National Sports Center | Blaine, Minnesota

How do I register? 

• Registration for all Intro Programs is through our NSC Event HQ website.

When are the dates? 

• There are 5 sessions throughout the year. Please click here for the yearly schedule. 

When will I receive session updates? 

• Participants will receive an email one week prior to the first day of the program with all the information needed. If you have any questions prior to then, please feel free to reach out to the program director. 

Do I need to bring equipment? 

• A baseball glove is recommended. Other equipment gear is NOT required. 

Are there pre-requisites for each level? 

• The levels are designed based on age more than experience. 
• For any questions regarding which level to register for, please feel free to reach out the to program director. 

Will I be notified for weather cancellations? 

• Indoor Sports/Practices: Indoor Practices will not be cancelled due to inclement weather. 
• Outdoor Practices: Participants will be notified 2-3 prior to the start of practice if inclement weather cancels practice for that day. 

Click Here to Register

Click Here for the NSC Field Map

Spring 2023 (Registration Closed)

• Thursdays, Mar. 16 - May 4, 2023
• Intro I & II:  5:00 - 6:00PM - Sports Hall - Field B 

Summer I 2023 (Registration OPEN)

• Thursdays, May 11 - Jun 29, 2023 
• Intro I & II:  5:00 - 6:00PM - Airport Park Field #3

Summer II 2023 (Registration OPEN)

• Thursdays, July 27 - September 14, 2023 
• Intro I & II:  5:00 - 6:00PM - Outdoor Field (TBD)

Fall 2023 (Registration OPEN)

• Thursdays, September 21 - November 16, 2023 
  • No class 10.26.23
• Intro I & II:  5:00 - 6:00PM - Sports Hall - Field B 

The Lovdahl Pitching Academy and staff on the Minnesota Twins Youth Training Academy will be instructing.

Lead instructor: Matt Held

Matt, an Iowa native, had the opportunity to play in a great high school baseball system where him and his team made it to two 4A State tournament appearances. Matt then took his knowledge and acquired skills to the collegiate level. An injury stopped his career short, but not his passion for the game. Now, Matt has been the lead youth instructor with the Minnesota Twins Training Academy since 2014.

" The opportunity to help the younger generations by teaching them skills I learned throughout my career, that are applicable to youth baseball has been an amazing one, and I plan to do so for years to come." - Matt Held

• Each participant will receive a t-shirt
• Low participant to instructor ratio
• Players should bring their own glove
• Bats, baseballs, and helmets will be provided

Intro to Baseball I

• Participants ages 4 to 6 years old. 
• Introduces players to the game of baseball
• Focus' on the introduction to baseball with the following fundamental skills
  •  throwing, hitting and fielding 

Intro to Baseball II

• Participants ages of 7-9 years old. 
• Focus's on continuing skills in the following areas:
  • throwing, hitting and fielding
• Working with participants with individual skill development in order to propel to the next level.  

We are excited to present you with a new registration experience - NSC Event HQ. This system will streamline your enrollment process and give you more access to your customer account. Use this system to register for Intro to Baseball I.

If this is your first time using the system, you will need to create a NSC Event HQ Household Account.  The account owner must be 18 years of age or older.  

After you have created your account, verify your email and set up your password. You can then add your spouse and/or children as “participants”.  Click here to get started.

If you already have an account then login here.

Contact the program registrar with any questions or for further assistance.

• $100 per participant per session

Program Fee includes: t-shirt, 8 practice lessons on indoor turf space, equipment provided for use, a fun and inviting atmosphere to learn the sport of baseball. (8 Practice Sessions starting in 2022)

*Financial scholarships available: please contact the program director for more information and to request the financial scholarship application form.

Refund Policy

• Refunds are not issued for cancelled registrations. Cancelled registrations can be transferred to a future session.

Program Cancellation Policy: The following policy will be enacted IF a program hosted by the National Sports Center MUST be canceled by the directives of the State of Minnesota or the Minnesota Department of Health. Please know that our top priority on making decisions moving forward will be the safety and health of our participants, coaches, employees and spectators.

Participants will receive a refund for your program entry. Participant registration refunds will be processed at 100% of the registration total. 

*Please note that if a participant elects to drop prior to the program, the above voucher policy will be in effect. This includes participants making their own decision to withdraw prior to the potential cancellation.

If a customer (club, *team, individual) is required to quarantine due to illness or exposure to the COVID-19 virus, and are unable to participate for this reason, a refund will be not be issued unless done within the parameters of the existing policy. The event director will reschedule, if possible. Reschedules are not guaranteed to be on the same day or time as originally scheduled.

*Roster adjustments maybe allowed per event directors discretion.

Surcharge Fee

• The National Sports Center has instituted a 2% surcharge on all submitted card payments to help cover a portion of the processing fees assessed to the NSC by the card processing companies. Customers can avoid the fee by paying with an e-check with an online registration. 

The NSC Fund For Play is the contribution and donation arm of the National Sports Center Foundation. We are dedicated to improving the lives of Minnesota residents by creating programs and initiatives that support a diverse and engaged community. If you would like to make a donation to improve the health, well-being, and outlook of participants through access to sports and healthy, safe environments, please click HERE.

Thank you for considering!

All customers are asked to review the National Sports Center's COVID-19 Preparedness Plan prior to participating in Intro to Baseball. Please click here. The indoor facilities specific plan is linked to the top of the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan page.