THE UK’s first indoor destination for baseball and softball is set to open this autumn in Brent Cross Town.

The 108 - named after the number of double stitches on a baseball - will be a 40,000sq ft site offering training facilities for everyone ranging from professional teams to youth and social games, indoor softball and casual hitting practice, and anyone wanting to try out the sports for the first time.

A first of its kind in Europe, it will have four dual-sport batting cages equipped with HitTrax - providing state-of-the-art hitting simulation that can test and measure your launch angle, exit velocity and distance.

And along with the playing facilities, there will be food and drinks, big screens to watch games, a store selling baseball merchandise, and space to host parties and events.

The 108 is a new brand in the UK, established by baseball enthusiasts Maxwell Trautman and Michael Wakelam. It is supported by the UK’s governing bodies for baseball and softball and Major League Baseball.

It is anticipated The 108 will support BaseballSoftballUK, the national development agency for baseball and softball in the UK, by hosting its annual winter academies for both baseball and softball, as well as winter indoor softball leagues.

The announcement comes as London prepares to welcome Major League Baseball, with its London Series coming to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’s London Stadium on June 24 and 25.

The 108’s Michael Wakelam and Maxwell Trautman said: “We’re tremendously excited to be able to bring The 108 to Brent Cross Town.

“As passionate baseball fans our goal has always been make baseball and softball more accessible to both those aiming to reach elite levels in the sport and those wanting to try these great sports for the first time. See you at The 108!”

The arrival of The 108 is the latest in a series of facilities arriving as part of the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration programme - including the new rail station Brent Cross West which is nearing completion.

Around 20,000 people currently play baseball and softball in the UK, but the lack of access to facilities that permit year-round practice is seen as a major barrier to their growth.

But baseball has been growing in Barnet with Herts Baseball Club establishing its north-west London team at Basing Hill Park in 2019.

And last year Brent Cross Town’s Community Fund supported the club providing funding for the purchase of a baseball pitching machine.

The 108 founders have been active members of the Herts Baseball Club for many years.

Morwenna Hall, partner at Brent Cross Town developer Related Argent, said: “It is fantastic to be welcoming The 108 to Brent Cross Town and an exciting first for London, the UK and for the local community. The 108 is a great new amenity for the area, providing a fun and accessible way of getting involved in baseball, whether you’re experienced or a beginner. It also underpins our commitment to creating the place in London for play and sport offering a variety of different experiences and opportunities for the local community.”

Barnet Council leader Barry Rawlings, said: “The 108 baseball facility will be a unique new addition to Barnet, and will give local residents the opportunity to try something new, and another reason for Londoners to visit the Borough of Fun!”