Sports and Recreation

Participatory

City of Charlottesville swimming pools

Indoor 
Smith Aquatic and Fitness Center, Buford Middle School, 1000-A Cherry Avenue. Slides and a lazy river; diving board and lap lanes. Open varying hours seven days. 970-3072.

Outdoor
Onesty Pool at Meade Park, 300 Meade Avenue. Mid-June-Labor Day, lap and rec swim, diving board, slides, and lazy river available. Open 10:30am-8pm Monday-Friday (closes early Wed. for a farmer's market), 10am-8pm Saturday, 10am-7pm Sunday.  295-7532
Washington Park Pool, 1001 Preston Avenue. Mid-June-Labor Day, lap/rec swim available. Weekdays 11am-6pm. Saturdays 10am-5pm, Sundays 11am-5pm. 977-2607

Daily Admission:

City residents: $5 adults, $3 kids (under 48"), $3 seniors (55 and above), $1 disabled.

Non-residents: $10 adults, $7 kids (under 48"), $7 seniors, $2 disabled.

Free for kids age 3 and under

Season passes:

City residents: $81 for two person pass ($31 for each additional person), $51 adults, $31 kids ($24 for Charlottesville City Students).

Non Resident: $170 for two person pass ($71 for each additional person), $101 adults, $71 kids.

For more details about pricing, call 970-3083.

Spray Grounds

Forest Hills: Forest Hills Drive. Open daily 10am-8pm.

Greenleaf: Rose Hill Drive. Open daily 10am-8pm.

Belmont: Rialto Street. Open daily 10am-8pm.

Albemarle County swimming holes
Swimming at all lakes Memorial Day to August 22. Daily 11am-7pm; County residents: $3 adults, $2 children. Non-county residents: $4.50 adults, $3 children.

Season passes:

Residents: $100 family package, $50 adults, $30 children.

Season passes: $150 family, $75 adults, $45 children.

Call 296-5844 for more information.

didja know?
No wonder there's always some gray-haired fella swimming in those prescription drug ads. If you're 62 or older and you live in the County, you can get a season pass for free.

Chris Greene Lake: Rt. 29N, left on Rt. 649 (Airport Road), right on Rt. 606, left on Rt. 850 (Chris Greene Lake Road). 120 land acres, 62 water acres, two beach acres. Canoe rentals for $5/hour throughout the swim season. Fishing, with wheelchair-accessible fishing pier; electric motor boats allowed; playground; picnic shelters; three miles of trails; one acre of fenced off-leash area for doggies.

Mint Springs: Rt. 250W, right on Rt. 240, left on Rt. 788 (Railroad Avenue), right on Rt. 684 (Mint Springs Road), left into park. 502 land acres, eight water acres, two beach acres. Fishing, playground, picnic shelters, hiking trails. Electric motor boats allowed.

Walnut Creek: Rt. 29S, left on Rt. 708 (Red Hill Road), right on Rt. 631 (Old Lynchburg Road), park is 1/2 mile on left. 480 land acres, 45 water acres, two beach acres. Canoe rentals for $5/hour from Memorial Day to Labor Day; fishing; electric motor boats; picnic shelters; bike trails (see Mountain Biking section below).

Crozet Park Pool: 25 minutes west on Rt. 250, right on Rt. 240, right on Tabor Street, right on High Street, left on Park Road, park is on left. 22 land acres, one-acre pond, eight-lane, 25-meter swimming pool. Handicapped accessible with mushroom fountain and 0-depth entrance area. Kids $4, kids under 2 free, adults $7, seniors $3, with discounts after 6pm. Open 11am-8pm Monday-Friday and 10am-8pm Saturday and Sunday. Swim lessons and a swim team are also available. 823-5834

Sugar Hollow: 15 miles northwest at White Hall. This reservoir and expanse of hiking trails is an easy day trip. Depending on the movement of the Moorman's River, swimming holes can be found up and down the trail. Blue Hole is the best known, about half a mile past the last parking area. Free.

Swim Clubs
These are private clubs with membership fees. Call clubs for rates.

