A summer without baseball is like a summer without the sunshine. Watching a team of nine take the diamond, whether in chase of a hardball or softball, is the single most popular pastime in Lawrence. So if you’re looking for something to do on a beautiful evening, here’s how to take in a ball game.

To reserve one of the area diamonds, call Douglas County Parks and Recreation at: 832-7920. Otherwise, head to the batting cages at the Clinton Lake Softball Complex. One dollar buys 20 pitches in either the slow or fast pitch softball cages, or one of the hardball machines. Hours are 8 a.m. through 9 p.m., or your team can reserve a spot by the hour ($18) or half-hour ($11) by calling the same 832-7920. (click on the photo above to go to the video/photo gallery)

The big fish in the pond is clearly the Major League Baseball team just across the state line. Sure, the Royals might not be on its way to a winning season, but there is something undeniably American about spending the day at a beautiful ballpark, devouring a couple of hot dogs and singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch.

Little-known fact: Kauffman Stadium boasts the largest privately-funded fountain in the world (according to their Web site, www.kcroyals.com. For schedules and tickets, either check out their Web site, or call 1-800-6ROYALS (1-800-676-9257), or 816-504-4040 in Kansas City.

To enjoy a great game without leaving town, there are the over 1,500 participants in amateur baseball, from the powerful Legion squads down to the T-Ball teams.

The Lawrence Raiders head the Lawrence Amateur Baseball Assn. line-up. This 18-and-under team plays its home games at Free State High School against opponents from across the Midwest. It and the Outlaws include the top varsity players from Lawrence’s two high schools. You can follow their season by visiting legionball.ljworld.com.

The junior varsity teams from FSHS and LHS, respectively, are the Bandits and Mavericks. But this year, many LHS players opted to join the independent – and appropriately named – Renegades. Read the related Journal-World story.

The Douglas County Amateur Baseball Assn. operates the Little League divisions in town. Lee Ice, Youth Sports supervisor and member of the American Legion board, said DCABA was so popular because it offered many levels of enjoyment depending on the interest and skill of the players.

From the least involvement at a dozen games, up through the competitive, traveling teams that play upwards of 40 games, any player can find a place. Fans are sure to find a ball game at the many fields scattered throughout town: YSI complex, Holcom Blue at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds, Broken Arrow, Lawrence High School and Deerfield School are the most active.

Members of the Crown Royals relax at CLSC after their city softball game. Click on the photo above for sights, sounds and interviews.

The Journal-World Sports editor, Chuck Woodling, recently wrote a column on excitement that is T-Ball. Read what he has to say.

More than 4,000 people gather on area softball diamonds and play on 260 different teams, composing 31 divisions. Clinton Lake Sports Complex hosts most games, but others can be found at Lyons Park (Lyons street in North Lawrence) and historic Hobbs Field (11th and Delaware). Keep up with the action with the LJWorld.com special section.

Baseball is alive and well through several forms over the area. The Holcom complex (27th Street west of Iowa), Douglas County 4-H fairgrounds, YSI and CLSC all offer concessions, so plenty of dogs and cotton candy can be enjoyed along with what will always be America’s game.