Ducks aim to regain title

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Last season was one for the history books for the Long Island Ducks, who celebrated their 15th year of operation in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and welcomed the six-millionth fan to pass through the turnstiles at Bethpage Ballpark.

The Ducks, who won back-to-back championships in 2012-13, fell short of reaching the playoffs a year ago despite a winning record (73-67) but plan to challenge for the title again with a rebuilt roster featuring only eight holdovers.

“Ownership has done a great job of restocking the roster with talent,” Ducks fifth-year manager Kevin Baez said. “We’ve got a lot of new faces. We not only added some very talented players, but we added guys who’ll be good for the clubhouse and the community.”

After a seven-game road swing to open the campaign, the Ducks play their first of 70 home games this Friday night against the Sugar Land Skeeters. The first 1,500 fans through the gates for the 6:35 p.m. start will receive a bronze figurine of center fielder/hitting coach Lew Ford, courtesy of P.C. Richard and Son.

“Something we’re really excited about is having a premium giveaway item or promotion for every single home game,” Ducks President/General Manager Michael Pfaff said. “This year’s marketing slogan is ‘Good Times, Every Time.’

“We have several items that are new being incorporated into the fan experience,” he added. “We’ve always had great promotions. To have a giveaway or promotion for every single home game is unprecedented.”

In addition to the Ford figurine, the promotional schedule includes several fireworks nights, T-shirts, baseballs, caps and a Ray Navarette bobblehead. Navarette, an eight-year member of the Ducks, won Atlantic League Player of the Year honors in 2009.

In 2014, Ford became the second player in franchise history to win Player of the Year. He played in all 140 games, becoming the first player in league history to accomplish the feat, and set a single-season record for hits with 189. He led the league in doubles (40) while ranking second in batting average (.347), RBIs (95), runs (100) and total bases (278.)

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