Fry's Spring Beach Club: 2512 Jefferson Park Ave. This historic recreation site in the city offers tennis courts and beach volleyball, too. A new 50-meter lap pool plus middle-depth and baby pool areas lie beneath towering oaks and maples. Offers swim classes, tennis and yoga drop-in classes. 296-4181

Blue Ridge Swim Club: Rt. 250W to right turn on Owensville Road, entrance is 1.2 miles on right. 100 yards long and 10 yards wide, this pool is actually spring-fed from a stream and is only lightly chlorinated, so it resembles lake water. Monday-Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday-Sunday noon-7pm. 977-3937

ACAC Adventure Central: 200 Four Seasons Drive. ACAC operates a family learning center, and a water park including three outdoor pools, water slides, and a grill pavilion in a park-like setting. Open daily 9am-9pm. 978-7529

Boar's Head Sports Club: Rt. 250W behind the Boar's Head Inn. Swimming, tennis, golf at Birdwood, and a fitness center. Monday-Friday 6am-10pm, Saturday-Sunday 6:30am-10pm. 972-2237

Fairview Swim & Tennis Club: Rt. 651 (Freestate Road), Six-lane, 25-meter pool with diving well and toddler pools. Courts for volleyball, tennis, and basketball. Open daily 11am-9pm 973-7946

Glenmore, Farmington, and Keswick country clubs: Swimming, tennis, golf, and fine dining are just some of the amenities offered to members. Farmington (296-5661) is west of town in Ivy; Glenmore (977-8865) and Keswick (923-4377) are east of town in Keswick. Take your pick. 

There's even a YMCA in this area, the Piedmont Family YMCA. It's on Westfield Road (near the old DMV). This local program serves over 5,000 local kids per year with a year-round swim team along with basketball, wrestling, soccer, cheerleading, youth leadership training, judo, etc. 974-9622.

The hot summer kids competition is the 16-team Jefferson Swim League. Contact the president, Debbie McPhillips, at 434-978-3909 or at [email protected] for more details.

Fitness Clubs
These are private clubs with membership fees. Call clubs for rates.

ACAC: With four fitness and wellness facilities, ACAC offers indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, basketball arenas, a kidz zone, personal training, senior programs, nutrition and weight loss classes, summer camps, and a day spa. 978-3800

Gold's Gym: For straight up fitness, Gold's is the place. Lots of free weights, machines, classes and kid care. They have a big facility next to the Kmart on Hydraulic Road. 973-1307

Boar's Head: Tennis, swimming, golf, child care, lots of classes, a large fitness center, personal training and much more– convenient for west-of-townies at the Boar's Head Inn on 250 West. 972-6067

CrossFit Charlottesville: 1304 E. Market Street. "The evidence based fitness community," CrossFit Charlottesville offers small group classes taught by certified trainers. The 20 minute workouts are high intensity and tailored to your athletic ability. 260-0209

Solidarity CrossFit: 770 Harris St. Suite 102. The hour long workouts, taught by four certified coaches, are intense performance based exercise dedicated to promoting life-long health and fitness. 218-2111

Pure Barre: New to C'ville in June 2012, this barre-method workout incorporates ballet barre and slow, controlled movements to transform the body. Classes available several times a day. 2200 Old Ivy Road. 245-1119

tru Pilates: Group and private Pilates classes as well as stretching and flexibility classes in a fully equipped private studio. 310 Second Street. 975-3800

Clay Fitness + Nutrition: 233 Douglas Avenue. With a new location at 204 Monticello Road, the 12-week group training fitness programs focus on nutrition and lifestyle changes. Personal training and drop-in classes are also available. 245-2288

Snap Fitness:  Rt 29 North in Seminole Square. Snap has a large cardio area as well as free weights, tanning, and month-to-month memberships. Open 24/7. 973-0587

Shergold Studio: 652 Rio Road West. Although not a typical fitness center, Shergold Studio teaches a wide array of partner dances including the waltz, foxtrot, rumba, and swing. The studio also offers exotic fitness classes. 975-4611

Momentum Pilates Studio:  2216 Ivy Road. Fully equipped Pilates studio that offers private and semi-private sessions.  sessions by appointment only. 293-2635

Bikram Yoga:  109 5th Street SE. Beginners are welcome as this yoga studio that offers several classes daily in a room heated to 105 degrees. 220-1415

Youth Baseball and Softball
Central Little League: Tee-ball to kid pitch for ages 5-12. 284-2173

Cove Creek Baseball and Softball: Tee-ball to senior league/fast pitch ages 5-15 in a picturesque setting. Look closely and you might see a best-selling author on the groundskeeping crew. 970-2255

Lane Babe Ruth League: Big-kid ball, ages 13-18. 977-5772

McIntire Little League: Tee-ball and lower minors league for ages 5-8, upper minor league and major league for kids ages 8-12. Fall ball, too. 817-5100

Monticello Little League: Tee-ball to major league ages 4 to 13 plus fall ball for kids 8-11. Contact league president Steve Morris at 434-953-6491 for more info.

