Long Island Ducks 2019 Season Preview

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

2000   20th SEASON   2019

ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

2004    2012    2013

Congratulations to Buddy Harrelson, Michael Pfaff, and the entire Long Island Ducks organization as they embark on their 20th season of professional baseball.

The naysayers said it couldn't be done.  Carving out a niche in and around the Big Apple - much less establishing a new independent league within the tri-state area - sounds as improbable now as I remember it then.  Yet, two decades later here they are.  With the unfortunate demise of the Bridgeport Bluefish (after the 2017 season), the Somerset Patriots became the lone remaining member club of the original Atlantic League charter, thus elevating the Ducks to second most senior team in the circuit.

Michael Pfaff's Quacks are backed by a passionate fan base stretching from Bensonhurst (yours truly) to Montauk Point whom consistently pack the Pond.  The same can be said of the well entrenched Patriots and their stalwart New Jersey fan base.  Suffice it say the rivalry between the two teams goes under-spoken, but is nonetheless epic.  Somerset leads all clubs with six Atlantic League championships, but none since getting realigned out of the Freedom Division after the 2015 season and into the same division with Long Island.  In each of the last three seasons, the Ducks have gone on to pull off amazing feats of victory in the Liberty Division playoffs over Somerset.  The Ducks are three time Atlantic League champions, but not since winning back-to-back titles six and seven years ago.  Although they've qualified for the finals the last three years running, they've fallen short each time; twice to a formidable Sugar Land Skeeters team, and once against the York Revolution.

If that alone does not serve to motivate the current cast of Quacks to greater altitudes, then Wally Backman will.  The old Mets firebrand is back, and looking to ruffle Atlantic League competition.  The man I longed to have piloting the New York Mets enters his first season as manager of the Long Island Ducks.  I congratulate him, and I'm happy for him.  As a manager he's both wild and wile, and a freak for small ball and fundamentals.  Wally makes his position crystal clear.  He's tough, demanding, and expects you to study your craft.  But he's also straightforward, a good teacher, and exudes support for his guys.  Everywhere he's been, players respected him, even lauded him.  Authority figures, not so much.  But I am no man's judge.  That said I believe he possesses a brilliant baseball mind rivaling the great managers of not too long ago.  I welcome him into the Flock's fold with wings wide open.

Ed Lynch, is not only one of my favorite Met pitchers of the time, he is likewise one of the most under rated Mets of all-time ... and he's from Brooklyn!  He was a bright light through some dark years during the early 1980s at Shea Stadium.  I felt terrible for him upon learning in 1986 he had been traded mid-season to the Cubs.  He was an important pitcher during their early rise to prominence.  Lynch rejoins his former teammate Wally Backman serving as team pitching coach.

Long Island now enters what I'll call the post John Brownell era.  The organization's all-time record setting starting pitcher retired after last season.  There's also no more Francisco Rodriguez in the bullpen.  Gone too from this year's lineup are the bats of Emilio Bonifacio, Jordany Valdespin, Taylor Ard, and Travis Snider.  The popular Cody Puckett is likewise gone, as is crowd favorite and long time shortstop Dan Lyons.

LINKS:

• MLB/Atlantic League Rule Changes
• Rules Update: Mound Distance
• Long Island Ducks
• Atlantic League
• Stats Baseball Reference

PITCHING STAFF

Tim Adleman (RHP)

• The 31-year old native New Yorker from Staten Island marks his first season with the Ducks.  Tim was originally drafted in 2010 by the Orioles, then spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons pitching in the independent American Association, and CanAm League, respectively.  By 2014 he was back to playing affiliated ball with the Cincinnati Reds organization.  He has 43 games of major league experience including 33 starts over two seasons (2016-2017) with the Reds.

Tyler Badamo (RHP)

• Hailing from Mount Sinai, New York, the 26-year old was originally drafted in 2014 by the New York Mets.  He owns a 12-13 record with a 3.79 ERA during four seasons of affiliated ball in the Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks organizations.  Back for his first full season with the Ducks, Badamo spent parts of last season pitching for New Britain and Sugar Land before landing on Long Island, where he posted a 3-3 record with a 3.38 ERA through seven starts.

Jake Fisher (LHP)

• The 27-year old independent league veteran returns for his third season, and second full season with the Ducks.  Jake last year posted an 8-7 record with a 3.92 ERA with 107 strikeouts in 133.1 innings pitched.

