The Long Island Ducks are an American professional independent league baseball team based on Long Island in Central Islip, New York. The Ducks compete in the North Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), an independent "partner league" of Major League Baseball.[1][2] The Ducks played their first season in 2000, two years after the ALPB inaugural season. Since their inception, the Ducks' home ballpark has been Fairfield Properties Ballpark, formerly known as Bethpage Ballpark (2010-2020), Suffolk County Sports Park (1999 and 2010), EAB Park (2000–2001), and Citibank Park (2002–2009).[3] The "Ducks" name refers to Long Island's duck-farming heritage (itself represented by the Big Duck ferrocement)[4] and recalls the former Long Island Ducks professional ice hockey team. The team's first manager was Bud Harrelson, a part-owner of the team and a former major league player.
| Long Island Ducks | |
|---|---|
 Logo | |
| Information | |
| League | Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (North Division) |
| Location | Central Islip, New York |
| Ballpark | Fairfield Properties Ballpark |
| Founded | 2000 |
| League championships | 4 (2004, 2012, 2013, 2019) |
| Division championships | 9 (2004, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021) |
| Colors | Green, orange, black, white |
| Mascot | QuackerJack |
| Ownership | REV Entertainment |
| Manager | Lew Ford |
| Media | Newsday |
| Website | liducks |
History
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The Ducks began play in 2000, and from 2000 to 2019 won four Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) championships. Team owner Frank Boulton expressed his contentment with the Ducks in 2007 to the publication Baseball America, saying, "The Long Island Ducks are the best thing I've ever done in baseball."[5]
A rivalry developed between the Ducks and the Bridgeport Bluefish, with the two teams contesting the "Ferry Cup" from 2009 until Bridgeport folded in 2017. The Ferry Cup name referred to its sponsor, the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company, (which ran a ferry boat line across the Long Island Sound between Bridgeport, Connecticut and Port Jefferson on Long Island), which was frequently utilized by both of the teams and their fans for traveling to each ballpark in the two adjacent states.[6][7]
Baseball Hall of Famer Gary Carter managed the Ducks in 2009. Following Carter's death in 2012, the Ducks dedicated the season to his memory and wore a commemorative patch on their uniforms.
Former Major League Baseball players who have played on the Ducks include Dontrelle Willis,[8] Ramon Castro,[9] Ben Broussard, Leo Rosales, Josh Barfield, Bill Hall, Bryant Nelson, Ian Snell, Daniel Murphy, and Lew Ford. Rich Hill played with the Ducks in 2015, prior to his return to the majors in 2016 with the Boston Red Sox. In 2017, pitcher Éric Gagné attempted a professional baseball comeback with the Ducks; that same year, Nate Freiman, Henderson Alvarez, Quintin Berry, and Tim Melville played with the Ducks and later joined an MLB organization or foreign professional league.[10] In 2026, in his second game with the Ducks, former Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer threw a 7-inning no-hitter (game 1 of a doubleheader), allowing just a single walk. This was the third no-hitter in Ducks' history.[11]
On June 17, 2023, the Ducks became the winningest team in Atlantic League history, clinching their 1,581st win in a victory over the York Revolution of York, Pennsylvania.[12]
In 2026, the Ducks were sold to REV Entertainment, the official sports and entertainment company of the Texas Rangers, who also have an ownership stake in the Schaumburg Boomers (FL), Kane County Cougars (AA), and Cleburne Railroaders (AA).[13]
Logos and uniforms
editThe Ducks' official colors are black, green, orange, and white. The primary logo features the "Ducks" wordmark in orange with black outline. The wordmark begins with a stylized, cartoon duck head in the form of a capital cursive "D."
Since 2015, OC Sports has been the official on-field headwear of the Atlantic League.[14] The home caps are black with the duck head logo centered on the front. The away caps are black with an orange brim and the duck head logo. Batting helmets are black with the webbed-foot logo.
The Ducks wear uniforms produced by Rawlings. The home jersey is white with black pinstripes with the "Ducks" wordmark centered across the front. The numbering on the jersey is primarily in green with white outline and black drop shadow. The away jerseys are grey with the "Long Island" cursive wordmark centered across in green with white and orange outline. The numbering is in green with white outline and orange drop shadow. The alternate is an orange jersey with the "Ducks" word mark centered across the chest.