Northside Cal Ripken Baseball: Tee-ball to major league ages 4-12. 980-1256

Peachtree Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth: Tee-ball to Babe Ruth levels for ages 4-15. 456-6544

Albemarle Babe Ruth Girl's Fast-Pitch Softball: This recreational league serves girls ages 4-18 in Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa, and Nelson. Visit their website for registration and team information.

Albemarle Redbirds Fast-Pitch Softball:10U through 18U fast-pitch softball for girls ready to step up from a recreational league and travel to compete in tournaments throughout the state. 540-649-1234

Adult Slow-Pitch Softball
City League: Over 200 men's, women's and co-rec teams from the city and surrounding counties participated in 2010. Men's leagues play Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday evenings; women's leagues play Tuesday evenings; co-rec leagues play Wednesday or Thursday evenings. 970-3271

Adult Coed Flag Football
Charlottesville Sports & Social Club: Flag football seasons for the spring, summer, and fall. CSSC has an eight-game regular season followed by playoffs held at The Park turf fields at UVA. Games held on Sunday afternoons. The cost is $52 per player. 825-9804.

Adult Coed Kickball
Charlottesville Sports & Social Club: Relive old memories and playground glory in the league's spring, summer, and fall seasons. Cost is $45 per player. 825-9804.

Adult Coed Dodgeball
Charlottesville Sports & Social Club: Learn the 5 D's of dodgeball (Dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge) in a competitive league setting. Space is limited for the winter season, so early registration is encouraged. $45 per player for eight regular-season games and a playoff tournament. 825-9804.

Adult Coed Beach Volleyball
Charlottesville Sports & Social Club: Dig deep in this fast-growing and newly Olympic sport. Coed teams of eight play on Saturday afternoons at Pen Park. $45 per player. For those players in the know, wallyball is CSSC's indoor volleyball season held during the snowy winter months to keep volleyball cravings at bay. 825-9804.

Soccer
SOCA: (Soccer Organization of Charlottesville-Albemarle), 370 Greenbrier Drive. Soccer fun for the whole family. SOCA competition can be fierce, not only on the field, but just trying to enroll in the program. Be warned: Classes fill up months before play begins. But for a city- and countywide bonding experience with energetic kids and enthusiastic parents, this organization can't be beat. 975-5025

Monticello United Soccer Club: The club has openings for boys and girls from the U11 to the U19 age groups. Call 974-4625.

Mountain Biking
Observatory Hill: McCormick Road to Observatory Road. Right in the City– or, actually, on UVA property– these twelve miles of single-track trails are some of the most challenging around. Free.

Walnut Creek Park, Rt 29 S, left on Rt. 708/Red Hill Road, right on Rt. 631/Old Lynchburg Road; park is half mile on left. Fifteen miles of trails, ranging from beginner to most difficult, located about seven miles south of town. $3 county residents, $4.50 nonresidents. 979-0964

Fishing and Hunting
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries: To reach the state headquarters, call 804-367-1000 or contact the local office at 540-899-4169. To report poaching, call the Albemarle police at 977-9041 (911 if it's an emergency).

Horseback riding
Wintergreen: Ski resort goes equine in warm weather. Rides $15 for 15 minutes, trail rides $56-$66 weekdays and $58-$68 weekends, lessons $40-$60, and summer sunset picnick rides $95. 325-8260

Graves Mountain Lodge: In Madison County, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Syria. $40/person/hour, $115/half day, $220/full day and $5 pony rides for children! 

North Garden Equestrian Center: Offering lessons in both English and Western riding styles for children and adults. Camps (for riders) and boarding (for horses) also available. 434-882-1841

Horse watching
It's an hour southwest of here, but if you dig equestrian events, this is the place: The Virginia Horse Center. Exit 191 off I-81 south. 540-464-2950. It has a 4,000-seat indoor coliseum and also houses the American Work Horse Museum with authentic plows, yokes, etc.– open when there are events at the Center.

