Member News

In 2001, Harold Weaver of H. R. Weaver Building Systems built In the Net Sports Complex for a local doctor who wanted to run soccer programs. However, after the building sat empty for several years, Weaver bought the property at a sheriff sale. What started out as just the building’s dome and some outdoor soccer fields has grown to include the massive structure and outdoor baseball fields that In the Net sports today (pun intended).

Sue Errichetti-Frye, the complex’s current general manager, started at In the Net part-time in 2006 as a cafe manager. Her boss at the time groomed her to take over the general manager position, which she eventually did. Brad Frye, Sue’s husband, is the current assistant manager. Once in their management positions, the couple worked on getting everything organized at In the Net. Their goal was to get everything “up and going,” to have a variety of events, and to make the facility profitable.

At the time that she took over management at In the Net, Sue said “there was only a little soccer going on and some lacrosse.” Today, activities at In the Net include flag football, dog agility, ultimate Frisbee, field hockey, softball, baseball, and more!

“In 2006-2007, there were 6-7 weekends where the facility sat idle,” Brad explained. “Now, we’re turning people away because we don’t have the availability.”

Dog agility trials were one sport that Sue was surprised gained so much popularity at In the Net. Canine teams come from out of state and even overseas to compete at In the Net. Having never considered hosting dog agility trials before, Sue was shocked at how well the first event went, stating that the dogs were “cleaner than some of the sports events.”

Sue and Brad have tried different events over the years, including a New Year’s Eve lock-in. The most unique request they ever received was to host a Greek wedding at the facilities, something which surprised them but that Sue and Brad were “sure they could make happen.”

In the Net’s facilities can be rented for birthday parties and corporate parties/events. Birthday parties cost $225 and include 1 ½ hours of turf time and time in the party room enjoying pizza, drinks, and birthday cake. Local sports teams can likewise rent out the fields at In the Net for their practices. Costs for practice rentals vary based on the time of day, the season, and how often the team practices at In the Net.

There are currently five teams from Palmyra High School that practice and play at In the Net full-time. Teams from Lebanon Catholic, Mt. Calvary, and Conestoga Christian also either hold practices or games at In the Net. According to Sue and Brad, the facilities are great for local schools that don’t have their own turf fields.

In the Net recently hosted its largest baseball tournament to date, hosting 88 teams over one weekend. The tournament, which is run in-house, took place on the new baseball fields which were installed in 2015. From 2014-2015, In the Net saw an increase of over 400 baseball teams come through its facility between March and November. December through March serves as the facility’s busiest time with a number of little league teams coming through.

Baseball provides the biggest revenue for In the Net, which besides tournaments facilitates 12 baseball teams, including the Central Penn Renegades, and 3 softball teams. Travel teams could come from all over, including Canada, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts.

Sue and Brad both pointed out that hundreds of teams that come to In the Net are from outside of the area, which helps to spur the local economy. When outside teams visit, they need somewhere to eat and someplace to stay, thus supporting local establishments.

In addition to the baseball tournaments, In the Net also has a baseball and softball academy in the front of the facility. In the Net took over B2B Baseball two years ago, and it continues to offer softball and baseball training. The baseball academy features a small field and six batting cages, as well as trainers available to help teams who wish to rent out the space or members of the public who want to brush up on their skills.

In the Net’s plans for the future include constructing another building near its current location on Airport Road in Palmyra. This newer building would be a smaller turf building, but would increase the capacity that In the Net can accommodate and allow for more winter rentals. Sue and Brad also hope to hold more “expo-like” events in this new building. Expected completion of the new location is mid-November of this year.

Sue and Brad’s goals are to continue to keep In the Net full and booked, and to bring new weekend events and daily training opportunities into their new facility.

When asked what his favorite part of his job is, Brad replied that it is the diversity of every work day. On a day-to-day basis, he could be working inside and/or outside, with a number of other people, or on his own. He enjoys the fast-paced environment, always jumping from one task to the next.

Sue similarly enjoys interacting with her clients on a daily basis. Her favorite aspect of her job is running the baseball program at In the Net and being out on the fields with the different teams.

Anyone interested in learning more about In the Net can contact Sue at sue@inthenet.com or call 717-838-8706. More information is also available at inthenet.com.