Donovan keeping EL kids together at 'The Clubhouse'

September 22, 2023 10:16 pm • Last Updated: September 22, 2023 10:16 pm East Lyme — Local baseball has no apparent connection to the National Basketball Association, aside from perhaps this: Traveling is inevitable. And this is what inspired Todd Donovan to take his swing at the concept of community, soon opening “The Clubhouse,” a 5,500 square foot extravaganza dedicated to teaching baseball to the kids in East Lyme and, more importantly, keeping them together. “The main reason I’m doing this,” said Donovan, who grew up in East Lyme and pays the bills now as a scout for the Phillies, “is because the travel world in any sport has become inevitable. I see it on the ground level as a dad and as a coach. Travel baseball has killed Babe Ruth. It’s killed American Legion. But this is an idea dedicated to the idea of community.” The two-minute drill version of Donovan’s dream: The Clubhouse, located in the East Lyme Industrial Park next to ABC Gymnastics, will open in November, Donovan said. Under its roof, Donovan plans to offer pickle ball courts and baseball and softball training, memberships, court and rental facilities, youth programs, individual and group lessons and camps
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