Tennis
Albemarle High School: Eight courts with lights, 2775 Hydraulic Road. 
Western Albemarle High School: Four courts with lights, 5941 Rockfish Gap Turnpike, Crozet. 
Jack Jouett Middle School: Two courts, no lights, 2065 Lambs Road. 
Sutherland Middle School: Two courts, no lights, 2801 Powell Creek Drive. 
Darden Towe Memorial Park: Four courts, no lights, Rt. 20N. 
Charlottesville High School: Seven courts, four with lights, 1400 Melbourne Road. 
Pen Park: Eight courts, no lights, Pen Park Road off Rio Road. 
Tonsler Park: Four courts with lights, Fifth Street Ext. 
Monticello High School: Four courts, hard surfaces, lights. 1400 Independence Way, one mile past the Monticello Visitor Center.
UVA's Sheridan Snyder Tennis Center: 13 courts with lights, corner of University Avenue and Emmet Street.

Rowing
Rivanna Rowing Club: Rivanna Reservoir. Teaches rowing to novices and stages competitive events in the summer. or 978-2092

Running
Popular here. Biggest annual race is the Charlottesville 10-Miler, which will take over city streets in early April 2013. Email [email protected]

One new gig locally is the Charlottesville Marathon. Like the 10-Miler, it happens in April, but unlike the 10-Miler, which takes place downtown, organizers promise the best of both city and country on raceday. There is also a half marathon and a kids marathon. Runner's World rated it one of the the 10 best new marathons in the country. 293-7115

Also popular is the Charlottesville Women Four Miler, to benefit the UVA Cancer Center Breast Care Program. Women and girls walk and run the scenic four-mile route along Garth Road and form groups to train during the months leading up to the race (usually held in the fall). or 434-293-6115

Serving Charlottesville's running community since 1976, the Charlottesville Track Club hosts a number of races throughout the year and offers several training programs for everyone from beginner to seasoned road warrior. The Ragged Mountain Running shop serves as the club's information headquarters with all the latest on upcoming events. Info line 293-6115.

Frisbee
Charlottesville Ultimate Disc Organization
Kudos to CUDO for unifying all those with a love for ultimate frisbee.  They provide "venues for recreational and competitive ultimate frisbee through organization of pick-up games, summer and winter leagues."

Guns
The Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club
A private shooting club on 100 acres off Old Lynchburg Road with everything from trap and skeet to an indoor range to archery. To become a member, you have to join NRA first, produce four letters of recommendation and be able to prove you have undergone a background check recently.

Motorboating
The two most popular spots: Lake Anna in Louisa County and Lake Monticello in its namesake community in Fluvanna County.

didja know?

 It's illegal in Virginia to operate any motorboat– even a canoe with a tiny electric motor– without registering with the state. There's a minimum 2 percent watercraft sales tax and $20 minimum registration fee. Call the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries' Automated Boat Registration Hotline at 1-877-898-BOAT (2628).

Golf
Birdwood: At the Boar's Head Inn, a semi-private 18-hole, 72-par featuring driving range, practice bunker and chipping green. $52 M-Th; $63 F-Sun. Discounts for UVA students. Tee times can be reserved up to seven days in advance and start at 8am. 293-4653

Farmington: Private 27-hole course with driving range and restaurant, this country club green is available to members and guests for $25 during the week and $30 on the weekend.  296-5661

Glenmore: This swanky private 18-holer is available only to members and their guests for a fee of $90. Boasts driving range, putting green, short-game practice area, locker room, showers and lessons. 817-0502

Rivanna River Resort & Golf Club: 18 holes of public golfing, this Palmyra course features pro shop, driving range, putting green, rental clubs and restaurant. Available to all for $30 M, $40 Tu-Fri and $45 weekends and holidays. Tee times can be arranged up to a week in advance. 589-3730

Meadowcreek at Pen Park: A public course offering 18 holes with tee times beginning at 7:30am and continuing 'til dark seven days a week. Golf carts available for $14.95. Mon-Thurs: $25 7am-noon, $22 noon-4pm, $16 4pm-close. Weekends: $30 7am-noon, $25 noon-4pm, $20 4pm-close. City residents can get a discount card and annual or multi-round passes are available. Call 977-0615 for more information.

