Long Island Ducks at Citibank Park, May 4th, 2009

Yesterday was the first night of my 10 game pack tickets to the Long Island Ducks, a baseball team in the ALPB (Atlantic League Professional Baseball).  The Ducks play at Citibank Park, a 6,002 seat facility in Central Islip, Long Island, NY.  Construction of this field began in 1999 and it was ready for opening day in 2000.  The facility is adjacent to county courthouses and so has a nice free parking facility.

Since we are talking about ducks, yesterday was, as is befitting, a rainy day.  The rain came off and on before the opening of the gates one hour before the regular planned start time of 6:35 PM.  A new path was made between the parking lot and the stadium and a water fountain was next to the path.  Around the pond was ... hey I'm talking about ducks here, not geese.  Hey you don't have to get snotty and walk away!

Now where was I, ah yes, it's time to enter the stadium, get a program, some souvenirs and check out the various food booths available.  You have your basic food, and your special food, and you have regular drinks and special drinks, including local beer.

Now I know in this modern family friendly environment that people might be interested in more than just baseball.  (Ah the joys of youth)  So there is a bounce house and a place where you can test how fast you can throw a ball.

Here are a few photos of the outfield with all the advertisements.

It was raining on and off and as a result the game was delayed, first for one half hour and then another.  Even then it took about twenty minutes after the tarp was pulled to re-sand the infield and get everything ready, but soon it was time to play ball.

Central Islip, N.Y., May 4, 2009) - The Long Island Ducks defeated the Lancaster Barnstormers 5-3 on Monday at Citibank Park.

 
Game Audio: Ducks score go-ahead run in eighth
 

The Barnstormers got on the board first with a pair of home runs in the fourth against Ducks starter Troy Cate. Ryan Mulhern and Adam Shorsher each hit a solo shot over the left field wall to give the 'Stormers an early lead. The Ducks came right back with three-runs in the fifth, highlighted by a two-run double by catcher Rob Sandora and a RBI sacrifice fly off the bat Ray Navarrete.

The 'Stormers tied it up in the sixth after a bases-load walk issued by Julio Manon to Lloyd Turner. Manon relieved Cate who pitched five plus innings, allowing six hits and three runs, while striking out two. After Joe Valentine and Dan Miceli tossed a scoreless seventh and eighth, the Ducks took the lead for good in the home half of the eighth. A throwing error by Aaron Herr allowed Ray Navarette to score from third and Johnny Hernandez added some insurance with a RBI single into left and the Ducks never looked back.

Billy Simas nailed down his fifth save of the year with a scoreless ninth and the Ducks halted the Barnstomers' three-game winning streak.

 
The Ducks continue their home stand on Tuesday night against the Lancaster Barnstormers. Game time is 6:35 p.m., and the Citibank Park gates open at 5:35 p.m. Southpaw Brad Halsey takes the mound for Long Island against Lancaster's Zach Parker. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive an Uncle Norman Pet Sponge, courtesy of Sponge Tech. Fans unable to attend can tune into all the action online at www.liducks.com, with Casey Lynn calling the play-by-play.

Duck Tales... Dan Miceli picked up his first win of the season and with that earned his first victory since 2006. Miceli now has 17 career wins in the minors to go along with 39 saves... Joe Valentine who pitched a scoreless seventh inning has now appeared in seven of the Ducks 10 games. Valentine is on pace to break his career high 55 appearances, which he posted in 2002 with Birmingham, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox...Meanwhile, the middle of the Ducks order continues to rack up impressive streaks to start the year. Preston Wilson has reached base safely in ten games he has played and Ray Navarrete is not too far behind, reaching base in nine consecutive games...With the save on Monday, Billy Simas now has saved five of the six wins for the Flock. Simas had a league leaguing 17-saves in 2004, and leads the league in the early going this year as well...Tonight's attendance brings the Ducks one game closer to the 4-millionth fan plateau. The Ducks all-time attendance now stands at 3,933,929.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their 10^th Anniversary Season in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.