Sports and Recreation

     No one takes sports quite as seriously as New Yorkers. Seven professional sports teams dominate the sports scene, including two football, baseball and ice hockey teams. Being a fan here involves unfeigned loyalty: Just ask Yankees and Mets fans what happens when they share a baseball stadium, or how Dodgers fans felt when their team moved to Los Angeles.

Baseball
     New Yorkers are especially passionate about the national pastime. The New York Yankees, who produced such legendary "Bronx Bombers" as Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth, play at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. This American League club won the World Series in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000. The season runs from April to October; phone (718) 293-4300.
     The Mets, New York City's National League team, stole the World Series from the Boston Red Sox in 1986. They play at Shea Stadium in Queens. The season runs from April to October; phone (718) 507-6387 or (718) 507-8499.
     The majors have several Minor League baseball counterparts. The Staten Island Yankees kick off the season in June at Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George. For ticket information phone (718) 720-9265. The Mets-affiliated Brooklyn Cyclones play at Keyspan Stadium on Surf Avenue in Coney Island; phone (718) 449-8497. EAB Park in Central Islip is where the Atlantic League's Long Island Ducks swing into action; phone (888) 332-5600.

Basketball
     When the New York Knicks hit the court at Madison Square Garden, fans are assured of an exciting game. The season runs from November to June; phone (212) 465-5867 for Knicks information, or (212) 465-6741 for the Garden.
     New York loves its college hoopsters, too. The beloved St. John's University Red Storm occasionally play at Madison Square Garden; phone (718) 990-6211 for ticket information. The Long Island University Blackbirds and St. Francis College Terriers both hoop it up in Brooklyn; phone (718) 488-1030 for the Blackbirds and (718) 489-5490 for the Terriers. The Fordham University Rams, (718) 817-4300, play in the Bronx, while the Wagner College Seahawks take to the court at Frederik Sutter Gymnasium in Staten Island; phone (718) 420-4039.

Football
     From September to December, Super Bowl III winners the New York Jets and two-time NFL champions the New York Giants scramble on the gridiron in Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., at the Meadowlands complex; phone (201) 935-8222 (Giants) or (516) 560-8200 (Jets). Tickets are scarce, so unless you know someone with a season pass, your plans may be sidelined.

Hockey
     After a 54-year dry spell the New York Rangers brought home the coveted Stanley Cup in 1994 to the cheers of die-hard fans at Madison Square Garden; phone (212) 465-6741. The New York Islanders, Stanley Cup winners 1980-83, play out of Nassau Coliseum on Long Island. The season runs from November to April; phone (800) 882-4753.

Recreation
     When the hustle and bustle of the city streets is too much to handle, shift into a slower gear. New York's parks and beaches offer peaceful respite. The lush lawns, trees, shrubs and meadows as well as lakes, fountains, sculptures and bridges make Central Park a favorite spot with visitors and New Yorkers alike.
     Roadways in Central Park are closed to motorized traffic year-round from Fri. 7 p.m.-Mon. 6 a.m. (also Mon.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and 7-10 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Apr.-Oct.). However, the transverse roads are always open to traffic. Access to three bicycle routes--6.1 miles, 5.2 miles or 1.7 miles in length--is possible by following the park drives, which encircle the park. Another option is to enter at 72nd Street and Central Park West Drive and pedal south to 59th Street, east to East Drive, then north on East Drive to 72nd Street. Exit at Fifth Avenue, or continue north along East Drive until your legs are tired.
     Obviously you will not find a golf course in Manhattan, but the Department of Parks does operate 12 18-hole public courses in the other boroughs. On weekends golfers might have to wait as long as 8 hours before they are able to tee off; to learn of the waiting times, try the weekend news broadcasts over WNYC (93.9 FM or 820 AM).
     Jogging and walking are the sports of necessity in New York City, particularly if you want to get from here to there in reasonable time. For those with only the sport in mind, the hottest spot is in Central Park on the 2-mile path surrounding the Reservoir. There also are designated jogger's lanes throughout the park.
     Since New York City is surrounded by water, a great way to escape the summertime heat is to visit one of its many beaches. Jones Beach State Park is your best bet: With 6 miles of beaches, a boardwalk and a theater playing host to outdoor concerts, you'll forget all about hot blacktop. Beaches listed below can be reached by either bus or subway.
     Head to Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk in Brooklyn to ride the wooden roller coaster or Ferris wheel; don't pass up a famous Nathan's hotdog for lunch. Manhattan Beach, Oriental Boulevard from Ocean Avenue to Mackenzie Street, also is in Brooklyn.
     Pelham Bay Park and Orchard Beach are in the Bronx. Jacob Riis Park and Jamaica Bay, Beach 149th to Beach 169th streets, and Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk, Beach 9th to Beach 149th streets, are in Queens.
     When there is a chill in the air, New Yorkers head to the nearest ice skating rink to participate in a living portrait by Currier and Ives. The rink at Rockefeller Center has more glitz, especially when the giant Christmas tree is lit in December. Every year nearly 100,000 skaters are enticed to take a turn on the ice beneath a fabulous golden sculpture of Prometheus.
     In 1986 real-estate tycoon Donald Trump paid to have Wollman Memorial Rink in Central Park refurbished, to the delight of fellow New Yorkers. Skating is from October to March. There also is a smaller venue on the north end of Central Park, Lasker Rink, and the World's Fair Ice Skating Rink in Flushing Meadows Corona Park is open all year and has rentals.