I have to preface this blog post with the fact that I’ve worked, on and off, for minor league and college baseball teams for more than nine years. So I feel very strongly about the importance of minor league baseball in America and the community’s responsibility to support its teams.
So…when I realized that my parents lived less than four miles from the Long Island Ducks in Central Islip, NY, I bought some tickets a few weeks ago and insisted we attend a game.
Because the Ducks play in the Atlantic League, an independent minor league, I wasn’t sure what to expect. With affiliated teams, generally the higher the level of baseball (Double-A, Triple-A, etc.) the bigger and better the stadiums and overall game-operations are.
But after now attending two games during the month of May, I can report that the experience of a game at the Ducks’ Citibank Park is a terrific way to enjoy a professional baseball game.
Aesthetically, Citibank Park is a terrific minor league baseball stadium. I’d say it ranks at the level of your better Double-A parks. Opening in 2000, the stadium is a 6,000-seat state-of-the-art facility that includes 20 luxury suites, a picnic area for pre game parties, and plenty of concession stands that offer anything you’d expect to find at a baseball game.
One of the more important features of any sports or music venue is the facility’s parking operation, and the Ducks make driving to the game easy for their fans.
What’s impressive is not only are there numerous parking attendants directing fans to the closest spots before the game, but after, when most places offer no staff to help and it’s chaos leaving the lot, there’s plenty of attendants directing traffic on your way out.
Oh, and the parking’s free at Ducks games.
Walking around the concourse before the game, it’s obvious that the stadium is very “kid and family-friendly”, a must at any minor league park. One end of the stadium offers a “bounce house” for the younger kids while the other end offers a “speed pitch” where older kids can test their fastball on a speed gun.
Right before the game's first pitch, when the hometown players are announced and run out to their respective positions, little kids from local little leagues also run out and join the Ducks at their corresponding positions while their names are announced – it’s really cute.
The National Anthem at Citibank Park is usually performed by a local kids group or school groups while a Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop stands at attention in front of the dugouts. And in-between innings, fans are treated to the obligatory games and promotions like “Race the Mascot” or “Dance for your Dinner”.
The baseball action itself is also high quality. Again, as an independent league game you’re not quite sure what to expect. But the Ducks offer a roster of former Major Leaguers and high-level Minor Leaguers.
Among the Ducks players is the former New York Mets first-round draft pick - Preston Wilson (1992). Wilson, Mookie’s stepson, played 10 Major League seasons and was a 2003 All-Star with the Colorado Rockies.
The Ducks are also managed and coached by two former NY Mets. Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter (“The Kid”) is in his first season as Ducks manager while team co-owner and first base coach is former Mets manager, coach and player Buddy Harrelson.
If you’re not a big baseball fan and just enjoy the ambiance of a minor league game, then there’s absolutely no difference between an independent league game and an affiliated game. Both types offer the same ballpark features and entertainment while providing solid baseball between the lines.
But if you’re a serious baseball fan and like to follow player careers, then affiliated ball is your cup of tea.
The difference between the two types of ball, essentially, is that guys on affiliated clubs are younger and still considered prospects for a Major League team.
While ballplayers on an independent league team are usually a little older (mid to late 20’s or even mid to late 30’s) who, maybe once considered an MLB prospect while playing in an affiliated organization, no longer has a realistic shot at the big leagues. They just like to play ball and are still able to perform at a high level.
When one follows an affiliated team, there’s always the excitement that a player or two will, one day, make the big leagues.
I’ll never forget my first season working in minor league baseball during the summer of 1996. I was a media relations assistant for the West Palm Beach Expos when there was some buzz about a new player being added to the team in late April. He was tearing up rookie ball and was promoted to the Expos, a High-A level club.
Well, in the fewer than six-weeks with the Expos this player also tore up the Florida State League and, before the end of the season, had advanced all the way to the big club in Montreal. That player’s name, Ted Leshinski…just kidding, it was Vladimir Guerrero. So to this day, I feel a special connection and rooting interest with Vladdy. You’ll never get that with a player from an independent league team.
The Ducks won both games I attended in May, and following their 4-0 victory over the York Revolution last Saturday night - the fans were treated to a post game fireworks show.
