Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Ahhh...baseball season. America's pastime. Getting a jersey tan from basking in the sun for too long and paying $20 for a water and hot dog. Is that grass and stale beer you smell?

Breathe in the memories, my friends.

These apps will help you make the most of this joyous season. That is, until football season rolls around.

At the Ballpark (iOS & Android) is probably one of the most useful apps for baseball game attendees. Created by MLB.com, you can use it to upgrade your seats once you enter the ballpark, look for tickets and promotions, or even buy your favorite team's merchandise from your seat.

 ESPN Radio App (iOS & Android) allows you to listen to the action even if you can't make it to the game. Personally, baseball radio announcer's voices are so soothing to me that it helps me fall asleep. So hey, if you aren't interested in baseball, you can always use this app to induce naps! Twofer!

Race to the Pennant (iOS) is for those fans who have no clue where their favorite team stands. This app will show you, in easy bar graph form, where your team is in conjunction to the playoffs.

Never been a fan of watching baseball, but love to game? Baseball Superstars 2013 (iOS & Android) will help you get into the fun! It's like Backyard Baseball for the grown up set.

MLB.com At Bat (iOS & Android) is the best app for all-encompassing baseball goodness. Whether you want to watch live games, look at stats or read baseball news, this is the best app for baseball fans everywhere.

Just make sure to look out for flying bats. And no, I don't mean the sky rodents:

Apps for Your 4th of July Vacation

Most people think vacation is the time to toss the technology and enjoy all the surprises and nuances nature has to throw at you. I mean, all of the technology buzzing around your head is why you wanted to get away in the first place, correct?

Well the Type A personalities of the world say nay. You can use your phone to see what the weather will be like, what the best times are to do that outdoor activity that you have been wanting to do, when to apply sunscreen, etc. Heck, there are even shark trackers. 

Essentially, your phone can be your lifeline to a vacation with no sunburn, not getting rained on, and not getting eaten by a 16-foot Great White Shark. I mean, God Bless America, amiright?

Coppertone MyUV Alert (Android & iOS) gives you local UV forecasts, allows you to set your own "reapply sunscreen" reminder, and recommend a product based on each family member's skin type and activity level. Save the red for your 4th of July decorations, not your skin color.

Foresee (iOS) is a weather app that lets you see the future. First, pick your location and a couple of activities that you want to do (for instance: running, swimming, wakeboarding, etc) then pick your ideal conditions and time of day that you would like to do these activities. It will then tell you the best times to go do your activity, depending on your preferences.

What;s the Fourth without a little fireworks? These apps: Fireworks (iOS) and Fireworks Touch Free (Android) will help you get in the celebratory mood even if your fireworks show gets rained out.

Grill Guide (Android & iOS) is a must if you planning on grilling out this Independece Day. Choose your food from their extensive food list and let the app tell you how long to grill each item, and how hot your grill should be.

Global Shark Tracker (iOS) lets you know where sharks have been recently by tracking over 30 sharks that Ocearch has tagged. This is helpful for those of us who still have nightmares from watching Jaws as a kid. Shudder.

And for the love of George Washington, please read up on your Independence Day history. We did not declare independence from China.: