Two of my favorite thingsThis summer has already surpassed last year in sunny days. It may take awhile, but soon we'll realize that we can make plans in advance to do things outdoors. Yes we can wear summer clothing and forego our umbrellas (or at least leave them in the car). One of the best activities for warm weather, when the evenings stretch out like a lingering happy hour, is to see a good, old fashioned baseball game. In Anchorage Mulcahy Stadium has one of the best nightlife setups in town.

First, you get to watch sports. This is especially appealing to guys who aren't always in the mood for going out. Plus the stadium is downtown if you feel like more nightlife after the game.

Second, you get to drink beer while watching sports. Mulcahy doesn't restrict drinking to a specific 21-and-up section, but you should be polite when partaking, as there are usually quite a few families with kids running around.

Third, you get all of these things at a reasonable price with familiar, salty and greasy ballpark food. Game fare includes hot dogs, nachos, peanuts and more.

I can't think of a better way to relax after work or kick off the weekend than a baseball game downtown under the light of the midnight sun. Especially with two great local teams to cheer for -- the Anchorage Bucs and the Anchorage Glacier Pilots.

The beer garden run by the Bucs is located just past the concession stand when you enter the stadium gates. Note to first timers: drive all the way into the stadium, almost to the Sullivan Arena. It may look packed because some cars are parked down to the end of the lot, but there's a chance those vehicles are there for other practices -- there's usually a spot closer to the gate. If it's a Bucs game, office manager and Mulcahy promotional coordinator Rachel Leask said the beer garden features Budweiser, Bud Light, Bud Light Lime as well as Alaskan Amber and White brews. You can also find Mike's Hard Lemonade products. Most drinks run $4.50, and if you ask nicely the server will give you an orange slice in your Alaskan White.

If it's a Pilots game, Pilots office manager Kristen Dyson said the beer garden is stocked with Blue Moon, Coors Light, Heineken and Pyramid Hefeweizen as well as Smirnoff products (the coolers, not the vodka). At the Pilots beer garden, drinks come in 16-oz ($4.50) or whopping 20-oz serving ($5.50), which saves treks back and forth for suds and enables more serious game watching -- like trying to determine who has the best uniforms. My vote thus far is leaning toward the Bucs and their neat stripy pants.

Dyson pointed out another reason to pay attention to the field. "The community enjoys seeing the kids that will go on to professional careers," she said. "These kids can go to the National Leagues."

Even if they don't, it's a great way to get a taste of the national pastime and enjoy the summer outdoors.

To see schedules for the rest of the season, visit anchoragebucs.com or www.glacierpilots.com. Tickets run $5 for general admission and $7 for box seats behind third and first base.