Posted: 6/11/03

Line Drive looking to be a hit in Lino

Berk Brown
Sports Editor
Theyíve been where many young athletes want to go. Now, a trio of local men are in the business of helping others hone their athletic ability.
Matt Faulken, Tom Imdieke and Brian Raabe are serving as instructors at the new Line Drive Sports in Lino Lakes.
Faulken played baseball at Iowa State and St. Thomas before spending three years in professional baseball. Imdieke played baseball at St. Thomas and is still actively involved in adult baseball leagues.
Raabe is a former All-American at the University of Minnesota and has played in the Major Leagues in Minnesota, Seattle and Colorado. He also played professionally in Japan. He also is the head baseball coach at Forest Lake Senior High.
The trio decided to pool their talents to open Line Drive Sports and devote themselves to doing what they love ñÝinstructing youth and helping athletes reach their full potential.
But, this is not just a baseball thing. They also will have qualified instructors and equipment for softball, volleyball and basketball. And in the future, they say, they will meet demands for all other sports, including the likes of hockey, soccer and lacrosse.
Right now, they also have specialized equipment to help athletes of any sport improve their speed, quickness, leaping, explosiveness and overall strength and conditioning.
And it doesnít matter the age or skill level of the athlete, they said, because they will provide specialized training for everyone. They also welcome complete teams which may want to train together at a reduced rate.
ìWe can work with athletes anywhere from the age of seven to the professionals,î Raabe said. ìWhat we will do with them is make them the best ball player they can be, no matter if theyíre just trying to make the junior varsity in high school, get ready for college or make themselves a better pro.
ìItís our desire to help athletes of all ages make the most of their athletic abilities.î
The recently opened facility is located just off I-35W and Lake Drive in the industrial park across the street from the new Kohlís and the old-fashioned McDonalds.
Besides offering training from some of the most respected instructors in their respective sports, Line Drive Sports can also be considered a one-stop spot for any and all athletic needs.
The front of the business is set up with the latest in athletic equipment and apparel. There is also scheduled to be services ranging from sports medicine, a full-service nutritionist complete with available meals and appropriate supplements. Also scheduled to locate at Line Drive Sports in the coming weeks are a massage therapist and chiropractor.
The facility also includes classrooms for video training or the trio also envision the classrooms being used for sports psychology clinics and other kinds of clinics.
All of this, however, is just in the front of the facility.
In the back is a waiting area for any parents or friends who may want to watch whatís going on or just watch TV while they wait.
In the back is where there are batting cages, some with pitching machines individuals will be able to use without instruction, as well as pitching mounds, courts for basketball and volleyball and plenty of room for expansion to meet future needs.
And while the three said they want to make sure every level and age of athlete feels welcome, they said the most important aspect is making sure everyone feels like they can be there.
ìWe want to make this as affordable as possible for everybody,î Raabe said. ìWe enjoy working with kids and we enjoy what we do. And, we know that when people come here, they are going to get the most out of their investment ñÝboth in terms of their time and money.î
Faulken, who brings with him three years of successful instruction with Twin Cities players, said while you can still come to the facility and put tokens in a pitching machine, this also will be an opportunity for players to get that one-on-one instruction they often times canít from a coach who has 13 or 14 other players to work with as well.
ìThis isnít just a place to come hit,î Faulken said. ìWeíll find out what the needs are of the athlete and give them the instruction they need to get better or to get bigger, faster and stronger.î
Line Drive Sports is open and instruction times are already starting to fill-up, Raabe said Friday. For more information about Line Drive Sports in Lino Lakes ñÝincluding hours and directions ñÝyou can call 651-490-7898.

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