Swannanoa Country Club: Good views and good price. Eighteen holes can cost as little as $12– although in dry seasons the parched earth may vex players unaccustomed to seeing their balls bounce around as if on pavement. With practice bunker, practice green, pull carts, club rentals, lessons and snackbar, tee times are first come, first served. 540-943-8864

Wintergreen: Two courses– the 4,000-foot-high Devils Knob and Stoney Creek– for pricier, resort-style golf. Resort packages are available and tee times can be arranged by phone. 325-8250

didja know?
Like playing golf, hate paying ridiculously high greens fees, and don't mind roughing it a little? It's not the most manicured course (flat sand greens, no fairways), but located off the 250 Bypass is a nine-hole course at McIntire Park. It still relies on the honor system of payment; there's a small box located on the hill behind the playground. Better move fast, though. The course is threatened by a road project in the works called the Meadowcreek Parkway.

Ice skating
Main Street Arena: West end of the Downtown Mall- After months of uncertain fate, the Ice Park has recently exchanged hands and is now open for a variety of events. $10, $6 for ages 8 and under, will buy admission as well as use of helmets and skates.

Skiing/snowboarding
A selective guide to the best places for avid Charlottesville winter sports enthusiasts.
Wintergreen: Crowded on weekends, but overall the biggest place close to town. Go midweek, and it's all yours. Two tubing parks. 325-2100
Massanutten: A hair farther than Wintergreen and a hair smaller, so it doesn't get as much Charlottesville traffic, but not a bad place. Snow tubing park likely to sell out on weekends. 800-207-4954
Snowshoe: The biggest ski resort in the South– by far. But also a three-hour drive to another state. Middle-of-nowhere location limits day-trippers, so crowds rarely exceed the number of beds on the mountain. 877-441-4386
Canaan Valley: The quieter West Virginia resort. 800-622-4121
The Homestead: Not the most impressive mountain, but what a swanky centuries-old resort, and it offers major winter discount packages. 540-839-1766

Walking Trails
Ragged Mountain: Route 250 Bypass to Route 29 business exit. Take Fontaine Avenue a quarter of a mile to Reservoir Road. About two miles up, parking lot is on the right. 980-acre nature preserve where Edgar Allan Poe used to traipse.

Rivanna Trail: A 20-mile loop almost encircles the city of Charlottesville, follows Barracks Road and goes under Route 250 at Free Bridge. Look for the brown signs. 923-9022

Humpback Rocks: Take 64 West to the Blue Ridge Parkway, 20 miles west of town. This 0.8-mile hike commands the finest view of Albemarle County as well as the Valley, and lures even non-hikers. High sweat factor. 828-298-0398

Ivy Creek Natural Area: Hydraulic Road to Route 743, ICNA is a half a mile on the left. 215 acres boast six miles of walking trails and three quarters of paved trail. Open 7am-dusk seven days a week. 973-7772

For the dogs
For everything you need to know about registering and parking your dog, check out the dogs section of our newcomer's guide.

Climbing Clubs
The only instructor-equipped rock we know of is the Outdoor Wilderness Leadership School at Wintergreen Resort. Private lessons are also available. The rock is rated 5.6-5.11, which means it has routes for beginners to experts. Open seven days a week. Reservations only. 325-8166.

Rocky Top Climbing Club: Join the throngs who have discovered the joys of scaling walls while imagining they're scaling cliffs. Open 3-9pm during the week, 11am-7pm Sat, 1-7pm Sun. They do offer memberships on a monthly basis, but for one-timers, an adult pass is $12 plus an additional $5 to rent harness and shoes, but for students, it's only $10 for the pass. 1729 Allied St. Charlottesville, VA 22903. 984-1626

Going extreme
Skydive Orange: Located at the pastoral Orange County Airport, for new customers this place offers same-day training and tandem jumps for $255, $380 for accelerated freefall, $265 for static line, and $200 for solo jumps or free fall aerobatics. 540-943-6587

 DC Skydiving Center: A bit of a further drive, but here's yet another place to jump located in Warrenton. If you feel an urge to jump out of an airplane, jump with the nation's capital in sight! $299 Weekend price, $220 Weekday price. 

Ballooning
There are no less than four separate ballooning operators in Charlottesville, and they all take off from the Boar's Head Inn, among other places.

