BATTER UP

Baseball fans here are very lucky to not only have two major league teams but two quality minor league teams—the Staten Island Yankees and the Brooklyn Cyclones. And this year, more than ever, Mets and Yankees fans may want to spend more time watching their local farm teams continue their “Battle of the Bridge” rivalry. (Only 13 miles apart, the two teams have the closest proximity of any in minor league baseball.) For their openers, they play each other on consecutive nights, first at the Yankees’ Richmond County Bank Park, and then at the lovely beachfront MCU Park on Coney Island. The Yankees come into the season as defending league champs, and the Cyclones will be happy to hand them an early loss. This will also be a Battle of the Mascots, with the Yankees’ Scooter “Holy Cow” and his brothers Huck and Red taking on Sandy the Seagull and her adopted son, Pee-Wee. Dancing cows and seagulls—you have to see it to believe it!

Mon., June 17, 7 p.m., 2013