Perhaps you are a baseball fan - or possibly you live with someone who is, obsessed with stats and RBIs and the like.

Right now, you (or they) are oh, so happy because the playoffs are here. Want to talk ball? Here, start with this: It’s going to be one of the best Fall Classics ever.

If you’re a Chicago Cubs fan, you’re so happy you could cry. The Cubs have not been in the World Series for 100 years — that’s right, a whole  century. But now, they have the best record in the majors and this could be the year! (Disclaimer: My whole family are Cubs fans, and we were singing, “Go Cubs Go!” the day they clinched the division.)

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Did you make it to Lollapalooza last weekend in Chicago’s Grant Park? Were you in the crowd for Wilco, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Nine Inch Nails or Kanye West? No? Sigh. Neither were we. But that’s fixable. Read the Blogapalooza, take crib notes from the 2008 set lists, buy the shirt and say you went. The Lolla Coat of Arms women’s T (pictured) would do the job nicely, with its black and gold eagle stretched above a Lollapalooza banner ($20). You can get that same coat of arms on a Lollapalooza onesie ($15). A little more cash will get you extreme eye candy with the limited-edition custom-made Lollapalooza skateboard by Element ($95). If you’d rather be the center of attention for having not attended the CMA Festival, you can accomplish that with the 2008 official event shirt, which splashes the logo across your chest and lists the musicians down your back ($20), or even the official 2008 CMA shooter glass (and yes, that is its actual name) for $10. Wishing you’d gone to Bonnaroo? The 2008 limited-edition silk-screened event poster will help with that, since it’s got cool funky art and lists all the musicians who performed ($30). You say you’re more of a Coachella kind of girl? Then it’s the “Sound Waves and Heat Waves Unite” Hula Hula T that is calling your name ($35.) And if you’re really holding out for the music itself, you can still get single-day passes to the 2008 Austin City Limits Music Festival Sept. 26-28 ($80 per day) or grounds tickets to the 2008 Monterey Jazz Fest Sept. 19-21 ($35 Friday, $45 Saturday or Sunday). The longest-running jazz festival in the world already has its own official black, electric blue and gold 2008 event shirt online as well ($25), so regardless of whether you go, check it out. It’s as cool as Coltrane. — by Diane Porter

With the Olympics only two weeks away (Aug. 8 to 24, in Beijing), the world’s focus is on American swimmer Michael Phelps, who won six gold medals and two bronze medals during his last Olympic outing in Athens in 2004. For all things Phelps to show your support, SpeedoUSA is the place to start. While in Beijing, the Phelps and the rest of the American swim team will be wearing the Speedo LZR Racer Bodyskin (pictured), billed as the world’s fastest swimsuit — since its release in February, swimmers wearing these form-fitting suits have set nearly 40 world records. The LZR Racer can be pre-ordered for October delivery ($550). The Speed Socket goggles are like the ones Phelps wore in Athens; they have shatter-resistant polycarbonate lenses with UV protection ($25). A Michael Phelps silhouette T-shirt ($24) has an image of Phelps on the back, along with his signature, and the Speedo USA logo on the front. Zazzle sells a grey and blue “Team Phelps” T-shirt ($21) with a more basic design. Put up this “Michael Phelps One More Time” poster with a striking photo of Phelps underwater ($10). Get a look at Phelps’ rivalry with fellow swimmer Ian Crocker in the DVD Unfiltered ($20) or improve your technique with the instructional DVD Personal Best: Butterly Instructional DVD with Phelps and his longtime coach Bob Bowman ($35). For the full story on Phelps, check out his autobiography, Michael Phelps: Beneath the Surface, ($16.50), which he wrote with Sports Illustrated writer Brian Cazeneuve.

According to a recent study by Yoga Journal, nearly 16 million Americans practice the spiritual-physical art of yoga. That explains all the yoga mats competing for your dollars and why you may need a little help selecting the right one. A good mat adheres to the floor and doesn’t become very slick when you perspire. For most people, from beginners to those who have practiced for years, a basic ¼” sticky mat for $16 (also available in 1/8” thickness) is sufficient, though it may take some breaking in to reduce slipperiness. (Wash with mild soap or mist with a 2-to-1 vinegar-water solution.) Made of latex-free PVC foam, these can last for years. Barefoot Yoga, distributor of the top-rated rubber and jute original eco yoga mat ($67, pictured), has several other earth-friendly mats to choose from. There’s the PER mat ($21, made of Polymer Environmental Resin), which doesn’t contain phthalates or heavy metals, and Earth Elements’ TPE mat, which is $40 and is latex, PVC and rubber-free. The natural jute and PER mat ($40) is similar in texture to the Prana mat ($44). Both are decomposable in a landfill and provide a grippy, cushiony texture. Manduka is another highly praised maker of eco-friendly (but pricy) mats, and I enjoy my Jade Harmony natural rubber yoga mat (from $40 to $76), which is biodegradable and PVC-free. Warning: Don’t leave these mats in the car, as the sun will take a toll on them.

