PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—Sluggball, a growing baseball competition centered on bat control and situational hitting, is expanding into high school baseball with new indoor programs set to launch in New Jersey this winter.
The company announced that it will host its first high school events at the full-sized indoor field at Centercourt Lawrence in Lawrence, New Jersey.
After debuting in stadiums across New Jersey and Ohio earlier this year, Sluggball’s move into high school programming represents the next step in its growth. The format is designed to give players ages 14 and older, and their coaches, a way to sharpen hitting skills in a competitive, measurable environment that mimics real-game scenarios.
“From the beginning, the goal of Sluggball was to make hitting fun, competitive, and meaningful again,” says Ruben Amaro Jr., Sluggball co-founder and former Philadelphia Phillies general manager. “Expanding into the high school space is a natural next step. Coaches and players have been asking for a version that helps younger athletes develop their approach at the plate while keeping the game exciting.”
Sluggball transforms traditional batting practice into a four-on-four, team-based hitting game. Players compete across four rounds—Pull Side, Up the Middle, Opposite Field, and Around the Horn—scoring points by hitting the ball to designated zones. Each hitter gets up to eight swings or 35 seconds, whichever comes first, emphasizing timing, precision, and strategy.
Unlike typical training sessions, Sluggball incorporates scoring, statistics, and on-site officials to simulate real competition. Each event generates box scores, team standings, and leaderboards, which are published online after the play concludes.
The upcoming high school launch includes two sessions: a free demo on Saturday, Nov. 8: from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., and the tournament on Sunday, Dec. 21, from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. for $40 per player, or $200 per team. Teams of four to six players can register individually or as a group. Registration is open to players ages 14 and up.
Founded by Ruben Amaro Jr., David Amaro, Michael Gossner, Gregory Olenski, and Ken Byck, Sluggball reimagines baseball around the art of hitting, removing fielding and baserunning to focus on offensive execution. Advisors include six-time MLB All-Star Kenny Lofton and MLB Players, Inc. managing director Evan Kaplan. The brand also collaborates with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, Victus Sports, and Blast Motion.
