Karina Bland
The Arizona Republic
Sep. 11 2007 2:22 pm
City parks and recreation departments typically offer the best variety of affordable lessons and training when it comes to sports for kids. But if you missed the registration date or your child wants to play off-season, there are other options, including:
Arizona World of Baseball
1730 E. Elliot Road, Tempe
Details: (480) 775-9800, www.azwob.com
Budding baseball players can get time in the batting cages along with some instruction on how to improve their stance and swings. Balls come at batters at varying speeds, from t-ball gentle to Major League fast. Little pitchers can get coaching, too. While you wait, Mom and Dad, there's a lounge for parents with a TV and soft couches. Bring your own equipment or use theirs.
La Camarilla Racquet, Fitness & Swim Club
5320 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale
Details: (480) 998-3388, lacamarilla.com
Kids can get in shape or learn to swim or play tennis, just like Mom and Dad. Swimming instruction is offered year round and tennis lessons for the tots starts as young as age 3. Youngsters age 12 and older can learn how to properly lift weights to build stronger bones and muscles through the youth weight room certification program. The club also offers sports camps for kids.
Alltel Ice Den
9375 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale
Details: (480) 585-RINK, www.coyotesice.com
Kids can learn how to skate and play hockey at the official training center of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes, recently named a Top 10 rink in the country by USA Today. With two NHL-size ice rinks, the facility features public skating, birthday parties - the birthday boy or girl gets to ride on the Zamboni - learn-to-skate classes and youth hockey. No need for Mom and Dad to freeze: curl up next to one of the huge glass windows with a hot latte from Chilly Bean Café and watch and wave from where it's warm.
Arizona Tennis Association
Lessons available at 15 locations in Cave Creek, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe.
Details: (480) 970-0556, www.arizonatennis.org
ATA is a non-profit community organization that has served up lessons to more than 90,000 child and adult tennis enthusiasts since it was founded in 1988, growing students from beginners into state high-school champions. Sessions run for eight weeks from September through July, with a different stroke introduced each week and reviewed in the following classes. Lessons start for kids as young as age 5.
Brunswick Zone XL1160 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert
Details: (480) 813-2695, www.bowlbrunswick.com/gilbert
This bowling alley is on steroids, with 44 lanes, billiards tables and large screen TVs. The video game arcade also features skill games like Skee-Ball, Wheel of Fortune and Pop-a-Shot. Earn tickets for prizes. Food is standard bowling-alley fare: pizza, breadsticks, hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, nachos and more. Other Brunswick locations exist in the Valley, but this one is the ultimate.
Sunset Bowl
8925 N.12th St., Phoenix
Details: (602) 944-4401, www.bowlinginphoenix.com
At Sunset Bowl, families will find 32 lanes, a video-game arcade, pool tables and not-your-traditional bowling alley décor of original murals throughout the building. Automated scoring means Mom or Dad don't have to keep track of everyone's scores. With bumpers, even the most inexperienced young bowler can knock down pins. The food at the A Taste of Soul café includes burgers and sandwiches but also sides of green beans, jambalaya, and red beans and rice.
Arizona Premier Basketball Academy
1090 N. Fiesta Blvd., Suite 101, Gilbert
Details: (480) 633-6097, www.arizonabasketballacademy.com
Boys and girls can learn to play basketball, take classes or get individual training to improve their game year round. The emphasis here is on the fundamentals of the game, including proper footwork, shooting mechanics, triple threat position, and passing angles, as well as instilling a love of the game in players of all ages and abilities.
Hubbard Family Swim School
13832 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, (602) 971-4044; 8402 W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria, (602) 971-4044
Details: www.hubbardswim.com
Children can learn how to swim and be safe in the water year round in two indoor pools heated to 90 degrees. Instruction starts for children as young as 6 months by an experienced staff of certified swim instructors. The focus is on fundamentals in the small classes. There's an area where families can get dressed together, a snack bar and swim shop. Just for the fun of it, there's a fat green frog slide.
Junior Golf at Palm Valley Golf Club
2211 N. Litchfield Road, Goodyear
Details: (623)-935-2500, www.palmvalleygolf.com/palmvalley-jr-golf
Lessons are designed to introduce children as young as 4 to golf, as well as inspire and nurture their love for the game through instruction, fun events and friendly competition. Get lessons year-round. Also, you'll find monthly parent/junior golf tournaments to encourage families and neighbors to play together.
Arizona East Valley Juniors Volleyball Club
4802 E. Ray Road, Phoenix. Practices are held at three middle schools, two in Phoenix and one in Chandler.
(480) 821-6615, azeastvalleyjrs.com
One of the strongest girls' volleyball clubs in Arizona, Arizona East Valley Juniors is gearing up for its 19th season of play. More than 270 girls from 50 schools in Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe play for the club, whether she is a potential scholarship athlete or a hopeful for her school team. Girls can start as young as 9.
