Starland batting cages, Hanover

Do you dream of hitting like Manny Ramirez or David Ortiz? Need to work off your workday tension? Then step up to the plate and take a few hacks at Starland Sports and Fun Park in Hanover. Get off Route 3 at Route 53 and go south about 2 miles to Starland. Park anywhere.

Cost: $7 for 48 swings, a hot dog and a small soda.

Time: 40 minutes

From left: Patrick Donovan, 11, Kingston, Chris D'Amarino, Weymouth, Tommy Donovan, 12, Kingston. Gary Higgins photo/The Patriot Ledger

CHECK IT OUT

The batting cages are at the far right side of the amusement park. Before you step up to the plate, go to the arcade/snack bar to buy tokens for the baseball and softball machines.

For $1, you get 12 pitches. Speeds range from slow (think of a gentle game of toss) to medium (swing early) to fast (like a frozen rope). Fear not. The pitches from these machines don’t ever reach Jonathan Papelbon velocity.

BE PREPARED

Our advice is to bring your own bat and batting gloves, if you have them. Otherwise, you might have to wait a short while for a “good bat” as vacationing Little Leaguers and high school athletes practice their hitting skills.

Also, bring a towel or handkerchief to pat down your brow before heading back to work.

QUICK BITES

When you buy your $1 tokens for the batting cage, you may also want to get a hot dog and a drink. If you prefer, grab your lunch at one of the many restaurants along Route 53. You can eat while you wait on deck.

RELAX

If baseball isn’t your thing, you can borrow a golf club and hit a bucket of golf balls. There’s no golf-course view at Starland’s driving range, but a few swings might take your mind off that awful morning meeting or that presentation you’re dreading.