Not bad for an $11 ticket for a second-row seat.
Click Here to View an Image Slide Show of a L.I. Ducks Game Experience
So…when I realized that my parents lived less than four miles from the Long Island Ducks in Central Islip, NY, I bought some tickets a few weeks ago and insisted we attend a game.
Because the Ducks play in the Atlantic League, an independent minor league, I wasn’t sure what to expect. With affiliated teams, generally the higher the level of baseball (Double-A, Triple-A, etc.) the bigger and better the stadiums and overall game-operations are.But after now attending two games during the month of May, I can report that the experience of a game at the Ducks’ Citibank Park is a terrific way to enjoy a professional baseball game.
Aesthetically, Citibank Park is a terrific minor league baseball stadium. I’d say it ranks at the level of your better Double-A parks. Opening in 2000, the stadium is a 6,000-seat state-of-the-art facility that includes 20 luxury suites, a picnic area for pre game parties, and plenty of concession stands that offer anything you’d expect to find at a baseball game.
One of the more important features of any sports or music venue is the facility’s parking operation, and the Ducks make driving to the game easy for their fans.
What’s impressive is not only are there numerous parking attendants directing fans to the closest spots before the game, but after, when most places offer no staff to help and it’s chaos leaving the lot, there’s plenty of attendants directing traffic on your way out.
Oh, and the parking’s free at Ducks games.
Walking around the concourse before the game, it’s obvious that the stadium is very “kid and family-friendly”, a must at any minor league park. One end of the stadium offers a “bounce house” for the younger kids while the other end offers a “speed pitch” where older kids can test their fastball on a speed gun.
Right before the game's first pitch, when the hometown players are announced and run out to their respective positions, little kids from local little leagues also run out and join the Ducks at their corresponding positions while their names are announced – it’s really cute.
The National Anthem at Citibank Park is usually performed by a local kids group or school groups while a Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop stands at attention in front of the dugouts. And in-between innings, fans are treated to the obligatory games and promotions like “Race the Mascot” or “Dance for your Dinner”.
The baseball action itself is also high quality. Again, as an independent league game you’re not quite sure what to expect. But the Ducks offer a roster of former Major Leaguers and high-level Minor Leaguers.
Among the Ducks players is the former New York Mets first-round draft pick - Preston Wilson (1992). Wilson, Mookie’s stepson, played 10 Major League seasons and was a 2003 All-Star with the Colorado Rockies.
The Ducks are also managed and coached by two former NY Mets. Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter (“The Kid”) is in his first season as Ducks manager while team co-owner and first base coach is former Mets manager, coach and player Buddy Harrelson.
If you’re not a big baseball fan and just enjoy the ambiance of a minor league game, then there’s absolutely no difference between an independent league game and an affiliated game. Both types offer the same ballpark features and entertainment while providing solid baseball between the lines.
But if you’re a serious baseball fan and like to follow player careers, then affiliated ball is your cup of tea.
The difference between the two types of ball, essentially, is that guys on affiliated clubs are younger and still considered prospects for a Major League team.
While ballplayers on an independent league team are usually a little older (mid to late 20’s or even mid to late 30’s) who, maybe once considered an MLB prospect while playing in an affiliated organization, no longer has a realistic shot at the big leagues. They just like to play ball and are still able to perform at a high level.
When one follows an affiliated team, there’s always the excitement that a player or two will, one day, make the big leagues.I’ll never forget my first season working in minor league baseball during the summer of 1996. I was a media relations assistant for the West Palm Beach Expos when there was some buzz about a new player being added to the team in late April. He was tearing up rookie ball and was promoted to the Expos, a High-A level club.
Well, in the fewer than six-weeks with the Expos this player also tore up the Florida State League and, before the end of the season, had advanced all the way to the big club in Montreal. That player’s name, Ted Leshinski…just kidding, it was Vladimir Guerrero. So to this day, I feel a special connection and rooting interest with Vladdy. You’ll never get that with a player from an independent league team.
The Ducks won both games I attended in May, and following their 4-0 victory over the York Revolution last Saturday night - the fans were treated to a post game fireworks show.
Not bad for an $11 ticket for a second-row seat.
Click Here to View an Image Slide Show of a L.I. Ducks Game Experience
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