Ducks embark on playoffs

The Long Island Ducks (78-47 overall record) open the 2011 Atlantic League playoffs on Wednesday when they play Game 1 of the Best-of-5 Liberty Division series against Bridgeport or Southern Maryland.

Game time is slated for 6:35 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening an hour prior to the first pitch. Game 2 is Thursday at 6:35 p.m.

Should the Ducks advance to the Atlantic League Best-of-5 Championship Series next week, they’ll host Games 1 and 2 on Sept. 28 and 29, respectively.

Tickets for the game and all home playoff games are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, going online to www.liducks.com or calling (631) 940-TIXX.

During the playoffs, all fans in attendance will be treated to a Grucci Fireworks Extravaganza at the conclusion of each Ducks home game. The fireworks will add to the excitement at the ballpark as the Ducks chase their second Atlantic League title in franchise history.

In addition, the Ducks will once again be teaming with Long Island Cares/Harry Chapin Food Bank to host food drives at Bethpage Ballpark for every game of the 2011 Atlantic League Playoffs. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable items such as canned fruits & vegetables, canned meats & tuna, soups, stews, chili, rice, pasta, pasta sauce, cereal and beans out to the ballpark. Fans will be able to drop off items at the designated collection barrels located on the plaza outside Bethpage Ballpark on each game day.

Binick wins batting title

Outfielder Kraig Binick finished the 2011 season with the Atlantic League’s best batting average, becoming the second Duck in franchise history to win the batting title (Henry Rodriguez, 2005).

Binick’s .343 average was 13 percentage points better than York’s Chris Nowak.

“We are extremely proud of Kraig,” said Ducks manager Kevin Baez. “It takes a lot of hard work to achieve this feat, and Kraig has been dedicated since day one.”

Binick began the season with a .333 batting average after going 1-for-3 in the season opener, and his average never dipped below that point. His season featured a 17-game hitting streak, the longest by a Duck in 2011, and a 28 game on-base streak.

In his first season on Long Island, Binick’s all-around play helped lead the Ducks to the First and Second Half Liberty Division titles. Along with his .343 average, the Hicksville native had 19 doubles, four triples, four homers, 47 RBI, 72 runs, and 128 hits. On the basepaths, he led the league with 42 stolen bases, a .894 stolen base percentage, and a .429 on-base percentage. In the outfield, the 26-year-old made just two errors and collected seven assists. 

Fans vote Loree MVP

Pitcher Mike Loree was named the 2011 Ducks/Delmonte-Smelson Most Valuable Player by fans, beating out five other teammates nominated for the award.

“This is a well-deserved honor for Mike,” says Ducks founder/CEO Frank Boulton. “He has been extremely valuable to the Ducks’ success this season and has pitched tremendously all year long.”

Loree became the second Atlantic League pitcher ever to win the pitching “Triple Crown” (Jim Magrane, 2009), leading the league in wins (14), ERA (1.98) and strikeouts (131). The righty went 14-5 this season, including a streak of 10 consecutive victories from May 28 to July 20. He also was named the Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month for June after posting a 6-0 record and a 1.40 ERA in six starts. The righty fired 38 and two-thirds innings, allowing just seven runs (six earned) and seven walks while striking out 41 batters during the month. His efforts earned him a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Double-A affiliate in Altoona.

The New Jersey native broke several franchise records along the way as well. Most notably, he won the most games in a single season by a Ducks pitcher with 14, surpassing Troy Cate’s 13 wins in 2009. Loree also collected the most strikeouts in a single season by a Duck with 131, 10 more than Apolinar Garcia’s 121 in 2000, and struck out the most batters in a single game with 14 on Sept. 15 at Southern Maryland