Where To Go To Step Up To The Bat

-- Fat Bat Batting Range and Fun Center, 1008 N. Central, in Kent, is the place to go if you want to play hardball, or softball, for that matter. It offers a whopping nine batting cages - five for baseball fans (45 to 75 mph pitches) and four for slow-pitch softballs. Fifty cents buys you 14 machine-propelled pitches; metal bats are provided, but if you want to hit with wood, bring your own bat. Also on hand: a trampoline-like game called Spaceball, mini-golf course, video parlor and snack stand. Open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. To rent cages ($20 to $25 an hour for 600 or 700 pitches) call 854-6783.

-- Kent East Hill Batting Cage and Family Fun Center, 23609 104th SE, in Kent, offers three batting cages, two fast-pitch hardball (45 to 70 mph) and one slow-pitch softball. Both wood and metal bats supplied: 50 cents buys 15 pitches. There's even a dirt batters' box where you can dig in your cleats. Other activities: miniature golf, 20 video games, pop-a-shot (a basketball derivative) or sharing a cone at MG's Ice Cream Parlor. Open Tuesday through Friday, 1 to 9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tentatively closed Mondays, but this could change over the summer (call 859-6499 for more info). Call, too, for cage rentals ($20 per hour, $15 per half hour).

-- Power Alley Batting Cages, 31623 Pacific Highway S., Federal Way, helps tune up your swing in three slow-pitch softball and five fast-pitch (40 to 70 mph) hardball cages, metal bats provided. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and 2 to 8 p.m. weekdays (16 pitches for 50 cents). If reserved the day before - call 941-6719 - cages are available by the hour ($15) and half-hour ($8). For nonhitters: video games and a retail shop for every baseball desires, including batting gloves, pennants, baseball cards, caps and more.

-- Funplex, 1541 15th Ave. W. - Seattle's largest indoor amusement park - also offers two batting cages, one for softball (delivering both fast and slow pitches) and one for hardball (also with adjustable speeds). The price: $1 for 15 pitches, $5 for 90 pitches, $15 for 30 minutes in the cage and $25 for an hour. Teen discount books offer three hours of hitting for $69.95, five hours for $99.95 and 10 hours for $159.95. Other attractions: a walk-through people maze, eight-lane slot race car track, 19-hole miniature golf course, lazer-tag arena, pool tables, ping pong, air hockey, video and sports games, kiddie area for small children, snack bar and lots more. Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday (during summer, hours may be extended to 1 a.m. daily). For further information, call 285-7842.