Dad will breathe a sigh of relief Sunday when you give him something other than a tie. Never mind the fact that you picked it up at the last minute! At Things Remembered, orders more than $99 placed by Wednesday will arrive by Saturday at no extra cost. So scoop up a few items to cover Dad, Granddad, Uncle Bob and Brother Bill. Golf-obsessed Dad would love to add the golf pen set to his desk ($30; pictured), while Grandpa might enjoy the leather money clip with card holder ($20). Amazing Clubs offers a variety of “of the month” clubs, like the beer club, cigar club or steak club (prices range from $30 to $75 per month). Sign him up for the club online, and he’ll receive a personalized gift announcement. If your father’s the adventurous type, a gift card from REI will nab him goods for camping, fishing and hiking. Buy an e-gift card and the recipient receives it via email within 24 hours. Nordstrom’s exclusive Kiehl’s Father’s Day Set features shave cream, facial cleanser, moisturizer, scrub soap and lip balm ($62). Buy online and take advantage of Nordstrom’s new pickup in-store option. Sports Authority has a unique guaranteed holiday delivery system. Order by Wednesday and choose overnight delivery service. If it’s not there by Saturday, it’s free. So splurge on Dad while helping him to improve his golf game with a golf course GPS system that measures distances to targets and hazards ($260).

The great thing about going to the beach is staying a while. The rhythms of the surf, the sea air — they work a relaxing magic on stress as you swim and snooze, read a book or chat with friends. We suggest you make the most of your day with a beach umbrella, which will provide privacy and shade and lay claim to your turf. At Shade USA, there are several to choose from. Our favorite for groups is the 20-panel rainbow beach umbrella ($35). The canopy is seven feet in diameter, can be tilted as you like, has an SPF rating of 100 and is water resistant. This one comes with a free self-anchoring system, so you don’t have to purchase a separate sand anchor. Half the size and almost two-thirds less expensive (not to mention much lighter to haul at three pounds) is the clamp-on beach umbrella ($13). It attaches to any arm-rest or tubular frame piece and has an SPF of 35. Or go all out with a Solartek Windbrella ($50), with a six-foot canopy made of a silver fabric that bounces 95 percent of UV rays. Of course, you may forgo the umbrella and bring along a Kelsyus Recline Backpack Chair and UV Canopy ($40; pictured) instead or a Fargason tent chair ($60) if you don’t plan to flatten out on a towel. These portable chairs provide their own shade. The Kelsyus has a drink holder; the Fargason has zippered side windows. And don’t forget a body board for riding waves and frolicking in the surf. A fine entry-level board is the Baja, by Morey (on sale for $65). The Dimple bottom-skin increases speed while the grooved slots minimize turbulence and hold the waves. We like that it comes with a wrist leash so you needn’t spend time hunting for your board if you wipe out. Add towels, summer reading and a cooler full of snacks, and you’ll be awfully close to heaven.

Saddle up, ladies: May is National Bike Month and the League of American Bicyclists is promoting May 16 as Bike-to-Work Day. Haven’t got a thing to ride? Fortunately there many bikes made for female contours. The appropriately named Susan B from Terry ($680; pictured) features the all-important comfortable saddle and a stem that brings the handlebars closer to you. Terry’s Fast Woman is lightweight but strong and reliable and offers options like pink rims ($1,000 to $3,000). For top-of-the-line bikes, cruise by Specialized, where you’ll find 2008 Designs for Women Road Models, including the top-of-the-line Ruby SL, touted as the “lightest, fastest and best fitting partner on the road” ($6,300). The Cannondale Six13 Feminine 3 is constructed to dampen vibrations and offers a velvety-smooth ride ($1,800). It is equipped with puncture-resistant Michelins and a Fizik Vitesse Tri saddle, designed specifically for the female physique with a narrow front and wider back. In line with the trend commuting via bicycle in urban areas is Specialized’s Langster line of cycles named after cities, such as the Seattle Langster in an apropos emerald green ($740). Bike with the one you love on the Mocha & Mocha tandem ($5,725). If your best friend is a toy breed, attach this wicker basket ($80) to your handlebars. The Walky Dog attachment ($40) would work for a large dog that wants to run alongside you. Oh, but what to wear on that speed racer? Got you covered. Bike short are so ho-hum. Get revved up in Terry’s black padded flare skort ($90; also available in three prints) topped off with the blue Sheila Moon bolero ($39) and the matching tank top in quick-dry fabric ($54). Combine safety and style with the Giro Skyla helmet with a floral design ($38). Upscale riders will go for Giro Atmos helmet said to be lighter than smoke at nine ounces, with 26 air vents to help keep your scalp cool ($175).