Long Island Ducks seek second-half turnaround

Gutted by roster departures and injuries, the Long Island Ducks completed the first half of the Atlantic League baseball season July 5 with a 30-33 record, 13 games behind the North Division-winning York Revolution.

First-year Ducks manager Lew Ford, the franchise’s all-time hits leader with 1,036 and a key member of three championship teams, witnessed plenty of second-half turnarounds in his 13 seasons and is hopeful for another.

“I try to look at the positives and so far we’ve helped eight guys sign to play either in a Major League organization or professionally overseas,” Ford said. “We’ve had a ton of turnover and some injuries, but I like our roster entering the second half.”

The offense, led by outfielder Tyler Dearden and first baseman Frank Schwindel, did its part through the first 63 games averaging 5.25 runs. Dearden and Schwindel finished first and third in the league in batting, hitting .361 and .353, respectively,

Dearden, who spent his first six professional seasons in the Boston Red Sox organization and played at the Triple-A level in 2023, appeared in 55 first-half games and cracked 12 homers with 46 RBIs and 37 runs. His contract was purchased July 2 by the Minnesota Twins organization.

Schwindel, who has 145 games of Major League experience, appeared in 39 games and belted 11 homers and drove in 38 runs in the first half.

“Those guys were our MVPs in the first half,” Ford said of Dearden and Schwindel.

The most accomplished player Ford has penciled into the lineup is outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., who appeared in 1,182 MLB games and won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2018. He totaled 109 homers, 449 RBIs and 69 stolen bases over an 11-yer career.

A lower body injury forced Bradley Jr. to miss 35 games thus far. When healthy, he’s raked to the tune of a .360 average, 7 homers and 22 RBIs.

Catcher Chance Sisco, with nearly 200 MLB games under his belt, hit a team-leading 14 homers in the first half. Ivan Castillo has been steady with the glove and batted .298 with 6 homers, 23 RBIs and 7 steals in 42 first-half games.

Improving a team ERA of 5.34 and a league-worst .280 opponents’ batting average will go a long way in the Ducks’ chances of getting back to the playoffs. By far their most impressive arm to date is reliever Ramon Santos, who carries a 0.71 ERA with 3 wins (one shy of team leader Stephen Woods Jr.) and 45 strikeouts in 25 innings.

“We have to pitch better and the staff knows that,” Ford said. “They’re all capable.”

 Ducks reach 9 million fans all-time
The Ducks welcomed their record 9 millionth fan through the gates of Fairfield Properties Ballpark June 18 prior to their game against the Staten Island FerryHawks. 

“This is another special day in the history of this great franchise,” Ducks General Manager Sean Smith said. “Reaching 9 million fans is a testament to the incredible support from our fan base since we first opened the gates in 2000 and to the fun and excitement Ducks baseball continues to provide Long Islanders every year.”

Five-year-old Ethan Oldham from Islip entered through the West Gate at 5:56 p.m. with his mother, Katie; father, Craig; and baby brother, Nolan. In doing so, Ethan became the 9 millionth fan in franchise history to attend a Ducks game in their home ballpark.

Long Island became the first club in Atlantic League history to reach the milestone attendance figure despite having begun play in the league’s third year of existence (2000). The Ducks are also currently the league’s all-time leader in sold out crowds with 707, have led the league in attendance 17 times and currently lead the league in 2024 attendance as well with an average of more than 4,500.

 Ethan was recognized during a VIP on-field ceremony for being the 9 millionth fan. Sheldon Ellison, General Manager of the Levittown P.C. Richard & Son location, presented the lucky fan with a $1,000 gift card to use at any of the Ducks charter sponsor’s locations. In addition, the Ducks presented Ethan with a jersey featuring “9 Million” as the name on the back and the number “24”, representing this season. Ethan threw out a ceremonial first pitch, received a 2024 Ducks team-signed baseball, and he and his family were upgraded to VIP tickets for the night.