Local duo hoping to help return Lake County to baseball glory

LEESBURG — Lake County was once a hotbed for high school baseball.

Under coach Buddy Lowe’s tutelage, Leesburg High School was one of the top programs in the state, winning the 1977 Class 3A state title. And one of his protégés – David Lee – along with former major leaguer Chet Lemon led Eustis to state championships in 2000 and 2003, respectively.

And while Mount Dora Christian Academy has held up the mantle in recent years with Final Four appearances in 2018 and last season, Leesburg and Eustis have fallen on hard times. The Yellow Jackets have not posted a .500-or-better season since going 15-15 in 2015 and Eustis’ last winning season as 2017 when the Panthers went 17-9.

However, Thomas Prescott and Jerod Mathis are looking to reverse the fortunes of area programs.

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The pair – admitted baseball lifers – opened Power Alley Performance this week, a multi-faceted baseball and softball training facility in Leesburg. The facility is geared toward helping everyone – weekend recreational softball enthusiasts to youth, high school and even college players – improve their game.

“We’ve played with this idea for about three years now,” said Prescott. “The both of us spent a lot of long, sleepless nights coming up with the idea for Power Alley Performance. One of us might wake up at 1 or 2 o’clock in the morning and jot down ideas for it that would pop into our heads.

Added Mathis, “This facility is a lifelong dream for both of us. We both enjoy coaching and working with kids and, for me, this is a way to give back to the game that has given me so much over the years."

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A lifetime of Florida baseball

Prescott and Mathis grew up playing baseball in Florida – Prescott played for his high school in south Florida, while Mathis suited up for Lakeland High School. They eventually moved on to play in college and even attracted attention from independent professional leagues.

Once their playing days ended on the baseball field, both opted to stay involved in the game by coaching at the high school level. Prescott served as an assistant coach at Umatilla and First Academy of Leesburg before becoming at Leesburg for two seasons, while Mathis was an assistant at Teneroc in Polk County.

They also fueled their competitive juices by playing in countless slow-pitch softball leagues.

Because of the knowledge they gained from their playing and coaching careers, Prescott and Mathis are confident they can help players at all levels improve their game and progress to the next level. They also hope Power Alley Performance can help area high school coaches restore the luster that was once synonymous with baseball in Lake County.

“There has been a need for an affordable facility like this in Lake County for a long time,” said Prescott. “We can accommodate serious players looking to improve the various aspects of the game, whether it’s pitching, hitting, throwing, fielding, speed, agility and even their physical fitness. At the same time, we even welcome those who want to spend a Date Night or a birthday in the batting cage.

“We offer a great opportunity for anyone to get better.”

Mathis said Power Alley not only welcomes individual players to come and work out, but area coaches can also bring their teams in for a workout. With the finicky spring and summer weather in Florida, the facility can offer coaches an opportunity to practice, rain or shine.

Eventually, Prescott and Mathis said Power Alley Performance will have a weight set on hand for players who practice a lifting regimen. Prescott said a pitching machine is on back order and will be in place, as well.

The facility is set up to allow for multiple batting cages with live pitching, while still having room for other drills at the same time.

“We’re a full-blown facility,” said Prescott.

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Power Alley Performance might also help Leesburg maintain its level of dominance in the Florida College Summer League.

When players for the Leesburg Lightning – the FCSL’s defending champions – begin arriving in town in late May for the upcoming season, many players prefer to work out in the mornings. Prescott and Mathis said Power Alley could accommodate those early workouts and even provide them with extra batting practice.

And Power Alley doesn’t cater to just a baseball clientele.

Softball players – fast pitch and slow pitch– are welcome.

“My wife – Amber – is a former high school and college pitcher and will work with any fast-pitch pitchers who want our help,” said Prescott. “Our batting cages, strength and conditioning, and agility-drill workouts will have a positive impact on softball players and baseball players.”

Currently, Power Alley is open Monday through Friday from 3-9 p.m. and appointments can be made for Saturday workouts. In its first two days, at least 15 people – including six youth league-aged players visited the facility to check out the new digs.

As time goes on and the word gets out, Mathis said he and Prescott expect to expand the hours of operations, along with the size of the facility.

“The building next door to us is for sale,” said Mathis. “We would love to be able get into that building and have one area for pitching with multiple mounds, another area specifically for hitting and still another just for strength and agility drills. That would be the ultimate dream for us.”

Along with that perfect scenario – a veritable baseball nirvana – Prescott and Mathis believe they could raise the overall level of play in Lake County and restore Lake County baseball to its past glory.

“We want to see Lake County back at the top when it comes to high school baseball,” said Mathis. “College too. And I believe – 100% – that we can help make that happen.

“That’s why we’re here.”

Power Alley Performance

411 N. 14th Street, Leesburg

Bay #260

Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday 3-9 p.m.

Saturday, by appointment only

Walk-ins are Welcome

Team Rentals must be reserved in advance

For information contact

Thomas Prescott, 786-281-3839

Jerod Mathis, 352-702-8734

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Power Alley Performance baseball facility opens in Leesburg