Blue Ridge Balloons: 589-6213

Monticello Country Ballooning: 996-9008

Bonaire Charters: 981-5260

Boar's Head Ballooning: 960-2814

Tubing/canoeing
James River Reeling and Rafting: Equipment and tube rental and transportation in downtown Scottsville for fun times floating and frolicking down the James. 286-4386

James River Runners: A similar set-up, but located five miles upstream on a slightly more vibrant stretch of the same mighty river. 286-2338

Albemarle County's Parks & Rec Department Maintains six river access points. On the James River: Howardsville, Hatton Ferry, Warren, and Scottsville. On the Rivanna River: Milton and Darden Towe Park. 296-5844 (See more on rivers below.)

Major rivers
Actually, Charlottesville's nearby rivers won't quicken the pulse of any whitewater enthusiasts.
Hardware River: Down Scottsville way
Rockfish River: On the border between southern Albemarle and Nelson
Mechums River: The one that goes through "downtown" Ivy
Moormans River: Stretches from Sugar Hollow in White Hall over to the South Fork Rivanna reservoir
Rivanna River: A nice calm run exists between Charlottesville and the tiny burg of Columbia where this river opens into the James
James River: The mac daddy of area rivers– in size at least. Home to the two big tubing/canoeing companies mentioned above, it used to be the main "highway" in 18th century Virginia

 

 

Spectator

UVA Football: Coach Mike London is starting off his third year in 2012 as head coach of the ‘Hoos. Before taking over for Al Groh, London had been a part of Groh's coaching staff and previously been head coach for the Richmond Spiders.

 

The Cavs lost some close games against NC State, Southern Miss, and North Carolina, but they were able to pull out wins against powerhouses Maryland, Miami, Duke, and Florida State. The Cavaliers enter the 2012 season looking for big wins against the familiar ACC foes. The 'Hoos open the season at Scott Stadium against Richmond on September 1st. The team has consistently produced first round NFL draft picks over the past few years, including Chris Long, Branden Albert, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, and Heath Miller. 

 

Call 924-UVA1 for ticket information.

UVA Men's Basketball: UVA basketball fans had high hopes for the 2011-2012 season. Despite wins against Virginia Tech, Clemson, and Georgia Tech, the Cavs were unable to keep up the momentum against North Carolina, Florida State, and Duke. Head coach Tony Bennett, now in his fourth season with the 'Hoos, has a promising returning roster for the 2012-2013 season. Playing in the 15,000 capacity John Paul Jones Arena, the team draws a full house for many in-conference games. Call the UVA Athletic Ticket Office at 800-542-8821.

UVA's Women's Basketball: Coach Joanne Boyle starts her second season in 2012 as head coach, after long-time Debbie Ryan stepped down from her 34-year tenure. Boyle brings with her a new staff with and hopes of a return appearance in the ACC tournament for the Lady 'Hoos. Tickets are usually found easily on game days. Call 924-UVA1 for more information.

UVA Soccer: The game the rest of the world knows as football has made itself a major aspect of UVA’s athletics, with both men’s and women’s teams regularly making strong showings and making appearances near the top of the rankings. While season tickets need reservations, single game tickets are available one hour before kickoff at Klockner Stadium. Call 924-UVA1 for more info.

UVA Lacrosse: In what is arguably UVA’s strongest athletic program, the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams play their spring season at Klockner Stadium. Both squads are consistent contenders on the national stage and regular attendees of the NCAA tournament, earning many players spots in national all-star games. While single game tickets are available, make sure to go early.

UVA Swimming & Diving: Missing out on the spotlight given to other sports at the university, the program makes a splash with numerous All-Americans and strong showings at major competitions. The spiffy Aquatic Fitness Center on Alderman Road plays host to regular season meets, and admission is free. The 'Hoos are even sending two teammates to the 2012 London Summer Olympics! Good luck to Lauren Perdue and Matt McLean! 

UVA Baseball:  Head coach Brian O’Connor has inspired the confidence of the UVA faithful, leading his squad to two ACC championships and its seventh straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Tickets for games, played at Davenport Field, can be found in advance or two hours before first pitch. Call 924-UVA1 for more info.

Alternate choice: The Waynesboro Generals, playing in the NCAA approved Valley League, runs a 44-game summer schedule using a roster of off-season college players. Admission is $5 a game, and home games are played at the Kate Collins Middle School field.

