Explore Long Island

Sports Mascots, giveaways, promotions and cheering on the home team. The spring and summer season on Long Island has become a sports lover's paradise. Every weekend from May until Labor Day weekend there is a professional event on Long Island. And every team has marketed itself to an event for the whole family. Affordable admission prices, contests before and during the event, appealing giveaway items and even some familiar faces on the field has made a Saturday night one that the entire family can enjoy. Quacker Jack, demolition derbys and the Mitchel Athletic Complex have become very popular. Here's a look at professional sports on Long Island throughout the year. Included with each is a number to call for more information and the web address. For regular progress on each team, you can read Newsday's Spotlight on Locals each Thursday and hear the accompanying podcast at www.newsday.com/sports. Long Island Ducks: The Ducks play a 124-game baseball schedule in the independent Atlantic League from late April until then end of September. The 72 home games are played at Citibank Park in Central Islip. Mascot QuackerJack has become one of the most popular figures on Long Island. Between innings there are spectator events and giveaways, such as bobbleheads, tshirts and caps take place at most home games. 631-940-3825, www.liducks.com. New York Islanders: The Islanders open their NHL season in October and play through April, perhaps longer if they reach the playoffs. Their 41 home games are played at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale. For tickets and more info, visit www.newyorkislanders.com. Long Island Fury: The women's soccer team is the newest entry and will play a 10-game schedule from May through July in the Women's Premier Soccer League. The five home games are all scheduled in June at Hofstra University's soccer stadium. The team plans to be fan friendly and have giveaways. 516-459-7123, www.lifurysoccer.com. Hampton Classic Horse Show: Held in Bridgehampton August 27 through September 3, the event is both a sporting and social event. Drawing more than 1,300 horses and riders of many skill levels, including Olympic equestrian athletes, the Classic offers more than $500,000 in prize money. 631-537-3177, www.hamptonclassic.com. Long Island Lady Riders: The Lady Riders play 16 women's soccer games from May through August in the United Soccer Leagues' W-League. The eight home games are played mainly at Hofstra, with one being played at Stony Brook University's Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium. The franchise has won two national titles. 516-735-2277, www.ladyriders.com. Long Island Lizards: The Lizards play a 12-game Major League Lacrosse schedule from May through August, with their six home games played at the Mitchel Athletic Complex. The franchise has been to the championship game five times in MLL's first six seasons, winning a pair of titles. 1-866-LIZARD-1, www.longislandlizards.com. Riverhead Raceway: Every Saturday and select Sundays from May through the end of September cars race around the quarter-mile track at speeds up to 90 miles per hour in several divisions. The fastest and most competitive class is the modifieds, with weekly races plus an annual visit from the NASCAR Whelan Miller Lite Modified Tour. Just as popular are demolition derbys with not only cars but school busses, police cars and taxi cabs. 631-842-RACE, www.riverheadraceway.com. Long Island Rough Riders: Long Island's longest-running team, the team plays a 20-game season in the United Soccer Leagues' Second Division, playing 10 home games at the Mitchel Athletic Complex. The franchise has won two national titles and makes home games a family event complete with several types of interactive soccer games throughout the night. 516-622-3900, liroughriders.com. Fall and Winter season When the trees have no leaves and the weather is colder, there are other events that Long Islanders can enjoy. While the feeling of the great outdoors is missing, the thrill of competition is still alive and well. Generations Bowling Tour: A new entry into professional sports, the GBT will hold tournaments across the country for bowlers over the age of 50. Legends such as Mark Roth, Nelson Burton Jr. and Marshall Holman will compete for $150,000 in prize money including a $25,000 first prize in the Long Island Senior Open November 10-16 at the Sports Plus Entertainment Center in Lake Grove. 516-364-0890, www.pinaclevents.com. Professional Bowlers Association: The PBA travels across the country, holding 21 tournaments from October through April. After a one-year hiatus, the PBA returns to Long Island December 12-17, with a stop at the AMF Babylon Lanes in West Babylon. A fixture of the tour is pro-ams which gives local bowlers the opportunity to bowl with pros. 206-332-9688 (PBA), 631-661-6600 (AMF Babylon Lanes), www.pba.com. Strong Island Sound: The team had a very successful first season in the American Basketball Association, reaching the league's semifinals after a 30-game regular season. The home games were played at several colleges and high schools in Suffolk County with the season stretching from November through March. 631-207-2227, www.strongislandsound.com. High School Sports: You cannot get any more local than high school sports on Long Island. More than 125 schools field teams in more than 20 sports throughout the school year. Find out how your alma mater is doing this season at www.newsday.com/nzone.