Improve your (G)swing
Lorne Levy (left) and Todd Rafter (right) opened the first Gradum Gswing franchise in Colorado.
Baseball and softball players in Colorado now have a new home to improve their swings. Longtime HOA2 resident Todd Rafter and his business partner Lorne Levy opened the state’s first Gradum Gswing franchise last fall. The facility is already gaining popularity as a training spot for players of all ages.
Located in Centennial, Gradum Gswing is an indoor hitting instruction facility that specializes in personalized one-on-one instruction for players looking to enhance their batting skills.
“Once kids started to hit the field and other folks saw the changes and improvements they had made working with us, the referrals have been high,” said Todd.
The concept behind Gradum Gswing comes from Lorenzo Garmendia, a South Florida hitting coach who studied professional baseball players’ swings. He used that research to develop what he calls “The G Swing,” named after his last name. After first teaching it to his own sons, Lorenzo began training minor league baseball players and competitive softball athletes, and demand quickly grew beyond his garage. The success led to the launch of his first training center and, eventually, a national franchise model.
“It was a no-brainer for me after being introduced to Gradum to ask Lorne to partner,” Todd recalled. Todd and Lorne have been friends for nearly 20 years. They coached their sons together from T-ball through middle school. Todd’s sons, Sam (22) and Charlie (20), both graduated from Rock Canyon High School after going through its baseball program. Lorne’s son, Lou (21), graduated from Mountain Vista High School and also played baseball.
Today, the Centennial facility includes two batting cages and employs two instructors who use video analysis, exit velocity tracking, and spin rate data to fine-tune hitters’ mechanics.
“We are a boutique baseball hitting instruction facility,” said Lorne. “We don’t teach pitching, catching or fielding—we’re just hitting.” That focus is resonating with players and parents alike. In under a year, Gradum Gswing has already enrolled 128 athletes. With 30 Gradum Gswing locations nationwide, the Centennial location is currently the only one in Colorado, making it a unique destination for local players looking to take their batting game to the next level.
To learn more or to book a free swing evaluation, visit gradumgswing.com/locations/centennial, call 720-343-0000, or follow @gradumgswing on social media.
Elizabeth Tovar stands in the batter’s box at Gradum Gswing in Centennial. Elizabeth is a freshman at Lutheran High School.
