For some people, fireworks are a once-a-year treat enjoyed only on or around the Fourth of July. But for Toledo Mud Hens fans, fireworks can be enjoyed any time the Tigers’ Triple A farm team comes to bat and after home games on Saturdays and Sundays and certain special event nights.

Besides after the Fourth of July game, the Mud Hens have fireworks planned for July 3 (125th anniversary of professional baseball in Toledo at old Swayne Field), July 5, 10-11 (Scout sleepover nights),  12 (Red Hat Night), July 24 (Komen Race for the Cure Pink Night), 25 and 26 (also Latino Heritage Night); August 1, 2, 7 (Honey Night), 8, 9, 23, 28-30; and Sept. 3-4 (last home game of year and Walleye Night in honor of Toledo’s new hockey team scheduled to open its season this fall).

On the field, the Mud Hens feature a talented lineup laden with players who have spent time with the parent Detroit Tigers and/or are expected to be the future of the major league team. Players like Jeff Larish, Clete Thomas, Ryan Raburn and Brent Clevlen have all spent time an hour up the road at Comerica Park. Hens’ third baseman Mike Hessman is always dangerous. He was the International League home run leader in 2008 and sent plenty of balls over the fence at Fifth Third Field in Toledo’s warehouse district.

The fireworks after the game are launched from behind those walls and make a beautiful display against the downtown skyline, but even without fireworks, the view from Fifth Third Field looking toward downtown day or night is a great one.

For tickets or more info, visit www.mudhens.com or call 419-725-HENS.

Two new Toledo sports teams to play at new arena
Construction is expected to be completed by September on the new $105 million Lucas County sports arena in downtown Toledo, which will serve as the new home of the ECHL Toledo Walleye hockey team and the Toledo Bullfrogs arena football 2 team.

Toledo Arena Sports, Inc., a new nonprofit corporation similar to the one that operates the Toledo Mud Hens, was established to operate the two professional teams at the 8,000 seat arena at Jefferson and Huron streets, a block from Fifth Third Field.

The Walleye will open play Oct. 16 against Florida and will play 15 of their first 21 games at home in their new arena. Over the course of the season, 33 of their 36 home games will be played on weekends  (Friday through Sunday).

Though a puck hasn’t been dropped, Toledo’s history as the former home of the Blades, Goaldiggers and until a few years ago, the Storm, has already driven new Walleye merchandise sales to fifth best in the league among 21 teams.

The Bullfrogs will kickoff play in 2010. Their schedule has yet to be set.

For tickets and more information, visit the Toledo Walleye at toledowalleye.com, the Toledo Bullfrogs at toledobullfrogs.com and the af2 at www.af2.com

Head for the checkered flag
The ARCA Re/Max series returns to its home at Toledo Speedway on Sept. 4 for another 200-lap run around the half-mile, semi-banked track located just west of the Alexis Road exit off I-75 at 5639 Benore Rd.

For the 2009 season, the Hantz Group is joining with Allegiant Air to sponsor the late model ARCA Glass City Golf Cup racing series. The five-race schedule calls for three events at Toledo and two at Flat Rock with points awarded as well as cash bonuses for the top five racers.

Racing season runs through the 100-lap or two-hour Enduro open competition Oct. 17. In between are special events, including a Monster Truck Show July 24-25 and the always-popular School Bus, Train and Boat Figure 8s plus Backup backwards races on Sept. 18,

For tickets or more info, call 419-727-1100 or visit toledospeedway.com.

Horsin’ around at the park  
There’s a lot more than just live harness racing on summer weekends at Raceway Park, located at 5700 Telegraph Rd., Toledo.

There are eight scheduled Friday Night Frenzy events beginning July 10 and running through Aug. 28. Live music will be performed on the apron, and there will be happy hour prices and Mud Hens ticket giveaways.

The third annual Party @The Park summer concert series every Saturday through Aug. 29 allows you to watch live racing while listening to your favorite live music on the apron. In addition, there’s a cookout with grilled burgers and hot dogs and beer and pop.

Every Sunday during live racing is Super Savings Sunday from open until closing, and includes $1 admission, programs, hot dogs, beers and sodas.

For race times and more information, visit www.racewayparktoledo.com or call 419-476-7751.

Sprinting for the finish
Sprint racing is scheduled every Saturday through Sept. 26 at Fremont Speedway, except Aug 22 and 29 when the Sandusky County Fair is held at the fairgrounds at 2111 Hayes Ave.

Rich Farmer and Andy James, co-promoters who took over operations at the Fremont Speedway in 2008, said they learned a lot from their first year in business and are excited by the favorable support they have received from the business community. So much so, in fact, that they added a sponsored racing date this year.

“We’re extremely excited about the 2009 season and the affordable entertainment we can offer families,” Farmer said.

Highlights of the remainder of the 2009 season include fireworks, music and a salute to the military on the Fourth of July; an open-wheel shootout featuring the 410 and 305/360 springs Aug. 15; the 10th annual 305 Sprint Invitational Sept. 6; Season Championship Night Sept. 12; All-Star Circuit of Champions Championship Night Sept. 19; non-wing 410 and 305 sprint Sept. 26; and a special extra Saturday of racing Oct. 3 as Ludwing Propane is tentatively scheduled to host 410 sprints, 305 sprints and dirt trucks.

Gates open each Saturday at 4 p.m. during the season and racing gets underway at 7 p.m. (Times may change for special events.

For more information, call 419-333-0478 or visit www.fremontohspeedway.com.

Pin down some fun
Bowling has always been a popular recreational sport in the Maumee Bay area and there are numerous locations where you can participate too.

Many places also offer glow bowling where patrons play in the dark, the better to see the luminescent glowing bowling balls as they roll down the alley. Several area bowling centers off glow bowling, as well as bumper rails to keep the balls out of the gutters for kids and newbie bowlers who need a little help getting, well, rolling.

Local lanes include:
• Bay Center Recreation, 3316 Navarre Ave. (SR 2), Oregon. 419-691-3593.
• Eastern Freeway Lanes, 3511 Woodville Rd. at I-280, Northwood. 419-691-8551.
• Toledo Sports Center, 1516 Starr Ave., Toledo. 419-693-0687.
• Tri County Bowling Lanes, 512 Lime St., Woodville. 419-849-3400.
• 20th Century Lanes, 1284 S. SR 19, Oak Harbor. 419-898-8701.

Fit in some time for fitness
There are plenty of activities for everyone at the Eastern Community YMCA, 2960 Pickle Rd. in Oregon.

The fun includes indoor and outdoor recreational activities like swimming, volleyball, tennis, gym, saunas and more. Meeting rooms and childcare are available.

For additional information, call 419-691-3523.

Rolling along
No matter the weather outside you can always enjoy skating indoors year-round at Fun Spot Arena in Oregon, Ohio. Founded in 1960, the family-owned rink offers in-line skating on an old-fashioned roller skating rink. Located at 525 Earlwood Avenue near Starr Avenue and I-280 in Oregon, the rink offers special rates for birthday and other private parties. For hours and more information, call 419-693-1421.

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