Sports and Recreation

While the area's natural attributes are conducive to active participation, there's plenty of spectator action for those who like a good game. Tampa Bay's championship football, arena football and hockey teams provide seasonal sports excitement, but baseball rules in March when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and fellow "boys of summer"--the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies--suit up for spring training. Family outings don't get any better than a day at the beach or the ballpark.

Tampa Bay area fans have the option to root for a home run; slap high-fives after a touchdown; count down the time during a power play; watch dogs chase a stuffed rabbit; or applaud as a favorite horse makes a photo finish. Whatever your pleasure, the following options will have you cheering.

Baseball
Professional baseball is played at several locations. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays play major league baseball April through September at Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Dr. in St. Petersburg; phone (727) 825-3137 for general information, or (727) 898-7297 for tickets. The Devil Rays remain in St. Petersburg during the off-season; spring training games take place at Al Lang Field at Progress Energy Park, 180 Second Ave. S.E.; phone (727) 825-3137 for ticket information. Both the Devil Rays major and minor league teams train at 7901 30th Ave. N.

The New York Yankees major and minor league teams call Tampa home in the spring. They play at Legends Field, N. Dale Mabry Highway and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The facility's 10,000-seat stadium is a replica of New York's Yankee Stadium. Play is March to September; for information phone (813) 875-7753.

Two other major league teams hold spring training on the Pinellas Peninsula: the Philadelphia Phillies and the Toronto Blue Jays, both of which have minor league affiliates that play ball locally. In summer the Phillies' Clearwater Threshers train at Clearwater's Bright House Networks Field, 601 N. Old Coachman Rd., and the Dunedin Blue Jays work out at Knology Park, 373 Douglas Ave. in Dunedin. Both teams play a full minor league schedule; phone (727) 442-8496 for the Threshers or (727) 733-9302 for the Blue Jays.

Football
The NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers play at Raymond James Stadium between N. Dale Mabry Highway and N. Himes Avenue; for ticket information phone (813) 879-2827. The stadium also is the setting for the Outback Bowl game, played on New Year's Day. The Tampa Bay Storm play arena football from February to May at the St. Pete Times Forum, downtown Tampa at Channelside Drive and Morgan Street; phone (813) 276-7300.

Hockey
The NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning, winners of the 2004 Stanley Cup, hit the ice at the St. Pete Times Forum October through April. For information and tickets phone (813) 301-6600.

Horse Racing
Horse racing devotees can go to the only Thoroughbred track on Florida's west coast, Tampa Bay Downs, 11225 Race Track Rd. in Tampa. The track holds races mid-December to early May. For more information phone (813) 855-4401.

Greyhound Racing
The St. Petersburg Kennel Club's Derby Lane track at 10490 Gandy Blvd. features greyhound racing most evenings and weekends from early January to late June; phone (727) 812-3339. Tampa Greyhound Track, 8300 N. Nebraska Ave. at Waters Street in the Sulphur Springs section of Tampa, does the same July through December; phone (813) 932-4313.

Recreation
The American Medical Association was on to the bay area's bounty of recreational riches back in 1885, when it named St. Petersburg as an ideal location for a "world health city." Near year-round warmth, broad beaches, a varied system of waterways and some 400 public parks and playgrounds make the region a true haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Favorite activities include bicycling, fishing, golfing, hot air ballooning, jogging, walking, tennis, and water sports.