ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Excitement is in the air as the Rochester Red Wings are preparing for Opening Day. Before the gates open and the first pitch is thrown though, the team announced the introduction of their newest facility. Monday, March 31, the Red Wings held a ribbon cutting ceremony, officially opening their Performance Center, a state-of-the-art facility equipped with batting cages, a weight room, and a film room. The batting cages feature the latest technology, allowing player to analyze their swings, and make improvements to their power and contact. The weight room is filled with bench presses, bands, and treadmills, as well as a kitchen where players can recover with electrolytes and protein. Finally, the new film room will let players and staff go over practice and game film, and even scout opposing teams. "Over my years of coaching at the big league level," says Red Wings Manager Matt LeCroy. "I can honestly say that this is by far the best batting cages, weight room, and video technology that I've ever seen." In 2021, the team signed a contract with the Washington Nationals, their major league affiliates. The contract required the team to meet new facility standards that focused on player development. The Professional Development building was the final step in the teams $26 million effort to meet the requirements and improve the game-day experience for fans. "Todays players are bigger, taller, and more dedicated to their workouts, their mental health, and their nutrition," says Naomi Silver, the president of the Rochester Red Wings. "They're at the ballpark 12 hours a day, and they require much more than the players of 30 years ago." Though the investments were made with the idea of improving the team, clubhouse, and ballpark, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello explains that the impacts will be seen throughout the community as well. "All of these improvements are about investing in the Red Wings that have invested so much in this community," Bello said. "The economic impact that they have here, employing so many people in our community and supporting small businesses by brining all those fans downtown to their games. All of those investments really make the Rochester Red Wings a fabric of this community." The first pitch on opening day, April 1, will be thrown at 4:05 p.m. Gates open at 2:30 p.m. The first 1,500 fans will receive a knit hat, and the first 5,000 fans will receive a 2025 magnet schedule. Fans are reminded that Innovative Field will be cashless this season. In the event patrons only have cash, it can be exchanged at the ticket office for Digital Diamond Dollars. Single-game tickets for all 75 home games including opening day are on sale at the Rochester Red Wings website. ...read more read less