Masonic building in Liberty, a hidden gem for aspiring athletes has emerged: The Hit Pit. Officially opened last November, this cutting-edge baseball training facility is set to transform how players of all ages practice and hone their skills. With an indoor facility, sophisticated equipment, and a community-focused atmosphere, The Hit Pit is a must-visit destination for players looking to swing for the fences, no matter what season.
This new business is the brainchild of 36-year-old Cameron Hughes. He is a former high school baseball player from Connersville and now a dedicated coach that also works as a network engineer. His passion for baseball was reignited through his daughter, Kennedy Hughes. As a 7th grader, Kennedy plays middle infielder on the Union County Middle School Softball Team and also participates in a separate travel team.
Hughes’s background in software and technology carries over into his athletic prowess. The Hit Pit features a digital baseball simulator known as HitTrax. HitTrax uses 3-D imaging, high-speed video capture, and advanced stat documentation to provide coaches and players a complete breakdown of their swing with detailed metrics such as bat speed, launch angle, and projected distance of hits.
The Hit Pit includes three 12×60ft batting cages that can easily be converted into pitching stations or used for other practice purposes as needed by coaches. This space is also ideal for ambitious high school players seeking to improve their batting and overall game skills on their own time. Hughes reports having between 30 and 40 patrons each week, ranging in age from five to sixty-five.
Cameron offers coaching lessons for beginners and veterans, incorporating the HitTrax simulator even with the youngest ages. He emphasized the technology’s ability to provide real-time assessments of an athlete’s skills as a true game-changer for coaches. “After a couple of swings on HitTrax, I will know more than a month’s worth of batting practice,” he noted
The Hit Pit is located at 9 W Market Street, Liberty. For inquiries, call 765.309.8506 or email thehitpit@gmail.com. You can also reach out to them on Facebook. Personal lessons from Hughes cost $35 per session and are scheduled in advance. One hour in the batting cage costs just $20. To rent a cage all day the cost is $100.
Once you join the team, you’ll become a Hit Pit VIP; and, accessibility is another key feature of the facility. Patrons have 24/7 access via electronically coded keycards. This conveniently allows players to train whenever it fits their schedule, providing flexibility for parents and young adults who are always on-the-go.
Adding to the local sports landscape, The Hit Pit recently donated funds to The Union County Youth League for two new banners on the outfield wall. The signs feature a bright red bullseye along with a clever challenge: During any game, if a batter nails The Hit Pit target, they win $25!
Hughes credits Burke Thomas, the building’s owner, for his support in bringing the business to fruition. “He’s a great guy and was instrumental in seeing my vision through,” Hughes expressed. “I cannot thank him enough… There would not be a Hit Pit without Burke.”
Written by Cyrus Johnson and published to Union County Connect on April 23, 2025