Though their play of late has diminished the Ducks’ chances of dominating the top of the Atlantic League’s North Division standings in the second half as they had in the first, playoff qualification is still guaranteed. Just as the expansion of said league is as well.
Last month, the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball’s board of directors approved applications submitted by teams based in Hagerstown, Maryland and Staten Island, New York, respectively.
“We are excited that Atlantic League baseball is coming to Hagerstown,” ALPB President Rick White announced. “We are grateful to the State of Maryland for its commitment to a downtown recreational venue built for the enjoyment of all Hagerstown and Washington County residents.”
Due to the minor leagues’ 2020 season cancellation amid the coronavirus pandemic, the close-knit, and for the first time since 1993, affiliate-less city, missed out on their chance to properly bid farewell to the open-since-1930 Municipal Stadium. Hagerstown had served as home to the Washington Nationals’ low-A ballclub since 2007. Despite the lack of a direct connection to a major league club moving forward, a buzz is sure to take over a city populated by those eager to welcome in any form of pro[1]ball. Let alone, within a state-of-the-art new facility tailored especially to the needs of a small town with a big heart.
The yet-named Ducks competitor-to[1]be sports an ownership group consisting of Howard “Blackie” Bowen, Don Bowman, James Holzapfel and Frank Boulton. Their consortium, Downtown Baseball, LLC, will welcome citizen engagement in determining a team name and mascot.
Meanwhile, the good people of Staten Island too can pick themselves off a floor also paved for some time with team[1]deprived devastation. When the New York Yankees announced they would withdraw from the borough that hosted their short[1]season single-A club since 1999, combined with the canning of last season altogether, a sour taste was left in the mouths of Staten Island’s fans, and residents in general. Making movie scenes playing tribute to the impact the minor league bombers had on that community all the more resonate for those who caught Pete Davidson and Judd Apatow’s aptly-titled 2020 comedy/drama, “The King of Staten Island.”
But one personally affected need not feel obligated to dwell in the house of their makeshift time capsules any longer. Manhattan billionaire John Catsimatidis, New Jersey politico Eric Shuffler, and a robust assemblage of other investors, including: Dany Garcia (ex-wife of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), the above-mentioned Davidson, and fellow Staten Island born[1]and-bred “Saturday Night Live” comedian Colin Jost – have swooped in to help an oft-times underdog borough give the two[1]decades-strong Flock from Long Island a run for their money.
“We’re going to have a facility that sits 7,171 seats — we’re bigger than Radio City Music Hall,” Catsimatidis declared. “We’ll be able to have concerts, WABC has Cousin Brucie, Joe Piscopo singing Sinatra, we just signed up Dean Martin’s daughter, Constantine Maroulis, Tony Orlando, we’re going to have concerts there all the time.” Catsimatidis also urged, “if Staten Islanders have comments or projected names, email baseball@ wabcradio.com.”
“Team naming and team rebranding can be a tricky business,” explained Staten Island Borough President James Oddo, citing the Cleveland Indians’ polarizing decision to become the Guardians next year. “..It’s a challenge, and that’s why I think it’s such a wonderful thing that as early as possible to go to the Staten Island residents and say, ‘hey, we are open to hearing what you have to say, so send us all of your ideas.”
The Ducks return for a home stretch that commences tomorrow night. They will take on the Lancaster Barnstormers for three straight this weekend, immediately followed by another three-game set – against the South Maryland Blue Crabs – Monday 9/6 through Wednesday 9/8.
LI Ducks and ALPB
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), a Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball, and are set to play 2021 home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark (the former Bethpage Ballpark).
For more information on the team, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit the official website at www.liducks.com. With teams throughout the Mid[1]Atlantic, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 1,000 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 42 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 24-year history. For more about the ALPB, fans can check out www.AtlanticLeague.com.