UVA's "Other" Sports: Including Track and Field, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Tennis, Softball, Rowing, and Wrestling. We know– these aren't the premiere, ESPN-favored sports. But the Cavaliers boast strong teams in all areas and true fans shouldn't turn up their noses at sports that draw in top recruits and result in national championships and All-Americans. Visit www.virginiasports.com for full schedules and results.

Polo: While the number of sport-enthusiast equestrians is far from overwhelming, Charlottesville is very accommodating to the game, with four area clubs to satisfy local demand. Tailgating at the Polo Grounds of Forest Lodge Farm off Old Lynchburg Road is a summer standby (Call 979-0293 for more info), and Crozet’s King Family Vineyards hosts games every Sunday.

Auto racing For those around Waynesboro, Eastside Speedway offers kart, dirt track, and drag racing that promises to not be a…drag. Call 540-943-9336

Going extreme
KF-Flying Circus Aerodrome: Located 14 miles south of Warrenton and 22 miles north of Fredericksburg off Route 17 on Route 644 near Bealeton, this circus offers aerial acrobatics on summer Sundays. General admission is $10 (additional coupon offered online), $3 for children 3-12, and no charge for kids under three. Fly-alongs also offered on a “first-come first-served” basis with prices ranging between $40 and $130. 540-439-8661

Baseball
Lynchburg Hillcats: Who knows what rising star you might catch at City Stadium, the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Single-A club. With prices very budget friendly ($8 for general admission, $9 for reserved seating), how can you say no to America’s pastime? Purchase tickets for their myriad summer contests here.

Washington Nationals: Despite management turmoil and a less than stellar record, the Nationals still have high hopes for the future. With a lineup that includes All-Star and UVA alum Ryan Zimmerman and a No. 1 Draft pick in Stephen Strasburg, perhaps a turn around could be in the works at Nationals Park. Single game tickets start at $5, up to $325 for Lexus Presidents Seats.

Baltimore Orioles: The organization that prided itself on playing the “Oriole Way” has struggled in recent years, finding itself in a streak of 11 consecutive sub .500 seasons. Playing at one of the most loved stadiums in baseball, Camden Yards, the team plays in the American League Eastern division, one of the deepest in baseball. Tickets can be found from $8 to $55 ($80 for prime games). Get 'em at 888-848-BIRD. 

Pro football
Washington Redskins: Will the quarterback carousel stop with RG3? This year, 'Skins fans hope Heisman winner Robert Griffin III lives up to his promise as #2 overall draft pick and will help carry them to the playoffs after another losing season in 2011. The team plays at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.

Fans looking for single game tickets may find luck searching ticket reseller Stub Hub, where tickets range from $34 to the five figure range.

Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens had another successful season with a 12-4 record for the 2011 regular season, matching their 2010 season. The Raves lost in the AFC Championship by three points against the New England Patriots, but are diligently preparing this summer for their season opener at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore against the Bengals on September 10. Call 410-261-7283 for more information and about tickets.

Semi-pro Football
Charlottesville got its own semi-pro football team in 2011. The Virginia Silverbacks play in the Mason-Dixon Football League and got off to a victorious start, making it to the playoffs in their rookie season. Home games happen at Charlottesville High School on various Saturday nights in summer and fall. $10. Check the Facebook page for updates. 

Pro basketball
Washington Wizards: The Wizards will debut in new colors this season with a red, white, and blue jersey to match that of the Washington Capitals. The Wizards ended the 2011-2012 season with a 20-46 record and 7-7 in the Southeast Division.  Tickets can be in high demand so call 202-661-5050 for more information.

Washington Mystics: The Wizard’s WNBA counterpart plays their games from May through August at the Verizon Center. These ladies finished the 2011-2012 season with an unfortunate 3-10 record. Single game tickets are readily available at game time, and run from $15 to $115. Call 877-324-6671 for ticket information.

Pro Hockey

Washington Capitals: Developing a star-studded roster around all-star Alexander Ovechkin, the Capitals are now the hottest ticket in town. The Caps went a 6-2-2 season this past year, after their head coach Bruce Boudreau was fired in late November and former player Dale Hunter stepped in to finish the season. In June 2012, the Caps anointed former Bruins and Capitals center Adam Oates as new head coach. Tickets can go quickly at its home ice at the Verizon Center, so call ahead to 202-266-2277.