Brett Marshall (RHP)

• After making three appearances last year, Marshall returns for his first full season on Long Island.  A Yankees farm product, he last played MiLB in 2016 for Tampa's double-A affiliate.  Before joining the Ducks, he pitched parts of last season for Sugar Land and Southern Maryland.  He posted a combined 6-9 record with a 4.56 ERA in 25 total starts, with 108 strikeouts in 132.1 innings pitched.

Tim Melville (RHP)

• After making nine starts in 2017 for the Ducks, Tim returns for a second campaign on Long Island.  He spent last season pitching for Baltimore's triple-A affiliate where he made 14 starts and 40 overall appearances.  The 29-year old owns a 4.67 ERA in 861.1 career minor league innings pitched. 

Jon Niese (LHP)

• The 32-year old southpaw needs no introduction.  Local fans know him very well.  He was a member of the 2015 National League champion Mets.  I suspect many Ducks/Mets fans will be flocking to Bethpage Ballpark throughout the upcoming season to watch him pitch - every pun intended.  Niese spent nine season pitching in Queens, compiling a 61-62 record and 3.99 ERA, with 838 strikeouts through 1,079.1 innings pitched.  He pitched his last MLB game in 2016 for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The upcoming season marks Jon Niese's return to baseball after a two year hiatus.

LHP Jon Niese becomes the first 2019 @LIDucks to have his contract purchased by an @MLB club - @Mariners have purchased & assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate. Congrats Jon!

— Michael Pfaff (@LIDucksGM) April 24, 2019

Bennett Parry (LHP)

• Now entering his second season with the Ducks, Parry spent five seasons in the Baltimore Orioles organization before moving on to Lincoln of the American Association for two seasons.  An Atlantic League all-start least season, he posted a 6-1 record with a 2.86 ERA in 14 starts, with 116 strikeouts in 85 innings pitched for a 12.3 K/9 average.

BULLPEN

Enrique Burgos (RHP)

• He spent ten seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization before moving on in 2017 to the Atlanta Braves triple-A affiliate.  He spent last year pitching in Mexico.  He owns a 6-4 record and 4.43 ERA through 91.1 innings at triple-A.  Burgos has 73 games of MLB experience (2015-2016), all in relief for Arizona with a 5.27 ERA and 10.8 K/9 average in 68.1 innings pitched.

Jose Cuas (RHP)

• The infielder turned relief pitcher is back for his second season with the Ducks.  The 24-year old appeared in 22 games last season all in relief, posting a 2.38 ERA, with a 6.4 H/9 and 6.9 K/9 average in 22.2 innings pitched.  Jose played for Grand Street High School in Brooklyn!  The Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the 11th round of the 2015 draft.

Darin Downs (LHP)

• The 34-year old southpaw previously pitched on Long Island in 2015 and 2016, and now returns for his third season with the Ducks.  He spent last season pitching in Mexico for Monterrey where he posted a 3.42 ERA in 26.1 innings pitched.  He owns a 4.03 ERA through 764.1 career minor league innings pitched.  Downs is a three year MLB veteran with a 4.76 ERA and 8.3 K/9 average in 90.2 career innings pitched.

Tucker Healy (RHP)

• The soon to be 29-year old owns a career 3.24 ERA, 1.242 WHiP, with a 7.5 H/9 average and 11.3 K/9 average in 319.2 career innings mostly spent in the Oakland A's organization.  He enters his first season on Long Island after making 20 appearances last year for Tacoma of the Pacific Coast League.  All of his 249 career appearances have come in relief.

Joe Iorio (RHP)

• The 27-year old Frontier League veteran of four seasons enters his first campaign with the Ducks.  He owns a career 3.95 ERA, 1.338 WHiP, and 10.2 K/9 average through 95.2 innings pitched.  He's coming off a breakout 2018 season, posting a 1.46 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 49.1 innings pitched, while allowing just 36 hits and seven walks for a 0.872 WHiP.

Vin Mazzaro (RHP)

• The first time Duck was originally selected by the Oakland A's in the third round of the 2005 draft.  A veteran of eight (2009-2016) MLB seasons, he owns a 24-23 career record and 4.79 ERA in 383 innings pitched.  Of his 140 career appearances, 95 have been in relief.  Last season he posted ten saves with a 1.76 ERA in 46 innings pitched for the New Jersey Jackals of the CanAm League.  He surrendered just 33 hits and 10 walks for a 0.935 WHiP, with 44 strikeouts for an 8.6 K/9 average.

