Spectator Sports

Baseball

From April to October, you can see the American League's Baltimore Orioles play ball. If there's a home game during your visit, try to attend -- it's a real Baltimore experience. The team plays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 333 W. Camden St. (tel. 888/848-BIRD or 410/685-9800; www.oriolepark.com). Afternoon games are usually at 1:35pm; evening games start at 7:35pm. Ticket prices range from $9 to $55, with bargain night on Tuesday and college-student discounts on Friday, both for the upper deck. Tickets for Yankees or Red Sox games cost more. Tours of the stadium (tel. 410/547-6234) are available every day.

Football

The Baltimore Ravens play at M&T Bank Stadium, next to Camden Yards at 1101 Russell St. (tel. 410/261-RAVE; www.baltimoreravens.com). About 5,000 tickets are sold per game (the rest are held by season-ticket holders) and cost $50 to $345.

Horse Racing

Maryland's oldest thoroughbred track and the site of the annual Preakness Stakes is Pimlico Race Course, 5241 Park Heights (tel. 410/542-9400; www.pimlico.com), on the city's northwest side. (Seabiscuit made history at this track, beating Triple Crown winner War Admiral.) The Preakness (www.preakness.com), the middle jewel in racing's Triple Crown, is held the third Saturday in May. Clubhouse and grandstand tickets go on sale in October -- and go fast. Infield tickets, at $45, are for sale at the box office; as the running of the Preakness nears, you can also find them at gas stations. Post time for regular racing days is 1:10pm; admission is $3 for the grandstand. Self-parking is free; valet parking is $3. Call ahead for opening days.

Indoor Soccer

The Baltimore Blast (tel. 410/732-5278; www.baltimoreblast.com) have had a loyal following for more than 20 years. A number of players are local boys. The season lasts October through April; games are played at the 1st Mariner Arena. Tickets cost $19 to $30.