Monday, May 19, 2025
A retooled roster, a brand-new playing surface and a new catering partner are all part of the Long Island Ducks’ fresh identity as the team kicks off their 25th anniversary season.
Founded in 2000 by Frank Boulton and former New York Met Bud Harrelson — who died on Jan. 11, 2024 — the team has undergone major changes heading into this year. One of the biggest updates fans will notice when they enter Fairfield Properties Ballpark this season is installing an all-artificial turf field.
The organization partnered with Suffolk County and County Executive Ed Romaine to remake the entire field turf, including both the mound and home plate.
Michael Pfaff, Ducks president and chief business officer is excited to embark on this new chapter for the team.
“We are very appreciative of County Executive Ed Romaine and his staff and everybody that has helped us get to where we are with the new field,” Pfaff says. It’s fun, you know, to be able not to have to worry about the field as much as we used to.”
In addition to the new field, fans will choose from a diffrent food menu. The team will be working with The Pizzeria, in Central Islip, as its new catering partner for the press box this season.
The Ducks’ roster will also feature several new faces — many of whom fans may already recognize.
After being plagued by midseason departures last season, the Ducks closed out their 2024 campaign with a 64-62 record, finishing third in the Atlantic League’s North Division.
This year, the organization has looked to fill some holes, welcoming 14 first-year players to the team.
Among the new arrivals are former major leaguers John Gant, Zach Plesac and Seth Beer.
Gant, a six-year major league veteran, was named the Ducks’ Opening Day starter. He gave up two runs in the team’s 9–1 loss to the Lancaster Storm on April 25.
Plesac, one of the more notable names on the Ducks roster, spent six seasons in the major leagues — five with the Cleveland Guardians — and made his debut against the New York Yankees, allowing just two runs over seven innings.
Beer spent two seasons in the major leagues and battled with injuries, only playing in 43 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
At just 28-years-old, first baseman Beer says he’s focused on making it back to the majors and has been struck by the professionalism the Ducks have shown during his short time on Long Island.
“I’ve been very impressed. They run this group like an affiliate or big-league group,” he says. “There’s a lot of guys here with quite a bit of service time that would vouch for the same thing.”
Second-year Manager Lew Ford relates how the game has changed to emphasize speed and defense to win.
He highlights the addition of catcher Justin O’Conner, who threw out 49 percent of base stealers last season and owns a career caught-stealing rate of 44 percent.
Ford added that’s what he looked for in his new additions during the offseason, with the aim of continuing to steal bases and limit opponent base runners.
“The game now is moving a lot towards speed. Last year, I think our team stole 190 bases, and we’re looking to build off that this year. We really look for players that can run, play defense, but also, have some power in the middle of the lineup,” he says.
Ford spent a franchise-best 13 years on the team as a player, leading in hits, and being a key contributor to three championships with the team.
He reports that his new acquisitions seem excited to be on the roster, and. pf course, he’d like everyone can stay healthy and be on the field.
“Last year, we lost a lot of guys, a lot of turnovers, but the goal this year is to keep everybody on the field, keep everybody healthy, I’m very excited about it, we’ve got great team right now,” Ford says.
“A lot of guys are very excited to be here, ready to get going. And you know, those are a lot of the new guys. So it’s a great atmosphere right now in the clubhouse.”
