Summer Preview: Sports and Recreation

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NOW THAT D.C. has a baseball team, the pro sports season doesn't end whenever the Capitals and Wizards are eliminated from the playoffs (and that's during good years). But the Nationals aren't always the most entertaining ticket in town. D.C. is filled with top-notch events, many of which feature the best athletes in their respective sports. And those who are more doers than watchers should have no problem finding an activity to get them outside and moving around in the suffocating heat.

» 10) BEFORE THEY WERE STAR(TER)S: Most D.C. sports fans are hoping they can watch the Capitals all the way up until Redskins training camp starts. But if the Caps should falter, that doesn't mean you have to put away your hockey fan gear. Take a day trip to Hershey, Pa., to see the future Caps play for the Bears, Washington's AHL affiliate. They're currently in a playoff battle of their own, and just two years ago they won the Calder Cup (the Stanley Cup of the AHL).

» 550 West Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, Pa.; $17 to $27; 717-534-3380, Hersheybears.com. I.H.

» 11) SUPREME COURT: When President Obama showed up at a Wizards game, the crowd went nuts. So, imagine the reaction if POTUS took an evening off to head down to Barry Farms in southeast D.C. for the Goodman League.

Commissioner Miles Rawls has formally invited the commander in chief to check out the league, which starts June 8 and runs through the first week in September. There will be an And 1 game and a Nike All-Star game sometime in July. With the way the Wizards and Hoyas played this season, the notoriously impressive Goodman League of pick-up basketball might be the best show in D.C. Heck, with players such as Gilbert Arenas and Kevin Durant regularly showing up, some would argue that it's always the best five-on-five ball in the city.

» Barry Farms Recreation Center, 1230 Sumner Road SE; Monday through Thursday from June 8 to July 4, and Sunday through Thursday from July 5 through the first week in September, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., free.
(Anacostia) I.H.

» 12) INTO THE WOODS: Though tournament organizers won't admit it, the AT&T National lost its luster last year due to host Tiger Woods' injury. That shouldn't be a problem this year. However, because the U.S. Open is coming to Congressional in two years, Tiger is taking his tourney to Philadelphia for 2010 and 2011. Since tickets to the Open are pricey and elusive, this may be the best chance to catch Tiger for some time.

» Congressional Country Club in Potomac, Md.; June 29 to July 5, tickets from $15, $30 for the weekend, packages available; Attnational.org. I.H.

» 13) HARD DISC: Ultimate Frisbee is the most entertaining spectator sport you're not watching. No dogs or hippies on this field. No walking, or even jogging. "This is not the Frisbee you see on the Mall. This is quite an initiation," said Bryan Steffen, president of the Washington Area Frisbee Club. The club is partnering with the Central Maryland Ultimate Association to throw the Chesapeake Open, for which a dozen of the top U.S. teams will be in Maryland at the end of August. "These are really, really athletic teams."

» Potomac Polo Club, 18410 Beallsville Road, Poolsville, Md.; Aug. 29-30, free; Chesapeakeopen.org. I.H.

» 14) THAT'S HOW WE STROLL: How much do you really know about your neighborhood? Could you point out the childhood haunts of composer John Philip Sousa, a native Washingtonian, or detail the scandals of Dupont Circle? (Did you even know there were scandals in Dupont Circle? One was a death by slingshot!) To help everyone brush up on their D.C. history, Cultural Tourism DC presents Walking Town DC, a biannual tradition since 2006. With more than 100 free guided walks, you should be able to find one in your ward, but if not, most begin and/or end near Metro stops. Some of the tours require reservations; others just leave from previously determined places and times.

» May 30-31, free; WalkingTownDC.org I.H.

» 15) OFF-ROAD REDUX: Prom. Just saying the word brings back stiff-legged slow-dancing memories. Here's to history's repeating itself: The Washington Area Bicyclist Association and Washington City Paper present Wheelin' Through Time. Don vintage gear, park your wheels (there'll be extra racks) and gyrate the night away to '80s and funk beats. After hamming it up in a photo booth, guests can enter a prom king and queen contest. A suggestion: Play Queen's "Bicycle" and crown 'em with bike helmets.

» Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW; May 16, 9 p.m., $10; 202-667-4490. (U St.-Cardozo) K.C.

» 16) FLEX TIME: D.C.'s not known for either peace or quiet. But a group of yoga studios is trying to change that with the second annual even keel outdoor yoga series. Regardless of your skill level, you can show up at the mouth of the park with a mat, a towel and a full bottle of water on the third Sunday of every month between May and September.

» Rock Creek Park where Beach Drive meets Rock Creek Parkway; May 17, June 21, July 19, Aug. 16 and Sept. 20; 10 a.m.-11 a.m.; free; Evenkeelyoga.com. (Woodley Park) I.H.

» MORE SPORTS
» D.C. United: The MLS regular season continues through October with games at RFK. Dcunited.com
» Legg Mason Tennis Classic: Andy Roddick will be back in D.C. for the eighth time Aug. 1-9. Leggmasontennisclassic.com
» Redskins: The training camp schedule for the city's most popular team will be released in June. Redskins.com
» CONCACAF Gold Cup: The two-time defending champion U.S. national team plays Honduras at RFK on July 8. Concacaf.com

» Find out the hottest happenings in summer arts and entertainment
» The hottest sports and rec events of the season

Written by Express' Ian Herbert and Kris Coronado