Batting cages in Minneapolis: Swinging practice

Spring in Minnesota this year is being its usual schizophrenic self with sun one day and snow the next. Luckily for us natives, someone invented the idea of indoor batting cages so we don't have to depend on fickle Mother Nature to get in our swinging practice.

My family and I live in the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, home to several indoor batting cages. We have trudged to many of them in the name of jockdom and agree that three stand out above the rest.

Here they are:

Extra Innings
9230 Xylon Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445

Hours:
Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
http://www.extrainnings-brooklynpark.com/

The sheer size of Extra Innings (20,500 feet) is impressive in itself. Once inside, you will discover the 24-foot high ceilings, six indoor tunnels, three pitching tunnels and the coin-operated batting cages. You can keep yourself busy in any of those areas, or perhaps you are interested in individual instruction. If so, inquire about the Player Packs offered by Extra Innings. Prices range from $295 to $495 and offer private lessons, unlimited use of the training room and more.

Grand Slam
2941 Coon Rapids Blvd.
Coon Rapids, MN 55433

Hours:
Sunday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight
http://grandslamcoonrapids.com/

In addition to batting cages, Grand Slam also has mini-golf, lazer tag, pitching tunnels, inflatables, go-karts and an arcade. The Dugout section spans 7,000 feet and can rented in its entirety for one hour up to 40 hours in prices starting at $100 per hour. If you are looking to practice your swing on a smaller scale, you can rent tunnel space in intervals of 15 minutes. Private lessons are also available.

Triple Crown Batting Cages
2308 E. 10th Avenue
North St. Paul, MN 55109

Hours: (through May 31)
Monday to Friday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
http://www.triplecrownbatting.com/

Triple Crown is unique in the world of batting cages in that it offers open air, rather than tunnel, hitting. This allows you to see the flight of your ball more readily. If cages are desired, they can be rented for $25 for half an hour or $50 for one hour. Individual instruction is also available if desired.

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