GAME OVER
Houston weekend warrior sports wonderland closing after nearly 50 years
Dec 21, 2021, 4:38 pm
GAME OVER
A cherished sports complex that has seen an estimated 1,000,000 players and fans pass through its gates is shuttering after 47 years.
Houston Sportsplex, a sprawling 40-acre complex (12631 S. Main St.) and one of Houston’s largest private athletic facilities, has been sold and will host final games and an official farewell on Thursday, December 23, with games starting at 7 pm.
“It’s a bittersweet announcement, this place is like a second home to me,” Barry Horvitz, co-owner of the longtime southwest Houston athletics complex said in a statement. “So many memories and lifelong friendships have been forged here. In fact, there are several married couples who first met while playing at our complex.”
The venue has been home to countless slow- and fast-pitch softball championships, beach volleyball, flag football, soccer, and no doubt, an earful of trash talk.
Horvitz and business partner Ronny Hecht, who have sold the property to an undisclosed buyer for future development, acquired the property in 2001 when it was then known as Softball Country Club. The duo promptly re-branded the facility to appeal to a broader range of leagues, while adding eight beach volleyball courts and four multi-use fields for soccer and flag football. They also added new concession stands and an updated indoor restaurant, per a release.
“The popularity of softball peaked in the early ’90s and unfortunately, it has slowly declined ever since,” said Horvitz. “Many of those who contributed to softball’s popularity have simply aged out of the game. Plus companies don’t field the number of teams like they used to.”
Aside from the myriad fans and players, Horvitz added that he’s also grateful for all the tournament directors, association directors, umpires, officials, referees, scorekeepers, and others who worked games throughout the years.
“Without them, none of this would have been possible,” he added. “We’ll miss hearing the crack of the bat and all the cheers, but it’s been a great run.”
Javy Báez capped a five-run third inning with his ninth career grand slam, and the Detroit Tigers avoided a series sweep by beating the Houston Astros 7-4 on Wednesday.
JAVIER BÁEZ GRAND SLAM!!! pic.twitter.com/O4WZ7W1bSm
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 30, 2025
Baez’s two-out homer off AJ Blubaugh (0-1), a 24-year-old right-hander making his major league debut, put the Tigers ahead 7-1. All five runs were unearned due to shortstop Jeremy Peña throwing error on Kerry Carpenter's grounder.
Riley Greene tied his career high with four hits.
Brenan Hanifee (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Jackson Jobe, who allowed three runs, four hits and four walks in three innings. Detroit has won five of seven and nine of 13.
Blubaugh (0-1) struck out two in a 1-2-3 first and gave up seven runs — two earned — and five hits in four innings with six strikeouts and a walk.
Blubaugh was optioned back to Sugar Land after the game.
AJ Blubaugh said he was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land after today’s start.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 30, 2025
Peña hit the first career leadoff home run, the first of his three hits, but Colt Keith hit a two-run homer in the second to put Detroit ahead for good.
First pitch. First swing. See ya. pic.twitter.com/6wIBx541an
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 30, 2025
Jose Altuve hit a two-run double in the fifth and Victor Caratini homered in the seventh against Tyler Holton.
Altuve with a 2-RBI double! pic.twitter.com/XR1zW2Zf5i
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 30, 2025
Holton struck out Yainer Diaz to strand two runners in the seventh and Tommy Kahnle struck out Christian Walker to leave two runners on in the eighth.
Houston went 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 runners.
Báez drove a high sweeper over the left-field scoreboard.
Houston allowed five unearned runs in the third inning after giving up three in its first 29 games.
Astros: LHP Framber Valdez (1-3 4.00 ERA) opens a three-game series at the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.
Tigers: RHP Casey Mize (4-1 2.12 ERA) opens a four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels and LHP Yusei Kikuchi (0-4, 4.31) on Thursday night.