Baseball

The Blue Rocks (tel. 302/888-BLUE or 302/888-2015), a Class A minor league team, play at the 5,900-seat Daniel S. Frawley Stadium, off I-95 near the Riverfront. Box seats are $9; reserved seats are $8; general admission is $5; and children, seniors, and military personnel pay $2. Parking is free. Frawley Stadium is also home of the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame (tel. 302/425-3265), open April through October, Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5pm. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, and $2 for youths 12 to 19.

Golf

The rolling hills around Wilmington make for challenging golf. The following courses welcome visitors:

The Delcastle Golf Club, 801 McKennan's Church Rd. (tel. 302/995-1990), located southwest of the city near Delaware Park racetrack, offers an 18-hole championship course, pro shop, and full restaurant open from 7am to dark. Nearby are a driving range and miniature golf. Greens fees range from $40 to $45.

The Ed "Porky" Oliver Golf Club, 800 N. DuPont Rd. (tel. 302/571-9041), in a residential area west of downtown and off Route 52 (Pennsylvania Ave.), has an 18-hole championship course, driving range, pro shop, and restaurant; it also provides lessons and group clinics. Tee times are accepted by phone 1 week in advance. Greens fees range from $39 to $43.

The Three Little Bakers Country Club, 3540 Three Little Bakers Blvd. (tel. 302/737-1877), nestled in the Pike Creek Valley southwest of Wilmington, has a semiprivate 18-hole par-71 course open daily to the public, except after 3pm on Thursday and Friday. Facilities include a pro shop, club rental, golf lessons, and bag storage. Greens fees are $49 Monday through Friday and $54 Saturday and Sunday.

Public Parks

Wilmington's playground is Bellevue State Park, 800 Carr Rd. (tel. 302/761-6963), on the northeast perimeter of the city. This 328-acre park was once the home of the William du Pont family. Facilities include picnic areas, garden paths for walking, fitness trails for jogging, clay tennis courts, and an equestrian facility, plus ice skating in winter.

Southwest of Wilmington is Lums Pond State Park, 1068 Howell School Rd., off Route 71, Bear (tel. 302/368-6989). Stretching along the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, this 1,790-acre park contains the state's largest freshwater pond and is home to several beaver colonies and many waterfowl. The pond offers sunbathing (no swimming), fishing, and boating. Bring your own boat or rent a rowboat, canoe, paddleboat, or sailboat during the summer and on weekends in May and September; rates range from $5 to $12 per hour. The surrounding parklands include hiking and walking trails; a nature center; picnic areas; football, soccer, and baseball fields; basketball and tennis courts; and campsites.

Entry fees to Delaware state parks are seasonal, with no admission charged from November through April. Otherwise, the fee is $6 per out-of-state vehicle and $3 per Delaware-registered car. Both parks are open from 8am to sunset year-round.