Long Island adds two to 2013 roster

(Central Islip, N.Y., April 1, 2013) – The Atlantic League champion Long Island Ducks today announced the signings of infielder Bryant Nelson and outfielder Adam Bailey to the 2013 roster. Nelson begins his fourth season with the Flock and eighth in the Atlantic League while Bailey enters his first season with the Ducks.

“Bryant and Adam both bring strong bats and solid defense to our lineup,” says Ducks president and general manager Michael Pfaff. “We are excited to have Bryant back and welcome Adam to our ballclub.”

Nelson spent the entire 2012 season with the Ducks and batted .265 with 13 home runs, 80 RBI, 72 runs and 30 doubles in 128 games. During the playoffs, he drove in seven runs, scored five and hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning of the Ducks’ Game Five win over the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs during the Liberty Division Championship Series. The Arkansas native was also a member of the Ducks in 2007 and 2008, combining to hit .256 with eight homers, 46 RBI and 13 doubles in 91 games.

The 39-year-old will begin his 20th season of professional baseball in 2013. He reached the Major Leagues with the Boston Red Sox in 2002 and compiled a .265 batting average with two RBI, six runs and three doubles in 25 games. In seven Atlantic League seasons, he has played for the Ducks, Bluefish, Riversharks, Barnstormers and Revolution. The switch-hitter has a .284 career batting average, 190 homers, 1,038 RBI, 410 doubles and 2,055 hits in 1,887 games. Nelson was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 44th round of the 1993 amateur draft.

Bailey begins his first season of independent baseball in 2013. He has played three seasons of professional baseball, all in the Houston Astros organization. Last season, the 25-year-old split time with Single-A Lancaster, Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Oklahoma City and compiled a .264 batting average with 10 homers, 45 RBI and 26 doubles in 98 games.

The Nebraska native played in 132 games during the 2011 season between Single-A and Double-A and batted .291 with 24 home runs, 95 RBI, 155 hits and 24 doubles. Prior to that, the University of Nebraska alum appeared in 66 games with Single-A Tri-City in 2010, collecting four homers, 33 RBI and 15 doubles. Bailey was originally drafted by the Astros in the 23rd round of the 2010 amateur draft.

The Ducks also announced the Shawn Williams has elected to retire to pursue a coaching position with the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Williams was signed by the Ducks on February 15 after playing in 102 regular season games for the Ducks in 2012. The switch-hitter batted .272 with six home runs, 46 RBI and 14 doubles and 18 stolen bases. In the field, he played six different positions and finished the year with a superb .984 fielding percentage.

The son of former Red Sox manager Jimy Williams spent parts of four seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays organization, reaching the high Single-A level. A native of Florida, he retires with 474 games of minor league experience, a .283 career batting average and .973 fielding percentage. Williams was originally drafted by the Astros in the 35th round of the 2002 amateur draft.

The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. Opening Day is April 26. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.

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