Are you left disappointed at the end of every season of softball, because you just can't wait until spring to get back out there and play? Now you don't have to wait until spring, there are plenty of indoor facilities that offer softball activities all year round.

Usually, these sports complexes offer a wide variety of activities including batting and pitching clinics, fielding instruction, teams to play on or ways to improve your skills for when you get back outside. These facilities will teach kids of all school ages, although it may be a little expensive. The cost varies by facility, so be sure to check out what an indoor complex may offer in your area. There is usually a full-sized softball field inside for games, while there may be netting set up for pitchers to practice and batting machines available for hitting practice. The facilities are also available for you to come and practice with your child, if you would prefer not to hire someone to teach them. You are also free to run the batting machines or just play catch, if that's what you prefer.

Artificial turf is what the players play on so just as a caution, if you plan on sliding - you may want to wear pants. Softball players involved in team play are usually very competitive so if your child wants some practice, this is the perfect place to play with other kids who are used to the fast-paced, fast speed of a fast pitch ball. Not only did my daughter improve fielding but she also learned to hit off girls who pitched a lot faster than she was used to. She will now be more prepared and a little less afraid of the ball, come spring.

There are some minor rules that you will have to learn before playing on an indoor team. Fielding and scoring are the same but since the game is played indoors, there is netting on all sides and on top of the field. There are boundary markers and if a ball is hit inside these markers, it is usually a dead ball and played just like a foul ball. If there are many teams playing, there might be time limits as well. You should receive a list of these minor rules before you or your child starts playing.

These huge sports complexes are hugely popular and can accommodate many different sporting events at the same time. Softball is one of the few sports that can't be played just anywhere, especially in winter. Even if you don't plan on paying for lessons of any kind or joining a team, you can always just go and check it out. You might be very impressed at what can be done inside.