Software firm that serves MLB, NBA plans move to Suffolk

A computer software company that helps professional baseball and basketball teams scout and draft players, manage rosters and track contracts wants to move to Suffolk County from Nassau County, executives said.

LBi Software Inc. hopes to purchase 999 Walt Whitman Rd. in Melville as part of a $6.3 million expansion project. The company has been renting space in Woodbury.

The move will more than double LBi’s office space over time and add 10 people to its payroll of 50 in the next two years. Records show employees earn, on average, $81,000 per year, excluding medical insurance and retirement benefits.

To support the project the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency last month awarded LBi $319,360 in tax breaks, including at least $217,460 in property tax savings over 10 years, a 27.5 percent reduction.

LBi president Richard Teed said its software for sports teams has led to a spate of hiring: 15 people in the past four years. “We are full to the brim right now,” he said, referring to the company’s crammed office at 7600 Jericho Tpke. in Woodbury.

LBi developed the electronic Baseball Information System, known as eBIS, used by Major League Baseball and its teams to manage scouting reports, game statistics and player contract details. The company’s software is instrumental to the annual players’ draft. It also has developed systems for five individual teams.

LBi also has created software for the National Basketball Association.

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Teed said he and partner Gary Reuter started the company after graduating from Hofstra University in 1986. A third founder has since left the business.

LBi initially began developing software for human resources departments. It’s best known for HR HelpDesk, an online portal that answers employee questions and helps HR professionals solve problems.

LBi said its customers include defense contractor General Dynamics, New York Community Bank and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Teed said LBi’s biggest challenge is finding talented workers. He said the company’s workforce includes 10 graduates of Stony Brook University.

Reuter said he hopes the new building “will help to retain employees, because we will be able to build the space the way we want.”

The executives told the IDA that they have looked at other states, including South Carolina, Vermont and Massachusetts. However, in their aid application, they said, “given our history here and our willingness to be an active part of the region’s tech community, we want to stay.”