GODFREY - NexGen Fieldhouse will host an open house to celebrate their new business in the Godfrey community.
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From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026, community members can stop by NexGen Fieldhouse at 5773 Godfrey Road in Godfrey for giveaways, pictures with Fredbird, and more fun. Frank Bock, who opened NexGen Fieldhouse earlier this year, can’t wait to show the community all the possibilities at the sports facility.
“We feel that in Godfrey specifically, even Alton, there’s not a lot of options for youth athletes specifically to train, develop, grow their abilities,” he said. “It goes beyond the field. It goes beyond the turf. That’s where we try to bring our leadership skills to try to help youth athletes grow not just physically skill-wise, but off the field as well.”
NexGen Fieldhouse houses a huge turf, perfect for baseball, softball and football training opportunities. They offer “everything from private lessons to group training,” along with skills camps, Bock said.
They primarily work with kids ages 4–14, though they also train high school athletes and have welcomed the Lewis and Clark Community College teams to their facility for training before.
Parents and athletes will have the opportunity to see the facility firsthand during the open house on March 7. Trainers will be available to talk about their work and goals for NexGen Fieldhouse.
In addition to a free bat giveaway sponsored by Rawlings and smoothie samples from Tropical Cafe, attendees can enjoy a swag booth, skills competitions, and more. Fredbird from the St. Louis Cardinals will be onsite for photos from 10–10:30 a.m.
The open house will be a fun chance for families and athletes to experience NexGen Fieldhouse and get a feel for how it can impact their training. Bock hopes the facility can be a spot for everyone to spend time and develop their skills. He noted that they tried to make it comfortable for parents, as well as a great space for athletes to practice.
“When we went to design it, we wanted it to be comfortable for everybody,” he explained. “Parents spend a lot of time. They invest a lot of energy inside these facilities and money. We want them to have a comfortable space as well where they can get their laptop out, they can work. Again, it’s more than just a spot to drop your kid off. It’s a space where anybody can enjoy.”
As regional director of the Rawlings Tigers, Bock knows firsthand that a devoted coach can make a big difference for kids. He hopes his team at NexGen Fieldhouse can play that role in the Riverbend.
“Growing up surrounded by sports, I know the impact that a coach, a mentor can have,” he said. “I think the more we foster that environment, and we give both families and players and the community a place to grow in that environment or be a part of that environment, I think it helps the community. We truly do believe that we’re training the future. We’re training the next generation of leaders in our communities.”
For more information about NexGen Fieldhouse, including their upcoming open house on March 7, 2026, visit their official website or Facebook page.
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