Summertime sports: From baseball to rodeos, sports fans have oodles of options

So, you've been sleepwalking since the Utah Jazz were eliminated from the NBA playoffs, and you're not sure if debating or defending BYU's recruiting tactics with Riley Nelson and Malosi Te'o will keep you occupied until the state's favorite sports fire up again next fall?

In other words, it's summertime, your favorite sports are in hibernation, and you're bored?

There's no need to act like a zombie until pro basketball and college football resume. No, really. To that matter, we're here to help fill your summer sports void.

So, back away from the sports-talk radio shows and their bantering about whether you'd pick Ginger or Mary Ann, put the magical fourth-and-18 and Fiesta Bowl highlight videos back on the shelf, and get out and try one or more of these sports and activities this summer:

THE OTHER FOOTBALL: If you haven't heard the purported fact that Utah has more kids who play soccer per capita than all other states, then you either plug your ears when somebody from the Checketts family speaks or you don't have a friend who is an RSL fan.

Either way, Utah is a soccer hotbed, and Real Salt Lake offers local sports fans plenty of chances to see America's version of Major League futbol. RSL still has 11 home dates left on its 2008 schedule (which means there's still plenty of time to watch the Xangos blow a match on the pitch in penalty time).

If things go as planned, one or some of those games might be played at the Fill-In-The-Blank Soccer Stadium that's being built in America's 34th safest city.

• MOTORSPORTS: If you have the need for speed, Utah is now a pretty good place to be, what with the Rocky Mountain Raceways, the Miller Motorsports Park and State Street.

Last weekend had high-flying motorcycle enthusiasts chomping at the bit.

Other "major events" at the MMP include: the GT Live West Miller Park Racing Association Round 3 from June 28-29; the NASCAR Camping World Series from Aug. 1-2 (with cars, not tents); and the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Sunchaser 1000 from Sept. 19-21.

The RMR has a slew of weekly events featuring drag racers, funny cars, pro trucks and more. As for State Street, you're on your own.

• OFF TO THE RACES: If running, cycling or both, plus swimming, are your things, then there are tons of options for you to watch or, better yet, to participate in this summer. The big running events include the Deseret News 10K/marathon on July 24, the Top of Utah marathon in Logan (Sept. 20) and the 178-mile off-road Wasatch Back Relay (June 20-21). Many cities have 5Ks and fun runs throughout the summer as well.