Title defense and 15th Anniversary Season begins April 25; Home opener May 2
(Central Islip, N.Y., Oct. 1, 2013) – The back-to-back Atlantic League champion Long Island Ducks today announced the dates and starting times for the 2014 regular season. The Ducks will host their 15th Anniversary Season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and look to become the first team in league history to win three consecutive championships. The team will also become the first in league annals to welcome its six-millionth fan though the gates, an occurrence that should take place in the 2014 season’s first half.
“This upcoming season will be a memorable milestone for our organization,” said Ducks President and General Manager Michael Pfaff. “The fan support at Bethpage Ballpark has been tremendous since our inaugural season of 2000, and we look forward to continuing that excitement and energy as we defend our Atlantic League title.”
The 2014 season will feature a 140-game schedule that begins on April 25 as the Ducks return to the same field where they won the 2013 Atlantic League championship, TD Bank Ballpark, to face the Somerset Patriots. Following a three-game series, Long Island will head to the site where their clinched the 2013 Liberty Division championship, Regency Furniture Stadium, for a three-game set with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. The Flock then returns home for the 2014 home opener, featuring a championship ring and banner raising ceremony, on Friday, May 2 at 7:05 p.m. against the York Revolution.
Fans will be treated to 20 games against the cross-sound rival Bridgeport Bluefish in the sixth installment of the Ferry Cup Series, including 10 match-ups during the month of July. The longest homestand of the season will take place from June 30 to July 9 and feature four games against the Bluefish, three against the Camden Riversharks and three with the Sugar Land Skeeters. Long Island will also host a pair of day/night doubleheaders at the Duck Pond, with the first occurring on Saturday, May 3 against York and the second taking place on Saturday, June 21 against Sugar Land. In addition, the Ducks will host two camp days in 2014 on Monday, July 21 and Monday, August 4, with both games slated to begin at 11:05 a.m.
The league’s best players will take the field at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas for the Atlantic League All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 16. Both halves of the season will be 70 games long, with the first half ending on Sunday, July 6 at home against Camden and the season concluding on Sunday, September 15 at home against Southern Maryland.
Game times will remain unchanged for the 2014 season. During April, May, June and September, Monday through Thursday games will begin at 6:35 p.m., with Friday and Saturday games starting at 7:05 and Sunday contests beginning at 1:35. In July and August, Monday through Saturday games will start at 7:05 p.m., with Sunday games getting underway at 5:05. The 2014 promotional schedule will be released in March prior to the Opening Day of individual ticket sales.
To view a printable 2014 Ducks schedule, please CLICK HERE.
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.
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