SPORTS

Quack, quack, the Ducks are back

Long Island’s baseball team plays home opener this Thursday

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The Long Island Ducks’ 17th baseball season got underway with a road trip to Somerset on April 21 to play the Patriots in a four-game series, and then the Ducks played the newly created New Britain Bees for a three-game set. Long Island’s home opener is April 28 against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.

Last Saturday, the Ducks held their annual Media Day and hosted a spring training game against their cross-Long Island Sound rivals the Bridgeport Bluefish.

Part of the eight-team independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, the Ducks play 142 games, 71 in Bethpage Ballpark in Central Islip, that features excellent sight lines from every seat and an array of activities that should keep young children entertained.

The league is divided evenly in two divisions, the Liberty and Freedom. In the Liberty Division are the Ducks, Bluefish, Bees and Patriots. In the Freedom Division are the Lancaster Barnstormers, Blue Crabs, Sugar Land Skeeters and York Revolution.

Managed by former major leaguer Kevin Baez, who played for the Mets among other teams during a 17-year career, the Long Island squad includes Sean Burroughs who won the league’s batting title with a .340 average and 2015 Pitcher of the Year John Brownell who led the league with 146 strikeouts and set the Ducks franchise record. Brownell was 12-6 with a 3.38 ERA last season.

“Seeing the fans they always speak highly of the players,” said Baez, a Brooklyn native who lives on Long Island. “We have a great mix and a great chance to win the championship this year.” Marty Janze is the pitching coach and Greg DePalma is the bullpen coach.

The team, which has 16 returning players from last season’s playoff squad, has won three league championships and looks to win their first since 2013. “I am excited to start the season,” Brownell said.” “I expect to win ball games and keep [this team] in the game.”

Lew Ford has played for the Ducks for six seasons over a 16-year professional career that includes multiple stints in the majors. As a player/coach, Ford views his role as a mentor to younger players. “Ultimately you are trying to win a championship and seeing some of my teammates get signed,” he said, are his goals. “I will do everything I can to help.”

Owned by Frank Boulton, Seth Waugh and another former Mets player, Bud Harrelson, who also coaches first base, the Ducks continue to seek sell-out crowds in the 6,002-seat stadium with a couple of new promotions such as “Massage Mondays” in the upper concourse and seating in the Trout Town Fan Can along the leftfield line. There are two packages for the Fan Can, call (631) 940-3825 for rental details.

There is also the Smokin’ Al’s Party Deck and the Hebrew National Picnic Area, both also along the leftfield line. Souvenirs can be purchased at Waddle In shop and online at liducks.com.

All games of the 2016 are broadcast via streaming audio with video available for home games on the team’s official YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/ducksbaseball. All Friday and Saturday night games, as well as a special Ducks Game of the Week will be broadcast on the Ducks flagship radio station, 103.9-FM LI News radio. In addition, all Monday, Wednesday and Sunday home games can be heard on 88.7-FM WRHU Radio Hofstra University. The broadcast team includes Chris King, David Weiss, Michael Polak and James Atherlay.

Games time range from 6:35, 1:35 and 5:05 p.m. At the Thursday, April 28 home opener scheduled for 6:35 p.m., the first 1,500 fans will receive Bud Harrelson garden gnomes; the first of several in-season promotions.