Sports fans are satisfied with the best college and professional sports in the nation right in their own backyard. Locally, follow Galveston College Whitecaps baseball.

The Galveston Pirate Professional Soccer team competes in the NPSL, National Premier Soccer League, in the South Central Division. The team is led by Coach Brendan Keyes and the captain of the team is RJ McNair. To find out more about the team and view its schedule, visit www.PirateSoccerClub.com. You also can call (832) 748-1001 for ticket information.

For even more professional sports, one need drive only one hour to Houston, home of the pro basketball team, the Houston Rockets. Also take in Astros baseball, Dynamo soccer, Houston Texans football and Aeros hockey.

Major college sports teams in the area represent Rice University, University of Houston and Texas Southern University. Amateur athletes in Galveston enjoy rugby, soccer, softball and Little League sports at the city’s many parks and ball fields.