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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.
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