Spectators also have lots to lay their eyes on. Spring training baseball is a big draw, with the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates playing home games in Sarasota and Bradenton, respectively. Or you can sit back and watch some four-legged athletes at the Sarasota Polo Club and the Sarasota Kennel Club.

For more pro games, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Buccaneers and Lightning are just an hour’s drive north.

BASEBALL
Cincinnati Reds, Ed Smith Stadium, 12th Street and Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota. 954-4464. The Major League team plays its spring training games in Sarasota.

Pittsburgh Pirates, McKechnie Field, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. 748-4610. Bradenton hosts the Major League’s Pirates during spring training games in March.

Cincinnati Reds/Florida State League Affiliate, 954-4464. Class A minor-league ball at Ed Smith Stadium spring through fall.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. (727) 825-3137. Major League baseball April through September in St. Pete’s domed stadium.

BOATING, FISHING
A sampling of the area’s many options. Check your Yellow Pages for more.

Adventure Charters, 923-2605. Sport fishing, half and full day.

Cannons Marina, 6040 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. 383-1311. Boat rentals, sales.

Captain Action Charter Service, 955-4524. Gulf and bay fishing.

Capt. Bob Smith Sport Fishing Guide, 366-2159. Half-day and full-day fishing trips.

CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, 1249 Stickney Point Road, Siesta Key. 349-4400. Bay, backcountry and coastal Gulf fishing.

Dockside Marine, 1265 Old Stickney Point Road, Sarasota. 349-8880. Boat rentals.

Flying Fish Fleet, Marina Jack, Sarasota. 366-3373. From four-hour to 18-hour trips.

Hart's Landing, 920 John Ringling Causeway, Sarasota. 955-0011. Bait, tackle, fishing equipment rentals.

Le Barge Tropical Cruises, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota. 366-6116. Daily sightseeing tours, sunset cruises; private charters available.

Midnite Son Charter Fishing, 349-7677. Sport fishing: half-day, full-day, overnight.

Snook Haven Fish Camp, 5000 Venice Ave. E., Venice. 485-7221. Motorboats, canoes and tour-boat rides on the Myakka River.

Spindrift Yacht Services, 410 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. 383-7781. Sailboat, fishing and pleasure cruise charters.

CANOE AND KAYAK RENTALS
Economy Tackle/Dolphin Dive & Kayak, 6018 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 922-9671. Canoe and kayak supplies, lessons and guided tours.

Island Style Wind and Watersports, 2433 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 954-1009. Kayak tours, wind- and kitesurfing lessons.

Silent Sports Outfitters, 2301 Tamiami Trail N., Nokomis. 966-5477. Ocean kayak specialists. Tours, sales and rentals.

Walk on the Wild Side. 351-6500. Eco-tours.

DIVING, SNORKELING
Dolphin Dive Center, 6018 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 924-2785. Sales and rentals.

Florida West Scuba School, 509-B N. Tamiami Trail, Venice. 486-1400. Lessons, rentals, charter dives, trips.

Ocean Pro Dive Shop, 2259 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota. 924-3483. Dive charters, instruction, dive trips. PADI five-star training facility.

Scuba Quest, 1129 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 366-1530; 2357 Tamiami Trail S., Venice. 497-5985; 3318 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. 745-2511. Charters, rentals, sales.

West Coast Divers, 7826 49th Ave. E., Bradenton. 730-0889. Instruction.

SURFING
West Coast Surf Shop, 3902 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. 778-1001. Boards, sportswear and more.

Windflight Surf Shop, 722 Albee Road W., Nokomis. 484-2794. Surfboards, wet suits, accessories.

FOOTBALL
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (813) 879-2827. The NFL’s Bucs play at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.

Tampa Bay Storm, (813) 301-6600. Five-time Arena Football League champions play at the St. Pete Times Forum.

GOLF
Call for tee time availability.

Bird Bay Executive Golf Club, 602 Bird Bay Drive W., Venice. 485-9333. Eighteen-hole course, tennis courts. Public.

Bent Tree Country Club, 4700 Bent Tree Blvd., Sarasota. 371-5854. Eighteen-hole championship course. Private.

Bobby Jones Golf Club, 1000 Circus Blvd., Sarasota. 955-8041. Forty-five-hole complex. Public.

Boca Royale Golf and Country Club, 1601 Englewood Road, Englewood. 475-6464. Eighteen-hole course (nine additional holes under construction), tennis courts. Private.

Calusa Lakes Golf Club, 1995 Calusa Lakes Blvd., Nokomis. 484-8995. Eighteen holes. Public.

The Concession Golf Club, 18804 Ganton Ave., Bradenton. 322-1922. Exclusive course, opened in 2006. Designed by Jack Nicklaus to commemorate the 1969 Ryder Cup. Private.

Edwin Watts Golf Shop, 4014 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 922-1006; 6230 Lake Osprey Drive, Sarasota. 907-1060. Golf equipment and accessories.

IMG Academies at El Conquistador, 4530 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton. 758-1466. Eighteen holes, recently renovated by Gene Bates Golf Design of Palm Beach. Private.

The Founders Club, 3800 Golf Hall Drive, Sarasota. 378-0900. Exclusive course opened January 2005. Private.

Foxfire Golf Club, 7200 Proctor Road, Sarasota. 921-7757. Twenty-seven-hole course, driving range. Public.

Gator Creek Golf Course, 9000 Gator Creek Drive, Sarasota. 924-1111. Eighteen-hole course. Private.

Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club, 4800 Chase Oaks Drive, Sarasota. 926-7600. Eighteen-hole course. Semi-private.

IMG Academies Golf and Country Club, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton. 758-1466. Technically advanced 18 holes. Private.