A Taiwan amusement company plans to bring a new venue to Mesa and Chandler that features batting cages.
Taroko Sports opened a baseball-focused gaming complex in Texas and has leased space at Mesa Riverview and at the only Potato Barn site at 865 N. 54th St. in Chandler.
“Taroko Sports is pioneering a new era of sports and entertainment,” the brokerage NewQuest Asia Pacific of Houston, Texas, said in a release. “It has spent years planning and refining the concept for its U.S. launch.
NewQuest Vice President/Managing Director Heather Nguyen, said her brokerage has signed or negotiating eight leases across Texas and Arizona and that she invests her time “into looking for new concepts to bring to America.”
Rebecca Le, NewQuest senior vice president said Taroko Sports “is filling a void in the country for a tech-driven baseball gaming experience of this caliber.”
Taroko Sports is one of the world’s largest baseball entertainment operators.
Its venues typically offer 20,000 square feet of gaming space featuring beginner-friendly to professional-level challenges.
Immersive features include high-tech batting and pitching cages, a Hit-Trax swing suite with simulated play in MLB stadiums, 5D racing simulators and other arcade games and food/beverage options.
Some locations are indoor-only while others feature indoor-outdoor experiences.
“The enhanced technology offers adjusted pitching speeds and an automatic retrieval system,” Le said, “Batting facilities in the U.S. simply can’t compare to Taroko Sports’ technology-driven and family-friendly experience.”
Le was instrumental in sourcing Taroko Sports’ newly opened 20,000-square-foot venue in Houston.
That complex has 10 batting cages with two lanes for fast- and slow-pitch softball and eight lanes of baseball with pro-level adjustable batting and pitching speeds.
Other gaming experiences include air hockey, pop-a-shot, basketball, miniature bowling, electronic darts and arcade games.
“I love bringing a new concept to the market,” Le said. I’m a broker and a consumer. I believe Taroko Sports’ tech-driven technology in baseball gaming will be well received everywhere.”
With 14 established batting centers in its native country, Taroko Sports plans to make the U.S. its largest market.
“NewQuest is thrilled to support Taroko Sports’ growth and bring its innovative vision to new audiences,” Nguen added. “Our firm has signed two new construction leases thus far and is planning to incorporate this tenant into several other developments.”
