Baseball fans can get their fix at the Fort Lauderdale Stadium, 5301 NW 12th Ave. (tel. 954/828-4980), where the Baltimore Orioles play spring-training exhibition games starting in early March; call tel. 954/776-1921 for tickets. General admission is $8, a spot in the grandstand $12, and box seats $18; admission for kids 14 and under is $4. During the season, the Florida Marlins play just south of Hallandale at Dolphin Stadium, near the Dade-Broward County line. Tickets go on sale in January for $4 to $100; call Ticketmaster (tel. 305/358-5885) to purchase them.

Pompano Park Racing, 1800 SW 3rd St., Pompano Beach (tel. 954/972-2000), has parimutuel harness racing from October to early August. Admission is free to both grandstand and clubhouse.

Wrapped around an artificial lake, Gulfstream Park, at U.S. 1 and Hallandale Beach Boulevard, Hallandale (tel. 954/454-7000), is pretty and popular, especially after its multimillion-dollar renovation, spanking new casino, nightclubs, and restaurants. Large purses and important horse races are commonplace at this recently refurbished suburban course, and the track is often crowded. The most recent renovation has transformed it into a world-class, state-of-the-art facility with four higher-end restaurants, 20 luxury suites, private accommodations for top players, and more. It hosts the Florida Derby each March. Call for schedules. Admission and parking are free. From January 3 to April 25, post times are 1:30pm weekdays and 1pm weekends, and the doors open at 11:30am.

Jai alai, a sort of Spanish-style indoor lacrosse, was introduced to Florida in 1924 and still draws big crowds that bet on the fast-paced action. Broward's only fronton, Dania Jai Alai, 301 E. Dania Beach Blvd., at Florida A1A and U.S. 1 (tel. 954/920-1511), is a great place to spend an afternoon or evening.

In the sport of ice hockey, the young Florida Panthers (tel. 954/835-7000) play in Sunrise at the BankAtlantic Center, 2555 NW 137th Way (tel. 954/835-8000). Tickets range from $15 to $100. Call for directions and ticket information.