MESA, Ariz. — A new entertainment venue blending sports and arcade-style fun has officially opened in Mesa.
Taroko Sports, one of Taiwan’s largest entertainment groups, celebrated the grand opening of its second U.S. location Friday at the Mesa Riverview shopping center near Dobson Road and Loop 202. The 18,000-square-foot facility offers a high-energy mix of baseball, bowling, racing simulators, and interactive video games.
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“We pride ourselves on the technology that we utilize,” said Sam Torres, general manager of Taroko Sports Mesa. “Unlike other batting cages that you've been in traditionally, ours has an LCD screen that actually simulates a pitcher throwing you the pitch. So it allows you to get some timing on the pitch—a lot better success.”
The venue features multiple batting cages with baseballs pitched between 50 and 80 miles per hour, as well as both slow and fast-pitch softball. Torres says the experience is designed for players of all skill levels.
“Even if you've never picked up a bat in your life, you can go to our slow pitch cage and it'll be lots of fun for you,” he said.
One of the unique attractions is a pitching cage where players aim for a 16-square grid in what’s called the “Perfect Pitch Challenge.”
While baseball is the centerpiece, there’s a lot more to do inside the complex. Guests can enjoy mini bowling, basketball shooting challenges, and first-person shooter video games.
“We actually even have a dart system that you can play with people all around the country,” Torres said. “It's really, really intuitive. It's really, really fun.”
All attractions operate on a tap-to-play card system which can be reloaded. Credits cost 50 cents each. A round in the batting cage—15 pitches—costs five credits, or $2.50.
If you work up an appetite, the venue offers fan favorites including corn dogs, pizza, and wings. Guests can relax in a seating area that includes more than 100 seats and 12 large-screen TVs. You can watch the game while playing one.
“Our goal—our mission—is to bring sports and sports entertainment to everybody,” Torres said.
As part of its grand opening weekend celebration, all games will be 50% off through Sunday, July 27. Taroko Sports Mesa is open seven days a week at 1738 W Rio Salado Pkwy. The company plans to open another location in Chandler later this year.
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