Every Friday, I'm going to create a top ten list having to do with area sports. As always, this list is not definitive, but it's definitely right. I mean, I wrote it, didn't I?

Today's list: Top Ten DFW Summer Sports Events

I know I’ve been a little lax on the Top 10’s as of late, but instead of blaming that on my transition to Coppell/Valley Ranch neighborsgo editor (seriously, it’s tough), I’ll just say that I’m dumb. That usually covers everything.

Anyways, summer is officially upon us. Some people view this as a sports desert, since the amount of major sports events drops dramatically in the summer.

But fear not! I’m here to count down the Top 10 DFW Summer Sports Events! Onward, to the countdown!

10) U.S. Fencing World Cup

Now, I’ve never watched a fencing match in person. Sure, I breeze past it at 3 a.m. during the Olympics, but I’ve never really had an interest in watching two people fight with swords.

Wait a second. It just occurred to me that fencing is fighting with swords. FIGHTING! WITH SWORDS! That’s awesome.

Luckily for me, Dallas is the home of the U.S. Fencing World Cup from June 19-22. Fencers from around the world will descend upon Dallas to compete in foil and saber at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. Admit it: that’s pretty sweet.

Numbers 9-1 after the jump!

9) Independent league baseball

The coolest thing about this area’s sports obsession is that you get tons of options when it comes to baseball. You can go see major league professional baseball, or you can go see independent league baseball. And trust me: there are more independent league baseball teams than you think.

Coppell’s got the Copperheads. McKinney’s got the Marshals. Fort Worth has the Cats. Grand Prairie has the Air Hogs. I’m sure I’m missing some.

What’s great about indy leagues is that the prices are usually low, so they’re extremely fan friendly. I’d love to hear an excuse as to why you forgo going to a baseball game in this area.

That’s because there is no excuse.

8) Hoop It Up 3-on-3 Tournament

You may be saying to yourself that a 3-on-3 basketball tournament isn’t a big deal. Au contraire, my fine reader: you’d be dead wrong.

Hoop It Up, taking place this year June 20-21 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, brings together the area’s best ballers. It’s a nonstop show of some of the most high-flying, shot-draining, ball-swatting, hard-nosed basketball you may ever see. Even if you don’t compete, you’ve got to simply go out and watch to be amazed.

Sure, it’s amateur basketball, but these guys are really…really good.

7) Horse racing at LoneStarPark

You don’t even have to bet at the racetrack to have a good time. LoneStarPark is a place to go to enjoy a beautiful summer afternoon with some live entertainment of the purest kind. And you’d be amazed at the talent of horses that come through LSP: there are some major league horses that race out in Grand Prairie.

Think about it: you can pay admission and watch up to 10 races without spending another dime! That’s entertainment value.

Of course, I do enjoy playing the ponies. Always bet the trifecta. Always.*

*-I should note that I’m a terrible gambler.

6) Mesquite Championship Rodeo

The biggest show east of Dallas opened its doors on June 5, so rodeo season is in full swing. Resistol Arena is a terrific place to watch some of the region’s most talented cowboys and cowgirls duke it out with some big ol’ animals. It’s a great family event, and beyond that, there’s a great variety of events. From bareback riding to barrel racing, team roping to bull riding, chuckwagon racing to the always-popular cowboy poker (Google it), you’re sure to get your fill of sports excitement out in Mesquite.

5) Frisco Roughriders

The Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers play right up the street at Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, and it’s really a lot more fun than the name “minor” leads on. Dr Pepper Ballpark is a great place to watch a game, and you have a chance to see some of the up-and-coming stars of baseball. Frisco alumni include All-Star Ian Kinsler, current home run leader Adrian Gonzalez and former super-prospects Edinson Volquez, John Danks and Elvis Andrus.

Frisco is the place to see the next big thing.

4) IRL Bombardier Learjet 550

Sure, it’s not NASCAR, but the Indy Racing League is about as exciting as racing gets. Open-wheel racing fans in the area salivate at this weekend, when the best and brightest drivers come to Texas Motor Speedway to lightning around the course at freaky speeds.

From super-mega-star Danica Patrick to Dancing With The Stars champion Helio Castroneves to over major players like Dan Wheldon, Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan, it’s a superstar event for those who follow Indy Car.

3) Summer football

Let’s face it: it’s a football state. And with Arena Football taking the season off due to budget concerns, pigskin fans can get their fix through summer practices. College practices will start in the middle of the summer, and Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard, Calif. is just around the corner. But the big event – high school football two-a-days – forces fans to wait until the end of the summer.

But for gridiron junkies, you can find what you need in the summer with 7-on-7 tournaments and Cowboys’ OTAs.

2) The Colonial

It just happened, so it’s technically in the past, but for me, The Colonial tournament out in Fort Worth marks the beginning of summer. The Byron Nelson marks the end of spring, and the beautiful Ft.Worth tournament that Ben Hogan loved so dear is a must-see for DFW sports fans. Sure, it’s called the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, but for true fans, it’ll always be known as The Colonial. But wow, is that plaid jacket ugly.

1) Texas Rangers

They’re called the Boys of Summer for a reason, and the summer belongs to Dallas’ Major League Baseball team. So far, the Rangers have exceeded a lot of expectations and find themselves on top of the AL West division. And with 81 home games a year, there’s no reason not to get excited about the boys in blue (and red). Even if they fall out of contention, the Texas Rangers are most definitely the No. 1 DFW summer sports event in my mind.

What do you think? Where am I wrong? Where am I right? Send me criticisms and praise at gtepper@neighborsgo.com