5 places for your young athlete to train

My son started playing sports when he was a toddler. He tried soccer first. That was an epic fail. He just wasn't into it! But when he started playing Tee-ball, it was like he found his happy place - on the field with dad.

He's now 10 and has played basketball, flag football, lacrosse and baseball. He is even playing some soccer at school now.

What options are there locally for your young athlete to train? Try one of these

Grand Slam USA (4500 Western Blvd #100, Raleigh) - This place is awesome! They have multiple batting cages with various pitching speeds. They also have a big basketball court. My son's at-bats have gotten much better after having visited this place.

Diamond and Aces Sports Center (1030 Morrisville Pkwy, Morrisville) - This facility has indoor baseball and softball training spaces. Plus, they have camps!

Pro 3:5 Sports Academy (3201 Northside Dr. Raleigh) -They have baseball and basketball programs, plus they offer camps. We've enjoyed some baseball parties there as well.

Pro Skills Basketball in Raleigh- While this organization also offers club level teams, you don't have to join on to take advantage of their basketball camps and clinics.

Polar Ice (Raleigh, Cary and Wake Forest) - Whether you child wants to learn to become a figure skater or a hockey player, Polar Ice has classes and open skate time for them to practice. My son did about a year of ice skating with Polar Ice and decided he didn't want to stick with it. He wanted play other sports. We have friends though whose children have gone on to play hockey or figure skate thanks to the program.

Bonus pick: Redline Athletics (Raleigh and Cary) - This facility has speed, strength and agility training sessions for those ages 5 to 18. They also offer facility rentals for their baseball and softball cages, basketball and volleyball courts.