Desperate for spring

How some metro-area high school baseball and softball teams have coped with the cold, snowy spring:

Pre-dawn baseball: St. Thomas Academy baseball took advantage of the Metrodome's half-priced hours. The Cadets played River Falls (Wis.) at 4 a.m. in downtown Minneapolis. Coach Paul Weinberg said the experience was worth it, but he and his players needed a couple days to recover from a 2:30 a.m. wake-up call.

A dome of their own: Maple Grove softball is thankful for the new dome on its campus. The district-owned facility is big enough to host several softball games at once and has provided the Crimson, Osseo and Park Center a place to stretch out.

Road trip: Minnehaha Academy's baseball team traveled during spring break to Florida, a popular destination for Minnesota spring sports programs.

Jason Gonzalez