History of Long Island Ducks in Timeline

The Long Island Ducks are a professional minor league baseball team located in Central Islip, New York. Established in 2000, they compete in the North Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), an independent league affiliated with Major League Baseball. Their home games are played at Fairfield Properties Ballpark. The team's name pays homage to Long Island's duck-farming history and a former ice hockey team of the same name. Bud Harrelson, a former major league player, served as the team's first manager and part-owner.

1999: Ballpark Name

In 1999, the Long Island Ducks' home ballpark was known as Suffolk County Sports Park.

March 18, 2000: Mascot Debut

On March 18, 2000, QuackerJack, the anthropomorphic duck mascot of the Long Island Ducks, debuted.

2000: Inaugural Season and Ballpark

In 2000, The Long Island Ducks played their first season in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. The team's home ballpark was EAB Park from 2000 to 2001.

2000: Ducks Begin Play

In 2000, the Long Island Ducks began play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

2001: Ballpark Name

In 2001, the Long Island Ducks' home ballpark was known as EAB Park.

2002: Ballpark Name

From 2002 to 2009, the Long Island Ducks' home ballpark was known as Citibank Park.

2007: Team Owner's Satisfaction

In 2007, team owner Frank Boulton expressed his contentment with the Long Island Ducks, calling it the best thing he's ever done in baseball, in Baseball America publication.

2009: Ferry Cup Rivalry

From 2009 until 2017, a rivalry developed between the Long Island Ducks and the Bridgeport Bluefish, with the two teams contesting the "Ferry Cup."

2009: Gary Carter Manages the Ducks

In 2009, Baseball Hall of Famer Gary Carter managed the Long Island Ducks.

2009: Ballpark Name

In 2009, the Long Island Ducks' home ballpark was known as Citibank Park.

2010: Ballpark Name Change

In 2010, the Long Island Ducks' home ballpark was known as Bethpage Ballpark, changing from Suffolk County Sports Park earlier in the year.

2012: Season Dedicated to Gary Carter

Following Gary Carter's death in 2012, the Long Island Ducks dedicated the season to his memory and wore a commemorative patch on their uniforms.

2015: Rich Hill Plays with the Ducks

In 2015, Rich Hill played with the Long Island Ducks before returning to the majors in 2016.

2015: Official On-Field Headwear

Since 2015, OC Sports has been the official on-field headwear provider for the Atlantic League including the Long Island Ducks.

2016: Rich Hill Returns to Majors

After playing with the Long Island Ducks in 2015, Rich Hill returned to the majors in 2016 with the Boston Red Sox.

2017: Players Join MLB Organizations

In 2017, pitcher Éric Gagné attempted a professional baseball comeback with the Long Island Ducks. Also that year, Nate Freiman, Henderson Alvarez, Quintin Berry, and Tim Melville played with the Ducks and later joined an MLB organization or foreign professional league.

2017: End of Ferry Cup

In 2017, the Ferry Cup rivalry between the Long Island Ducks and the Bridgeport Bluefish ended when Bridgeport folded.

2019: Fourth Championship

From 2000 to 2019, the Long Island Ducks won four Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) championships.

2020: Ballpark Name Change

In 2020, Bethpage Ballpark was renamed Fairfield Properties Ballpark, the current name of the Long Island Ducks' home field.

June 17, 2023: Winningest Team in Atlantic League History

On June 17, 2023, the Long Island Ducks became the winningest team in Atlantic League history, clinching their 1,581st win in a victory over the York Revolution.

2023: Broadcasting on FloSports

Since 2023, all Long Island Ducks games have been broadcast live on FloSports under the FloBaseball channel, the Atlantic League's media streaming rights partner.