It’s Duck Season!!!

Yes Bugs, you are right!

The Long Island Ducks, that is….

This is the ninth season of Ducks Baseball to be played at Citibank Park in Central Islip. I am so looking forward to getting back to the park.

Mind you, I am a staunch METS fan (sorry Yankee Universe…). I enjoy the rivalry, but don’t hate the Yankees, but I can never root for them (kind of like a certain hockey team that is on 33rd street, eh?). However, going to the Ducks, you are right in the action. An intimate crowd of about 6,000+ that get into it. The action is right on top of you, and although it is not MLB, it is a good product. I love it, and about 3 years ago, Joe McDonald, the “Big Toe” of the NY Sports Day conglomerate, gave me the chance to work on my writing skills, and get to cover a minor league baseball team. I only do occasional home games, but it is a great chance to be responsible for letting people know about the game, that did not attend or listen to the game on the radio.

Some cynical people can say:

Sure - you get into the game for free, and eat for free too…..

Yes - I do, and the food at the game is not too bad, either!!! And yes - I save $10 per game, but really, the cost is DEFINITELY not a factor.

I love the game, and getting to tell people about it - is a great deal of fun for me.

This weekend, the new look Ducks take on the Atlantic League Champion Newark Bears for a 3 game set. The Ducks have a number of players with extensive major league experience, including former Met Carl Everett, who last year for the Ducks slugged a team record 97 RBI’s. Pete Rose Jr., returns to the Flock after setting a team record in hits (155) and batted .342. Local star Kevin Haverbusch comes back to Long Island having a strong spring, and ready to go. Dominick Ambrosini also comes back to the Ducks after achieving career numbers with Lancaster last season.

The Atlantic League now has an even number of team’s this year (excluding last year’s Road Warriors), with the advent of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. With an even number, the Ducks willl play 140 games, so 70 home dates await the fans this season.

Make sure you check out www.nysportsday.com for your great coverage of the Ducks, and other sports that are New York. Great coverage, excellent insight, and independent reporting are what makes New York Sports Day a great place to get your sports info (BTW - am I sucking up to boss Big Toe??? - No.)

I will post my article on the viewfromsection317 Blog too.