Indoor Football

The Blackbirds The lowdown -- Starting Saturday, is your first chance to see the Baltimore Blackbirds indoor football team at 1st Mariner Arena. The team, a member of the American Indoor Football Association, will play five games at the arena through June. They meet the Carolina Speed tomorrow night. If you go -- The game starts at 7 p.m. Ticket prices vary. The arena is at 201 W. Baltimore St. Call 410-547-SEAT or go to tick etmaster.com. On the farm The lowdown -- Clark's Elioak Farm is open for business starting Saturday for hayrides and pony rides and a petting zoo. Feed horses, ducks, chickens, bunnies and turtles.

Their helmet logos and black-and-red uniforms resemble the Atlanta Falcons', and their most recognizable player, Joe Maese, spent four seasons with the Ravens. Those are about the only connections between Baltimore's newest professional sports franchise and the NFL. Unless you count the past and present dreams of many involved with the Blackbirds. Scheduled to open their inaugural season in the American Indoor Football Association with a game tonight in Reading, Pa., the Blackbirds have a 28-year-old owner, a coach who has spent much of his career indoors and a roster filled with players still hoping for a chance at the big time.