March 4-8

Jim Patterson Stadium
Third Street & Central Avenue
www.uoflsports.com
Free; 3 p.m. (Fri. & Tue.), 1 p.m. (Sat.-Sun.)

Yes, Birdie, baseball is back. While the pro teams have reported for spring training in Florida and Arizona, the college nines are already in regular season action — including the high-flying University of Louisville Cardinals, who won a school record 50 games last season. Louisville got off to a fast start in 2011, whipping Michigan, Ohio State and Minnesota in the Big East/Big Ten Challenge in Florida in February. This weekend at Jim Patterson Stadium, the Cards host a three-game series with Kent State. Friday’s game features $1 hot chocolates and beers (through the first four innings). Admission is free. —Bill Doolittle