Ask any equipment manager what it's like running a clubhouse during spring training, and you won't hear about the sunshine. You'll hear about bats in bins, cleats on shelves, and gear that always seems to multiply. That's because baseball equipment storage has to do more than just hold stuff. It has to make space for high-traffic rooms, stand up to wear from daily use, and stay organized enough that players can grab what they need — without needing to slow down.
We've seen what happens when baseball equipment storage works (and what happens when it doesn't). And we've helped more than one big league facility get their spring training storage right. From Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota to Pirate City in Bradenton, we've seen firsthand how the right storage setup can turn a cluttered room into a clean, secure, game-day-ready space.
A Big-League Upgrade in Baltimore
When the Baltimore Orioles began renovating Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, the design brief was clear: keep it clean, keep it sharp, and make it work. That applied to the locker rooms, the player areas, and especially the equipment room. And with spring training right around the corner, the gear room couldn't afford downtime.
Patterson Pope sales rep Tom Kelly teamed up with the Orioles' Equipment Staff and Planning Lead Janet Marie Smith to design a system that could handle serious equipment volume and still look sharp enough to match the stadium's refreshed style.
"They wanted it to look really nice and clean," said Kelly. "In that particular facility, the players go into the equipment rooms themselves and get their stuff — catcher's gear, bats, helmets, balls, shoes, hanging items, and the like."
The solution combined Spacesaver mechanical-assist mobile shelving with woodgrain laminate panels for a polished look that didn't skimp on durability. Safety sweeps protected players during access, and cleat-resistant carpet tiles kept the floor from shredding under daily abuse from spiked shoes.
It was part design project, part storage overhaul. Easy to access. Tough enough to take a beating. And secure enough to keep the gear under wraps until game time.
That's what we call a solid double play: design and function, turning two in one clean motion.
The new setup included a Spacesaver ActivRAC 7M mechanical-assist mobile shelving system to boost capacity without eating up more floor space. The existing racking was integrated into the mobile system, and Rollok doors were added to lock up smaller items like shoes, keeping everything neat, accessible, and secure.
"Tom came in, listened to my wants and needs for the space, and as a result, he delivered everything we wanted," said Hagerty. "It may sound simple, but I'm amazed at how much space we have."
He wasn't the only one impressed. Other teams touring the facility started taking notes. "When you redo a space, it can change your whole attitude," Hagerty added. "When you have an organized space, and a system that takes your team from spring training to the final road trip, your mind is just more settled."
Ask First, Store Better Later
The best baseball equipment storage setups don't exactly start with product specs. They start with a conversation.
Tom Kelly's approach with both the Orioles and Pirates wasn't about finding a place to stash gear. It was about asking the right questions:
- Who's using the room?
- What's being stored?
- How secure does it need to be?
- How fast does it need to be accessed?
"I try to dial in on what's important to them," said Kelly. "Sometimes the space dictates the product. Sometimes it's who's accessing it. What are the security requirements? How big does the system need to be? Exactly what are you storing? All these things determine what kind of solution I deliver."
In some cases, that meant factoring in aesthetics and walk-in player access. In others, it was all about maximizing capacity and protecting inventory. But in both projects, the outcome was the same: a storage solution that fit the people, the gear, and the game-day grind.
From mechanical-assist mobile shelving to locking cabinets and custom bin systems, when the gear room runs smoother, the whole operation follows suit.
Built for the Long Season
Baseball equipment storage might not show up in the box score, but every equipment manager knows what a good setup is worth. Less scrambling. Fewer questions. No piles of gear in the wrong place at the wrong time.
From spring training to game 162, the storage has to hold up. Not just to everyday use, but to players, traffic, turnover, and all the unpredictability of a long season. At Patterson Pope, we don't just install shelving. We help build spaces that support the people running them. Because when the gear room's in order, everything else gets easier.
Want to see how it all came together? Check out the full case study here. Ready to upgrade your own clubhouse? A Patterson Pope rep is just a call away.