Season-by-season records
edit| Long Island Ducks - 2004–2021[15] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | W–L Record | Win % | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2000 | 82–58 | .586 | 3rd in North Division | Did Not Make Playoffs |
| 2001 | 62–64 | .492 | 1st in North Division | Did Not Make Playoffs |
| 2002 | 65–61 | .516 | 2nd in North Division | Did Not Make Playoffs |
| 2003 | 67–59 | .532 | 1st in North Division | Did Not Make Playoffs |
| 2004 | 65–61 | .516 | 3rd in North Division | 5–1 (Won Championship) |
| 2005 | 67–73 | .479 | 1st in North Division | 1–2 (Lost Division Final) |
| 2006 | 73–53 | .579 | 2nd in North Division | 0–2 (Lost Division Final) |
| 2007 | 72–54 | .571 | 1st in North Division | 0–2 (Lost Division Final) |
| 2008 | 71–69 | .507 | 1st in Liberty Division | 0–2 (Lost Division Final) |
| 2009 | 74–66 | .529 | 1st in Liberty Division | 2–3 (Lost Division Final) |
| 2010 | 70–68 | .507 | 3rd in Liberty Division | Did Not Make Playoffs |
| 2011 | 78–47 | .624 | 1st in Liberty Division | 4–4 (Lost Championship Series) |
| 2012 | 63–74 | .460 | 3rd in Liberty Division | 6–4 (Won Championship) |
| 2013 | 63–77 | .450 | 2nd in Liberty Division | 6–2 (Won Championship) |
| 2014 | 73–67 | .521 | 2nd in Liberty Division | Did Not Make Playoffs |
| 2015 | 80–59 | .576 | 2nd in Liberty Division | 2–3 (Lost Division Final) |
| 2016 | 72–68 | .514 | 2nd in Liberty Division | 3–5 (Lost Championship Series) |
| 2017 | 73–67 | .521 | 3rd in Liberty Division | 3–4 (Lost Championship Series) |
| 2018 | 68–57 | .544 | 2nd in Liberty Division | 5–5 (Lost Championship Series) |
| 2019 | 86–54 | .614 | 1st in Liberty Division | 6–2 (Won Championship) |
| 2020 | Season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |||
| 2021 | 68–52 | .567 | 1st in North Division | 2-1 (Won Division Series) 1-3 (Lost Championship Series) |
| 2022 | 64-68 | .485 | 3rd in North Division | Did Not Make Playoffs |
| 2023 | 66-58 | .532 | 3rd in North Division | 0-3 (Lost Division Series) |
| 2024 | 64-62 | .508 | 3rd in North Division | Did Not Make Playoffs |
| 2025 | 72-54 | .571 | 2nd in North Division | Did Not Make Playoffs |
| Totals (2000–2024) | 1687–1496 | .530 | 16 Playoff berths | 4 Championships |
| Playoffs | 46–48 | .489 | — | — |
- 4 Atlantic League Championships (2004, 2012, 2013, 2019)
TV/Radio
editAll games have been broadcast live on Dugout TV under the HomeTeam Network channel, the Atlantic League's media streaming rights partner since 2026. Wednesday and Friday games are also broadcast by Hofstra University students on WRHU/88.7-FM. Michael Polak, David Weiss, and Mike Mohr currently serve as the team's broadcasters.[16]
Mascot
editThe Ducks' official mascot is an anthropomorphic duck named QuackerJack. He wears the Ducks' full home white uniform with green and white sneakers. He debuted on March 18, 2000.[17] His name alludes to a popular Cracker Jack ballpark snack food and the quacking sound of a duck.
Current roster
edit| Active Roster | Coaching Staff |
|---|---|
|
Pitchers
Catchers Infielders
Outfielders
|
Manager
Coaches
|
Retired numbers
edit- 4 (Justin Davies)
- Outfielder and franchise record holder for stolen bases. Retired on June 19, 2015
- 16 (Ray Navarrete)
- Utility player and franchise record holder for runs, home runs, RBI, and doubles. Retired on August 16, 2015
- 42 (Jackie Robinson)
- Second baseman. Retired throughout professional baseball on April 15, 1997
- 3 (Bud Harrelson)
- Part owner of Long Island Ducks. Retired on August 3, 2018
References
edit- ↑ "Indy Atlantic League designated MLB Partner League". Ballpark Digest. August Publishing. September 23, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
- ↑ "American Association, Frontier League now MLB Partner Leagues". Ballpark Digest. August Publishing. September 24, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
- ↑ "Park History". Long Island Ducks. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
- ↑ "Determining the Facts - Reading 1: Representational Architecture". National Park Service. Archived from the original on August 30, 2007. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
- ↑ Baseball America's 2007 Independent organization of the year
- ↑ "Ferry Cup Package Available This Weekend". Long Island Ducks. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ↑ "Ducks Swim By 'Fish In Series Finale". Long Island Ducks. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ↑ "Dontrelle Willis Joins Long Island".
- ↑ "Ramon Castro Inked by Ducks".
- ↑ "Henderson Alvarez's Contract Purchased by the Phillies". August 26, 2017.
- ↑ Trevor Bauer throws no-hitter for Long Island Ducks in just second US start since 2021
- ↑ "Ducks Become Winningest Team In Atlantic League History". liducks.com. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
- ↑ Prisbell, Eric (January 28, 2026). "Arlington-based REV Entertainment buys two independent professional baseball teams". The Dallas Morning News.
- ↑ "The Atlantic League Announces Headwear Partnership with OC Sports". SFIA. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ↑ Atlantic League information
- ↑ "Broadcasts". Long Island Ducks. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ↑ "QuackerJack". Long Island Ducks. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
External links
edit
| Achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Long Island Ducks 2016 |
Liberty Division champions Long Island Ducks 2017 |
Succeeded by – |
| Preceded by Nashua Pride 2003 |
North Division champions Long Island Ducks 2004 |
Succeeded by Nashua Pride 2005 |