Ducks shortstop named Defensive Player of the Year; Earns All-Defensive team selection

(Central Islip, N.Y., Oct. 14, 2015) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball today continued to unveil its 2015 End-of-Season Awards. Ducks shortstop Dan Lyons has been chosen as the winner of the league’s inaugural Rawlings Gold Glove Defensive Player of the Year Award and named as the shortstop on the league’s first-ever Red, White and Blue All-Defensive team. Selections were based on voting from club managers and executives.

“Dan has been a defensive stalwart since he started here five seasons ago,” said Ducks President/GM Michael Pfaff. “We’re proud to have him as a member of our organization and are pleased he can call himself the first player in Atlantic League history to receive this tremendous award.”

Lyons, who was selected on Tuesday to the Atlantic League’s End-of-Season All-Star Team, posted one of the best defensive seasons of his professional career in 2015. Among all other shortstops with at least 100 games played, he posted the highest fielding percentage (.976) and recorded the second-most assists (355) and putouts (183). In addition, he committed only 13 errors in 124 games at the position, a decrease in 10 errors from the previous season.

The 31-year-old continued to show impressive range all over the field. He routinely made plays both up the middle and to his right, showcasing one of the strongest arms among all Atlantic League infielders. The Minnesota native also demonstrated a consistent ability to race down shallow fly balls to left field. Lyons represented the Liberty Division in the 2015 Atlantic League All-Star Game and was voted by fans as the Ducks’ Most Valuable Player.

“It’s an incredible honor to present the first Rawlings Gold Glove Award in Atlantic League history to Dan, such an accomplished athlete,” said Mike Thompson, Executive Vice President, Marketing of Rawlings Sporting Goods. “The award has become the industry standard in recognizing defensive greatness in professional baseball.”

The entire 2015 Red, White and Blue All-Defensive team can be viewed by CLICKING HERE. The remainder of this year’s honors, including all club awards, is slated to be announced on Thursday.

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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