Area baseball coach Keen takes over Batter’s Box on Hilton Head

Sept. 04--Though he has coached the Hilton Head Dixie Boys baseball team to back-to-back Dixie Boys World Series on the side, prior to this summer, Bill Keen's day job entailed working for an insurance company.

Until now. Now he's full-time baseball.

Keen has been entrusted by owners Lisa and Don Stauffer to run the Batter's Box, a baseball training facility on Hilton Head Island, with an eye toward eventually purchasing the business, which has been open since 2010.

"I am managing it right now," Keen said Wednesday. "... They've generously agreed to let me run it until the beginning of the year to get my customer base down."

Though it never actually closed, the Batter's Box will hold its grand re-opening Saturday and Sunday, offering free lessons in baserunning, hitting, fielding (infield and outfield), pitching and catching during the two-day event.

All ages and skill levels are welcome, and hot dogs, snacks and soft drinks will be free for all participants.

Helping Keen out will be Chris Seelbach and Taylor Place.

Seelbach, a former major leaguer who pitched in seven games for the Atlanta Braves in 2000 and 2001, was the coach of the American Legion's Lowcountry Heat for several seasons and still coaches in the area.

Place was a standout at Hilton Head Island High School before moving on to USC Sumter. He'll be playing for USC Beaufort in the spring.

"I have some college, semipro experience, but Chris has professional experience," Keen said. "Taylor is a very good catcher and is going to be able to teach the kids what they need to know. He was responsible for tutoring our catching during the state tournament and the world series."

Recent renovations to the facility include the addition of two outdoor pitching areas, and Keen hopes to soon add video technology that can assist in finding flaws in a player's swing or throwing motion.

"Our short-range goals are to get some of the people under the prior instructors here to see what we have to provide," Keen said. "Our long-range goal is to make (the Batter's Box) a major part of their instruction up through high school."

Keen said the move away from his former job to a full-time baseball gig is a dream come true.

"My sons are pretty jealous of me because I'm getting to do something I've loved to do my entire life" Keen said. "I've studied baseball as much as anybody can study baseball."

Batter's Box of Hilton Head Island

What: Grand re-opening

When: Saturday-Sunday

Where: 2 Southwood Park Drive, Hilton Head Island

Schedule: Saturday -- 9-10 a.m.: Fielding (infield); 10-11 a.m.: Fielding (outfield); Noon-2 p.m.: Hitting; 3-4 p.m.: Baserunning. Sunday -- Noon-2 p.m.: Pitching; 3-4 p.m.: Catching.

Registration: Email Bill Keen at [email protected]. The child's name, age and the session(s) they plan to attend are required.

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