Jovenitti: Top 10 sports for the summer

It’s almost summertime, and that means three of America’s most popular professional sports… It’s almost summertime, and that means three of America’s most popular professional sports will be on hiatus. Football is over — and might not return next year because of a possible lockout — and the NHL and NBA seasons are winding down. So what’s a sports fan to do over the summer?

Well, that’s why I’m here, of course. I give you the top 10 sports to watch this summer.

10. Golf. In uncanny unison, it appears that the nation has jumped back on the Tiger Woods bandwagon. Apparently, just enough time has passed since his sex scandal that he is likeable again. I guess that means the world will like Ben Roethlisberger again in a few months. Woods nearly completed an incredible comeback at the Masters this weekend, and golf suddenly got interesting again.

9. Tennis. This is an underappreciated sport in the United States. It’s one of the most physically demanding athletic events, as a tennis match can last several hours, and players don’t have the luxury of substitutions. If you’re looking to see some live tennis, you don’t need to go to New York and splurge on tickets for the U.S. Open. There is actually a professional tennis league that features some great stars. The Washington Kastles in D.C. have signed the Williams sisters for the summer, so you have a chance to see legends without spending a ridiculous amount of money on tickets.

8. Baseball. There is still one major professional sport in season over the summer. And oh yeah, it’s America’s national pastime. Sure, baseball can be boring, but nothing says summer like spending $9 to sit in scalding hot bleachers in the outfield at PNC Park. Also, the Pitt baseball team is pretty good this season. It’s currently 19-11 and it just opened up a beautiful new stadium atop the hill in the Petersen Sports Complex.

7. UFC. Mixed martial arts have blown up in the past few years. The fights can get pretty intense, and if ESPN is a good gauge, then plenty of Americans are watching. Maybe it’s time to see what all the fuss is about.

6. Quidditch. I know what you’re thinking: Quidditch isn’t a real sport. But don’t tell that to the people who gather on the Cathedral of Learning lawn to play. J.K. Rowling’s fictional sport is officially nonfiction. Leagues are popping up all over the country. Why not hop on the bandwagon?

5. Softball. In addition to a beautiful new baseball stadium at the top of the hill, Pitt also opened a new softball stadium. The women’s softball team is having a great season. With a 24-11 record, the team has already broken the single-season home run record with its 33rd homer last weekend. Take a hike up the hill and go see the Panthers in action.

4. Soccer. I’ll admit, I don’t know much about soccer — other than the fact that every country besides the United States is obsessed with it. ESPN typically shows a few matches a week. I think there are about 431 different leagues, and each player plays in four different leagues, then they all play each other in “friendly” matches, followed by international play where the players go play for their home country. I don’t know if soccer even has a typical “season,” but there has to be something going on during the summer, right?

3. Beer Pong. You might think beer pong is just for frat parties, but besides baseball, nothing quite says summer like setting up a table on your porch on a beautiful, lazy afternoon and day drinking with your friends ­— as long as you’re of age. And if you miss March Madness, then set up a tournament.

2. Australian Rules Football. If you’ve ever been up past 2 a.m. and had ESPN or ESPN2 on the television, then you might have seen this incredibly awesome sport. “Footie,” as it is called in Australia, is a combination of rugby, soccer and American football. The teams play on a gigantic field where the players kick the ball to one another from anywhere while avoiding tacklers. Of course, there are no pads. There are four goal posts at either end, and the aim of the game is to kick the ball through the center for six points or through the outside posts for one point. Players can make an attempt from anywhere on the field, and the action never stops. This might be the most intense sport I’ve ever watched. I really hope it jumps across the Pacific and into the United States.

1. Reading. Believe it or not, there is more to life than sports. Spend the summer reading books. It might be good for your sports-crazed brain. Or you could stay up until 5 a.m. to watch some footie.