ST. PAUL, MN(October 29, 2009) – Since 1993, the Saints have established themselves as the most affordable place in the Twin Cities for family fun.  On the field, more than 90 St. Paul players have had their contracts purchased by Major League Organizations thanks to the tireless tutelage of Saints managers and coaches.  Innovative promotions and outstanding customer service have allowed the Saints to consistently set league attendance records and garner recognition from their peers.  It is with these credentials that the Saints embark on a new endeavor, today announcing the opening of the Saints Sports Academy in Lakeville, MN.

 

            Beginning Friday, the Saints will begin multi-sport training for athletes of all ages in the state-of-the-art facility.  The Saints 32,000-square-foot footprint within the building includes a 15,000 sq. ft. field house with retractable field turf.  The facility will provide aspiring future athletes, youth ballplayers and skilled high school athletes the facilities and equipment necessary to train for the next phase of their athletic lives.

 

The Saints Sports Academy will be utilized for individual lessons, group sessions, themed parties and league play.  While Saints Sports Academy memberships (that allow scheduled access to the batting cages and fieldhouse based on a monthly schedule), one-on-one hitting and pitching lessons and baseball training will be a primary focus, it will not be the sole entity.  The Academy is expected to be a center for family and community activities, utilizing the fieldhouse as a giant play space for area children and their parents, birthday parties and more.

 

            “This is a terrific opportunity for our ballclub,” said Derek Sharrer, Saints EVP and General Manager.  “The Academy will provide us with the opportunity to expand our involvement in area youth sports development and to become an active, year-round member in the South Metro community.”

 

On the main level of the building four batting cages are open to Academy members, teams, associations, and the general public.  The batting cage space is flexible and can be converted into use for wrestling, gymnastics, and group fitness activities.  Adjacent to the batting cages are stations designated for one-on-one baseball instruction and drills, a dark room for video swing analysis and two clay pitching mounds built to Major League specifications.  The Academy also includes a workout facility with plyometrics, weight, and cardiovascular training equipment.

 

The fieldhouse space, on the ground level of the Academy, is large enough for a baseball diamond, one or two indoor soccer fields (depending on players’ ages) or half of a football field.  When the field turf is removed with state-of-the-art equipment, the hard-court underneath is lined for either two full-sized basketball courts, three volleyball courts or two tennis courts.  The fieldhouse will be utilized for member use, organized team training, clinics, league play and events.  It can be rented by the hour or in bulk for multiple sessions by teams, leagues or associations.  The ability to convert the fieldhouse from a football or soccer field to a basketball or volleyball court in a matter of minutes will attract athletes of all ages with a focus in multiple sports.

 

The Academy’s training staff will consist of Saints Manager and former Major League pitcher George Tsamis, Saints hitting coach, former Saints star, and former Colorado Rockies prospect, Lamarr Rogers, as well as current and former Saints players and coaches.  Additional sports training will be coordinated by coaches specializing in their sport of expertise.

 

The Academy, one of the largest in the state, is located at 9913 214^th St. in West Lakeville.  For more information on the Saints Sports Academy, contact the Academy at 952-985-5949 or the Saints main office at 651-644-6659.