Most baseball fans in Lancaster already know that the Barnstormers have a pretty good "War of the Roses" rivalry going with the York Revolution.

And most hockey fans know there's a "Winter Classic," an outdoor game featuring a pair of NHL teams, this time of year.

And the Barnstormers, as they get set to open their annual, popular ice-skating rink at Clipper Magazine Stadium this winter, are now planning their own outdoor hockey classic … one that's also a battle of Lancaster versus York.

Even if the battle is midget-sized.

The Ice Park at Clipper Magazine Stadium, which opens Dec. 22 and runs through mid-February, will host a midget hockey battle on Jan. 8, pitting Lancaster's Regency Panthers against the York Devils.

The 9 a.m. battle will be the first time the ice rink at the stadium has been used for a sanctioned hockey game.

"We've always been interested in using the hockey rink for something more than skating," said Kristen Simon, the Barnstormers' assistant general manager, watching Tuesday as workers filled the 135-by-80-foot rink in the ballpark's right-field area with water.

The water will soon freeze, creating a rink that has become a popular destination for skaters of all ages the past several winters.

The 2011-12 edition will be the fifth season of the popular Ice Park at Clipper Magazine Stadium. Last winter, more than 25,000 people visited the wintertime destination.

"It's always been a major goal of ours that the stadium is showcased, and to show that people can still enjoy it, even if we're not playing baseball," Simon said.

The two hockey teams for the Jan. 8 game are comprised of players 8 years of age and younger.

Cost of the game will be $5, and the rink then will open for its regular Sunday skating session that afternoon.

The rink this winter will be open Thursdays and Fridays from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m., along with special holiday hours.

On Christmas Eve, the ice park will be open noon to 4 p.m.

On New Year's Eve, the hours will again be noon to 4 p.m., but the rink will then re-open from 5 to 9 p.m. for the Lancaster New Year's Eve celebration, with skating included in the $10 celebration admission.

New Year's Eve at the stadium also will be capped off with an early (9 p.m.) fireworks show.

Regular admission to skate is $6 per session, and skaters can bring their own skates or rent them for $3.

Also, stadium concession stands, selling such cold-weather staples as hot chocolate, coffee and soup, also will be open during regular skating hours.

Tickets for the ice park are available at the Clipper Magazine Stadium box office or online at www.lancasterbarnstormers.com.

The ice park also is available to groups of 75 or more for private skating parties, and the rink also may be opened in the event of school cancellations this winter.

For 2011-12, the skating rink will operate through Feb. 12.

doconnor@lnpnews.com