Business Profile: The Sandlot KC

​by Bill Althaus


The crack of the bat, the sound of a fastball exploding into a catcher's mitt and the heartfelt instruction to a youngster who dreams of being a high school softball player.

Welcome to Jeff Abbott's The Sandlot KC, 1211 SW Eagles Parkway in Grain Valley, a sports complex that offers turf-covered hitting, pitching and fielding areas along with a gymnasium and commons area for parties.

On a recent afternoon, The Sandlot KC was brimming with activity, including a first-ever batting lesson for 11-year-old Ava Schooley, a fifth grader at Sni-Bar-Elementary School.

"I want to be a better hitter and a better softball player," said Schooley, who was working with Blue Springs High School's Kam Waters, a former Grain Valley resident who has won a state championship with the Jaguars. "This is my first lesson, but I'm having fun and Kam is easy to talk to.

"I think I'm going to learn a lot here."

That's music to Abbott's ears, as he hopes to create the perfect atmosphere for softball and baseball players and other athletes.

"When kids come here I want them to have fun, I want them to learn from our coaches and I want their parents to feel safe," said Abbott, a former Blue Springs South quarterback who is making a name for himself in the world of club softball.

"We want to offer everything for our members. It was a big deal to add Kam to our staff, which also includes Lindsey Wrobleski (who many area softball fans might remember by her maiden name - Lindsey Major, one of the greatest softball pitchers in the history of Missouri prep sports).

"I watch Lindsey and Kam coach and they do such a great job. They make it fun, and informative. When parents want to know what to expect, I just ask them to talk to the kids who come here and our coaches. I'm so proud it's here in Grain Valley and I think the sky's the limit for what we want to accomplish."

It's difficult to tell who is having more fun as Waters and Ava are both enjoying their instructional session.

"This is the perfect place for me," Waters said. "I was looking for a job, and if I'm not playing softball, I want to teach kids about the game. Ava is really taking it all in, and we're both having fun - and I hope she feels like she's learning about hitting."

As if on cue, Ava nods her head yes.

For more information on the 10,000 foot facility go to [email protected] or call 816-838-3497.

Kam Waters works with 11-year-old Ava Schooley, a fifth grader at Sni-A-Bar Elementary School in Grain Valley at The Sandlot KC hitting, pitching and fielding complex located at 1211 SW Eagles Parkway. Waters, a senior at Blue Springs South High School, won a state championship with the Jaguars and has signed with the University of Central Florida. Photo credit: Bill Althaus

Jeff Abbott brings his unique softball and baseball practice site to Grain Valley with The Sandlot KC, 1211 SW Eagles Parkway in Grain Valley. The new sports site offers turf fields for hitting, pitching and fielding, a recreation area for parties and a full gymnasium. For information call 816-838-3497 or go to [email protected]. Photo credit: Bill Althaus