Most big events in Anchorage happen at the Sullivan Arena, at 16th Avenue and Gambell Street (sometimes known as the Sully, it is named after a still-living former mayor). Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster (tel. 907/562-4800, or visit them online), which also sells through local Fred Meyer grocery stores. Ticketmaster also handles events at the downtown Egan Civic and Convention Center.

Baseball -- Anchorage has two semipro baseball teams -- the Anchorage Glacier Pilots (tel. 907/274-3627) and the Anchorage Bucs (tel. 907/561-2827) -- with college athletes playing in a six-team Alaska league during June and July. Cool summer nights under the natural light at Mulcahy Stadium are among our family's favorite outings. You hear, smell, and feel the rhythm of the game when you sit so close in the tiny park. The quality may be uneven, but exceptional players grow up here and many make the majors: Among famed alumni are Mark McGwire, Rick Aguilera, Tom Seaver, Dave Winfield, Barry Bonds, Wally Joyner, and Randy Johnson. Check the Anchorage Daily News or the websites above for game times. Mulcahy is at 16th Avenue and A Street, a long walk or a short drive from downtown. Tickets are around $5. Dress warmly for evening games; a blanket is rarely out of order. A weekend day game is warmer, but then you won't get to see baseball played at night without lights.

Basketball -- The University of Alaska Anchorage hosts an NCAA Division I preseason basketball tournament, the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout (tel. 907/786-1250) in late November. The noted men's tournament takes place at the Sullivan Arena over Thanksgiving weekend. The women's tournament is held on the 2 days prior to Thanksgiving. The Seawolves, themselves in Division II, play the regular season at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex, on campus on Providence Drive.

Hockey -- Anchorage is a hockey town. The biggest headline I've ever seen in the local newspaper is when the minor league hockey team won the national ECHL championship in the spring of 2006. The team, the Alaska Aces (tel. 907/258-2237) competes at the Sullivan Arena. The western division that Alaska faces regularly includes cities such Las Vegas and Phoenix. The season lasts from October to May.

Most years, the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves (tel. 907/786-1250) get plenty of attention all winter. They play NCAA Division I hockey at the Sullivan, a notoriously noisy and raucous venue for opposing teams.