That Indianapolis loves its sports is a well-known fact. And along with embracing the more traditional ones, Naptown has an abundance of games just off the beaten path.

Here are some of the out-of-the-ordinary events that you can watch this summer. And if being in the spectator's position plants the itch to be part of the action, you're in luck: These sports offer plenty of ways to join in:

1. Quidditch

Noon June 3, Broad Ripple Park, 1550 Broad Ripple Ave.

The Indianapolis Intensity brings to life the game that was born from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels. Wondering what quidditch is? In short, it's football meets handball meets dodgeball meets soccer. The basics: Players with sticks between their legs try to score points by throwing quaffles through hoops while avoiding those throwing bludgers, another type of ball.

If it's your first time watching quidditch, following the game's multiple layers can be difficult. So take a look through the Major League Quidditch website to master some of the fundamentals. You'll find the game will never lack for action.

2. Urban ax-throwing

Free open house: 6-11 p.m. June 2, 2-11 p.m. June 3, 2-8 p.m. June 4, 235 S. Meridian St. No. 211. badaxethrowing.com

While close-toed shoes are a must, a full beard and a flannel shirt are not. But if the latter sharpens your ax-throwing precision, then go for it. The casual sport, which has roots in Canada, is coming to Indy, courtesy of Bad Axe Throwing. The premise is simple: Grip the thing, bring it back over your head and throw it at the center of the target.

After the free open house during the first weekend in June, you can book times with your friends for a fee. Participants older than 18 are preferred, but those younger than 18 who are safely able to throw an ax are welcome, as long as they're with their parents.

3. Wicket World of Croquet

Noon June 3, Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., $30 to $75.

Meet croquet on your terms for this event, whether you're a serious player, one who's just dabbling or a nonplayer who just wants to judge everyone else's aim. And be sure to use this event as an excuse to put on your fancy dress whites — the best win an award.

Lunch and drinks are part of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site event. Proceeds go toward children's programs and tours. Register before the event at presidentbenjaminharrison.org. Opportunities to fill out brackets or to sponsor teams are available as well.

4. Vintage baseball

July 15, Oldenburg Academy, 1 Twister Circle, Oldenburg, Free.

At Indianapolis Hoosier games, the joy is in the details that would make today's baseball fans drop their jaws. Think barehanded catches, nicknames, underhand pitching and exciting plays that come from outs made after the ball bounces, player Jim Walker said. And let's not forget the period uniforms.

History buffs will be pleased to know that the Hoosiers of today have roots in the professional baseball team of the same name that played as part of the American Association and then the National League in the late 19th century.

5. Mini-golf meets art

May 28 to Sept. 3, Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Road, included with general admission: $18 adults, $10 ages 6-17 and free for ages 5 and under. Free for IMA members. $8 for public to play during free admission times, which include first Thursdays of the month from 4-9 p.m.

Detailed creatures and themes, created by artists with local and regional ties, set this mini-golf course apart. If you're the serious and competitive type, the art can lighten the mood when you feel like chucking your putter.

Plenty of new holes — including one modeled after the furniture-jumping game many kids played — are on deck. Among returning holes, look for those ornery squirrels who were inspired by the 1822 invasion where the animals destroyed Indiana crops.

6. Naptown Roller Derby

Tornado Sirens vs. Sweden's Stockholm Allstars (with the Warning Belles vs. Evansville's Demolition City All-Star DynamiteDolls), 5 p.m. June 24, Elements Financial Blue Ribbon Pavilion at the State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St., $12 advance, $17 general admission, $8 children ages 7-12 and military, $12 students with school ID, free for children age 6 and younger.

If you've never seen roller derby, get yourself to a bout. Two teams play offense and defense at the same time with the goal of trying to push their respective jammers through the pack of skaters to score points. You'll soon sort through the catchy nicknames and signature playing styles to find your favorites.

The battle is a fast-paced, full-contact sport. And the women's resulting bruises and broken bones speak to the passion with which they play.

7. Cricket Club of Indianapolis

June dates and locations to be announced soon on the club's Facebook page.

Cricket might not be a major sport in the U.S., but its popularity overseas is strong. It resembles baseball in that a bowler, supported by fielders, tosses a ball to a target that a batsman must defend while trying to score runs.

The resulting game ends up requiring more stamina and can last longer than a baseball game, club president Parag Pandya said. Different bowling forms and bounces make the ball difficult for the batsman to judge, quickening the overall pace and keeping viewers glued to the action.

8. Women's football

7 p.m. June 3, Roncalli High School, 3300 Prague Road, $10 adults. $7 military, students and kids younger than 6.

Indy Crash gives women the opportunity to suit up and tackle. The similarities to the men's professional game are plentiful — but unlike the NFL, the women aren't paid. What you'll find on the Crash roster are teachers, EMTs, nurses and factory workers — and a lot of passion that often changes the minds of those who are reluctant to watch women's football, board president Lesley Neff said.

The team competes as part of the Women's Football Alliance, which includes teams from around the U.S. and Canada.

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9. Bike polo

Slaydy Hawkins Four, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 12-13, Arsenal Park, 1400 E. 46th St., Free.

Need a good visual for this? Subtract the horse and add a bike. Riders try to score goals with mallets — and whoever has the most goals in 10 minutes wins. Club representative Megan Burger recommends watching players' ball-handling skills and tricks, which are impressive considering how many tools they must juggle.

The Slaydy Hawkins Four is a play on — you guessed it — Sadie Hawkins Day, when women asked men out. And so the August event will focus on female empowerment in a male-dominated sport.

10. Hurling, camogie and Gaelic football

Indy Invitational, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. June 17, Indianapolis World Sports Park, 1313 S. Post Road, Free, indyinvitational.com

Hurling and Gaelic football are similar to American soccer and football — but with more intensity. With hurling, the sliotar, or ball, can reach speeds upward of 100 mph, said Tim Cabeen, public relations officer for the Indianapolis Gaelic Athletic Association. Camogie, which is the women's version, is quite similar.

The shoulder- and hip-checking show off Gaelic football's extreme physicality — and cause some ugly bruises. But the full-contact nature of the sports and the players' ball-handling skills can make for some exciting viewing.

Call IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at (317) 444-7339. Follow her on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram.