Sports entertainment veteran homers with interactive gaming sports bar, baseball outing indoors

Serial entrepreneur Lance Windholz — who spiked a career in tech to build community around beach volleyball in Shawnee — is batting again; this time, taking a swing at sports entertainment and the resurgent popularity of baseball.

Sandlot Social at 12120 W 95th St, Lenexa; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

His newest concept, Sandlot Social, officially opened in June in Lenexa, blending a full-service sports bar with interactive baseball simulators and what Windholz believes is a one-of-a-kind viewing experience for local sports fans.

“We bring an experience that nobody else does,” he said, standing alongside 10 baseball simulator suites designed to appeal to everyone from serious athletes to first-time players. “Having the ability to watch the games in this environment is literally exclusive to what we provide right now in the market.”

Sandlot Social combines sports entertainment, food, drink, and interactive gaming under one roof. The baseball experience uses HitTrax technology, which pitches real balls to players while tracking ball speed, launch angle, and distance. Guests can take batting practice, compete in team games, or simply enjoy a casual outing with friends and family.

“Golf is very saturated right now,” said Windholz, acknowledging comparison to indoor golf bays and training sites. “It feels like there are a lot of cool golf opportunities, but now you’ve got something in baseball.”

Baseball simulator bays inside Sandlot Social in Lenexa; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Beyond the game

Sandlot Social’s larger vision centers on creating the same sense of connection that helped fuel the success of Windholz’s volleyball business.

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A family uses HitTrax technology inside Sandlot Social in Lenexa; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

One feature he’s especially excited about: planned simulator leagues, where teams can return weekly, compete against familiar opponents, and build relationships along the way.

“We want to develop those adult leagues like we offer at Shawnee and really build that community where you come out with three of your friends, you play against another team of four, one day every week,” he said.

“You start running into the same people, you start making friends, start building that community, and that’s how we did that at Shawnee,” Windholz continued. “That’s what I want to bring here.”

The simulator experience is intentionally designed to be accessible. Players can adjust difficulty levels, use performance boosts, and choose from multiple game formats, making it approachable for both competitive athletes and casual visitors.

“The same tracking tech that they use for really high-level training, but we’ve got it a little more gamified, just like Topgolf,” Windholz explained.

Lance Windholz demonstrates a pitch training game at Sandlot Social; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

A different kind of sports bar

While the baseball simulators provide the entertainment, Windholz sees Sandlot Social first and foremost as a sports destination.

The venue’s massive LED display serves as the focal point of the space, creating an atmosphere inspired by high-end Las Vegas sportsbooks. The screen is designed to showcase multiple games simultaneously, making it an attraction even for visitors who never pick up a bat.

“I’m glad I have the ability to bring another great sports entertainment concept to Kansas City, build and grow that community, and bring this incredible Vegas-style sportsbook screen,” said Windholz. “It’s something that I had seen going to Vegas before and loved, and we didn’t have it here, so I figured, ‘All right, let’s build it ourselves.’”

Beyond sports viewing and baseball simulators, Windholz envisions the venue hosting everything from video game tournaments to special events and community gatherings.

“We want to create a fun culture, games, activities, events,” he said. “I really want a cool environment where we can do lots of stuff, have fun, and provide entertainment to everyone.”

Sandlot Social at 12120 W 95th St, Lenexa; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Finding the right home in Lenexa

Choosing Lenexa came down to a combination of practicality and opportunity. The concept required a building large enough to accommodate the simulator bays, a full kitchen, and ceilings high enough to support the oversized screen.

Lance Windholz showcases variations in bats and batting styles at Sandlot Social; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

“We looked all over the place. We had to find a building that was tall enough that we could put a big screen in,” Windholz said.

The venue opened with a series of soft openings before welcoming the public. Windholz said the response exceeded expectations, with hundreds attending preview events and many visitors reacting with amazement when they first entered the space.

“Most people, when they walk in, they’re kind of in awe of this,” he said. “You walk in and you’re like, ‘Holy smokes!’”

As Sandlot Social begins its first full season, Windholz wants visitors to leave with more than just a memorable night out.

“It’s about building a community, building a great experience,” he said. “We want you to leave saying, ‘Wow, that was awesome. I can’t wait to go back.’”