The Mets and Yankees are already well into their regular seasons, but their two local farm teams got started Friday night.

The Brooklyn Cyclones kicked off the 2009 season against their crosstown rivals, the Staten Island Yankees, at Keyspan Park on Coney Island.

The so-called "Battle of the Verrazano" ended with the Cyclones beating the Yankees 6-2, and minor league fans appreciated the rivalry created between the boroughs.

"I don't go to the major league games anymore, I come here," said a fan. "It's a lot more fun and its closer to home."

"I love the Cyclones, I love them right here in the neighborhood," said a local fan. "Take the kids, not too expensive, and it's something fun to do in the summer."

"I've been a Yankees fan my whole life, but I root for the Cyclones because I'm from Brooklyn," said Senator Charles Schumer.

Cyclones officials say the game is just part of the attraction.

"The players are really great. They sign autographs. You get to meet them before the game starts," said Cyclones General Manager Steve Cohen. "And you come to a game, even if you're not a true, true baseball fan [and have a good time]. Tonight, we've got fireworks after the game. There's always entertainment going on. So everybody walks out happy. We always want to win, but whether we win or lose, everyone has a good time."

"Almost every game, you can walk up and buy tickets," said Dave Campanaro, director of communications for the Cyclones. "We've got standing-room tickets for the games that are sold out and we've got great seats available for many of the games that are not sold out."

The teams meet again Saturday for the Yankees home opener at Richmond County Bank Ballpark in St. George, before the teams return to Keyspan Sunday afternoon.

This year's 76-game season runs through September 6.

For more information on tickets and special promotional nights, go to BrooklynCyclone.com or SIYanks.com.