David Cruz’s passion for sports and community fueled the creation of Rep It Out LLC, an indoor baseball and softball training facility newly opening in Vallejo, CA. With over a decade of coaching experience and a background in mental health support services, David has merged his love for sports with a desire to positively impact the lives of young athletes and their families.
David grew up playing baseball in his youth. Being active helped him through some tough times, and he deeply appreciated the positive effect that playing sports had in his life. So when David’s 7 year-old daughter expressed an interest in playing Little League, he eagerly helped her prepare for the tryout. The coaches took notice of her stellar performance and invited David to join them. After just one season, he realized his true calling. From 2013 to 2018 he was assistant coach for American Canyon Little League, and continued on to coach several other clubs and teams as his girls grew up. “I was hooked,” David says, reflecting on how coaching gave him a platform to reach out to youth in his community. He saw firsthand the transformative power of sports and the lasting impact it had on the players he mentored, many of whom stayed with him from childhood through college.
Recognizing a gap in the local sports scene, David began to dream of building an indoor training facility for baseball and softball players. Outdoor training locations are increasingly hindered by inclement weather, air quality issues from fires, and a lack of field availability. These challenges limit athletes’ abilities to train consistently throughout the year. David envisioned a space where athletes could train year-round, with all the resources they needed under one roof.
Rep It Out was born from this vision. The 11,450 square-foot indoor facility offers seven hitting lanes, a fitness area, a media room with Virtual Reality technology, and a lounge area for families. The hitting lanes can be used for a variety of training methods, and the media room serves as a space for team film reviews and meetings. The facility also offers monthly memberships, rentals, classes, clinics, and showcases featuring professional coaches. David’s unique combination of coaching experience and his background in mental health allow him to approach training holistically, supporting both the physical and emotional well-being of his athletes.
Getting Rep It Out off the ground wasn’t easy. David faced numerous challenges, from securing a location to navigating permits and financing. He worked with the Solano-Napa SBDC to get assistance fine tuning his business plan and financial projections to make sure he was setting himself up for success. His advisor, Nick Burton, then introduced David to Main Street Launch in order to access capital to scale out his refined idea. “The loan pretty much made it all possible,” he explains. “I was thinking small at first—maybe just two hitting lanes in a small building—but the loan allowed me to expand to seven lanes and offer more services. Now, instead of garage-sale shopping for equipment, we have top-of-the-line facilities that athletes are excited to use.”
David worked closely with Mike McGrane – SVP Relationship Manager at Main Street Launch throughout the process. He reflects on the experience as being exceptionally caring and friendly. “Mike was phenomenal,” David says. “He was always there when I had questions, and I felt like I was his priority. The transparency and support I received made the whole process amazing.”
Looking ahead, David has big plans for Rep It Out. He envisions expanding the facility and possibly opening a second location in the future. For now, he’s focused on building a strong culture at his Vallejo location, where athletes of all skill levels can refine their technique, improve their fitness, and, most importantly, feel like they’re part of something special.
