There currently aren’t any development plans for the future Big League Dreams complex, but once the City finalizes the annex acquisition (500 acres north and south of CA-4), the developer said the project is pretty much “ready to go.”

The complex would be very similar to the current facility in Manteca, but the developer acknowledged at Saturday’s Community Update event that the market for these services in Hercules is much more attractive as a regional draw (Pinole, Hercules and Rodeo obviously, but Martinez, Richmond and Vallejo as well, even El Cerrito and Concord).

The layout would be quite simple — six replica baseball stadiums (little league size) in a circle surrounding an indoor soccer field in the middle. There would also be batting cages and bars and restaurants scattered throughput the complex. When asked, the developer said the soccer field structure would feature roll-up, windowed doors that would remain open as the weather permits. The non-moving portions of the structure would also be mostly windows. As a result, the indoor field would feel much more open than a typical unsightly soccer barn. The indoor stadium would include room for bleachers. Because there would only be one soccer field, soccer events would most likely be limited to local league play.

The ball fields would be used for U-14 tournament play on the weekends (which currently generates the demand of 180 keys for local hotels in Manteca, at a minimum, and should be the same in Hercules, if not more) and beer-league softball on weeknights, which is also somewhat of a cash cow operation. I know this from experience. I ran a now-defunct softball team for a few years in the Concord league, the largest competitive league in Contra Costa County, and the fees approached $1000 per team (that assumes many out-of-town players, which would be likely for a Hercules league). There were five fields — of which three were in good condition, but nothing impressive — and at least 100 teams (men’s, women’s, co-ed). Hercules would simply dominate the market if bay area softball players had the opportunity to play in a replica Fenway Park or Tiger Stadium. There is no doubt. And, as expected, a lot of players after the games headed to the local pub and spent more money (there was only one within walking distance in Concord).

From all directions, Big League Dreams has the chance to be a big moneymaker for the City — hotel stays, retail and dining, league fees, etc. — and it offers an attractive alternative to a big-box strip mall along Highway 4.

The City has retained political consultant Thomas Koch in its efforts to annex the property. Koch previously worked on the Waterfront Now initiative for AndersonPacific.