By Kathy L. Collins
Knowing the fundamentals are essential to success in every day life. Learning the fundamentals in sports is integral to success. These are just some of the reasons why former Major League players, Dave LaPoint, a resident of Riverview and Damian Rolls, a resident of Tampa, have founded Fundy’s Sports Academy, located at 9854 Currie Davis Dr. in Tampa (behind Brandon Volkswagon).
Because “fun” is a part of the word fundamentals, LaPoint and Rolls want to make sure that everyone’s experience at Fundy’s Sports Academy is just that- fun. So whatever your sport, let the staff at Fundy’s Sports Academy help put the “fun” in your fundamentals.
LaPoint explained, “We are an all-sports academy specializing in teaching the fundamentals of sports. Because our facility is 14,500 sq. ft., a number of sports can be played there including kickball, dodgeball, soccer and whiffleball.”
LaPoint is a veteran of 13 seasons in the Major Leagues and a member of the 1982 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. Since his playing days, he has held a variety of jobs including pitching coach, agent and general manager.
Similarly, Rolls was a first round draft pick of the LA Dodgers in 1996. He made his Major League debut with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on September 3, 2000. Rolls played four years in the Major League.
LaPoint explained why they founded Fundy’s Sports Academy. “We started this business because we thought that southern Hillsborough County needed an indoor academy with a lot of room.” Both LaPoint and Rolls have lived in the Tampa Bay area for several years. They both have the same philosophy when it comes to teaching the fundamentals.
At Fundy’s Sports Academy, they offer pitching instruction from three distances, batting cages with pitching machines and live pitching. You can get private lessons, learn proper defense, pitching and hitting. Fundy’s is also available for parties.
Fundy’s Sports Academy opened in January. There will be a grand opening on Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. There will be lots going on that day. Come out and get pitching and hitting tips, enjoy games and food. A Q&A session with Hall of Famers Bruce Sutter, Goose Gossage, Ron Guidy and Lee Mazzilli is tentatively scheduled.
For more information, please visit www.fundysports.com.
