The Batter's Box, Englewood

Lee Martin began his baseball career playing junior-college ball at Long Beach City College before moving on to become an All Big West pitcher at Long Beach State University. Though an injury mere weeks before the College World Series ended his playing career, it couldn’t subdue his passion the sport. Today, Coach Martin shares his experiences as the varsity pitching coach at Columbine High School and by giving players a venue to hone their skills at The Batter's Box. Inside the spacious facility, Coach Martin and his expert staff help students perfect baseball technique during four-week speed-and-conditioning camps as well as one-on-one video analysis to review pitches and swings. Visitors sling pitches from three indoor mounds and strengthen their hitting skills in 55-foot retractable cages, whose Iron Mike or Jugs pitching machines launch balls endlessly or until the machines get called up to AAA teams. While players master the art of fielding, parents can read while waiting in a lounge equipped with free WiFi and Nintendo 64 for younger siblings.