A new season of L.I. Ducks baseball is underway

Affordable and accessible entertainment is back as Ryan

This year’s slogan is “the fun begins here” and the Ducks will introduce a couple of new fan-friendly amenities to complement their ample staple of promotions and attractions in 6,203-seat Bethpage Ballpark in Central Islip.

A new “bounce house” with a basketball hoop for the children is located by the picnic area down the leftfield line. There is now a photo booth for fans, along with the perennially popular pitch-speed tracker and lovable mascot QuackerJack will continue to meet and great fans of all ages throughout the stadium during game. And don’t forget Grucci fireworks nights.

Ticket prices have remained stable from last season despite rising costs, Michael Pfaff, the team’s president and general manager said. Club seats are $15, field box are $12 and box seats are $11. Parking is free.

“This is not just a seat in the ballpark but an entertainment experience for everyone to enjoy,” Pfaff said.

The Ducks are one of eight teams that play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent minor league. The teams are split into two divisions: The Liberty Division includes the Ducks, the Bridgeport Bluefish, the Camden Riversharks, and the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. The Freedom Division has the Lancaster Barnstromers, the Somerset Patriots, the York Revolution, and the newly established Sugar Land (Texas) Skeeters.

Under second-year manager Kevin Baez, the Ducks will play 70 home games and are seeking their second Atlantic League championship. Last season, the Long Island squad won both the first- and second-half Liberty Division titles, won the Liberty Division playoff, won the first game of the championship series, but the lost the next three games to York.

“I am real excited,” said Baez, a former major leaguer, who played on the Mets between 1990 and ’93. “Last year we looked pretty good, this year looks really good on paper.”