Alex Katz (LHP)

• Another local born in Manhasset, New York, Alex attended St. John's University in Queens.  The 24-year old owns a 3.95 ERA in 200.1 career innings pitching in the White Sox and Orioles respective  systems.  Last season he struck out 47 batters in 44.1 innings pitching for single-A Delmarva.

BEHIND THE PLATE

Ramon Cabrera (C)

• At 29-years of age, Ramon returns for a second season on Long Island.  Last year he batted .268 in 84 games and 313 at-bats, with 21 doubles, three home runs, and 31 RBI.  Over a ten year MiLB career he's a career .282 hitter, with a 24% rate of caught stealing, and .991 fielding average.  Ramon played in 74 MLB games with the Cincinnati Reds.

Hector Sanchez (C)

• Now 29-years old, he spent last season playing for Sacramento of the Pacific Coast League.  Over the course of seven (2011-2017) seasons, he slashed .238/.273/.367, with 59 extra base hits and 120 RBI through 347 games and 783 at-bats, and owned a .992 FA, with a 25% rate of caught stealing as a major league catcher.  In 498 career MiLB games, he is a .286/.359/.449 career slasher with 52 home runs and 309 RBI in 1,700 at-bats.

Wagner Gomez (C, RP)

• Sometimes pitcher, sometimes catcher - who knows - Gomez is another man of many, if not enigmatic talents.  He enjoyed a brief cup of coffee late last year, and returns in search of a full season on Long Island.  But in what capacity remains to be seen.  He played two games last season in which he managed four at-bats, but also pitched and finished a game with one full inning of work.  His five year minor league career with the Reds organization ended after 2014, after which he remained unlisted for three seasons until joining the Ducks.

AROUND THE HORN

David Washington (1B)

• David last season was Long Island's main sources of power.  In 113 games and 399 at-bats, he hit 16 doubles, a team high 24 home runs, with 71 RBI, and eighteen stolen bases.  For the 28-year old, his prime athletic years lay dead ahead.

Vladimir Frias (2B, SS)

• Drafted by the Giants in 2008, Frias last participated in affiliated ball in 2017 with Arizona's double-A club.  Otherwise, the now 34-year old infielder spent the previous two seasons as a standout with the Lancaster Barnstormers.  Last year he slashed .282/.350/.411, with 24 extra base hits and 39 RBI in 287 at-bats.  He also stole 16 bases and was caught only twice.

Ivan De Jesus, Jr. (SS, 2B)

• It seems as if Ivan has been playing forever.  He was 18-years old in 2005 when he broke in with the Los Angeles Dodgers rookie league squad.  He is a career .302 hitter through eight season at triple-A; and a career .300 hitter in 13 overall MiLB seasons.  De Jesus is also a Winter League stalwart, and brings with him 228 games of major league experience.  He played last season for the triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.  The soon to be 32-year old enters his first season playing independent baseball.

Rando Moreno (SS, 2B)

• The soon to be 27-year old, spent last season playing for the San Rafael Pacifics of the independent Pacific Association, where he slashed .305/.356/.432, with 33 extra base hots, and 55 RBI through 80 games and 354 at-bats.  He scored 71 runs, and stole 25 bases while getting caught just once.  Prior to that, he spent seven seasons in the San Francisco Giants organization.

Steve Lombardozzi (3B, 2B)

• In six years of major league service, the 30-year old infielder slashed .260/.292/.333, with 43 extra base hits and 52 RBI in 291 games and 786 at-bats.  He spent last season playing for Nashville of the Pacific Coast League where he batted .243 with 19 extra base hits and 42 RBI over 120 games.  This season marks Steve's return to the Atlantic League.  He previously  played 40 games in 2016 for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs where he slashed .367/.401/.428, with nine extra base hits and 20 RBI in 166 at-bats.

Mike Olt (1B/3B)

• Hailing from New Haven, Connecticut, Mike attended spring training with the Minnesota Twins.  He spent the last two seasons in the Red Sox organization.  In 2017 he hit 23 doubles and 16 home runs, with 57 RBI in 392 at-bats for double-A Portland.  He has 135 games of MLB service.  While with the Cubs in 2014, he hit 12 home runs with 33 RBI in 225 at-bats.

OUTFIELD

Matt den Dekker (L/L)

• Another familiar face, Matt has 166 major league games of experience most popularly with the Mets, along with the Nationals and Tigers.  He owns an MLB slash of .223/.305/.337, with 27 extra base hits and 30 RBI through 368 big league at-bats.  In 811 games over a nine year minor league career, he slashed .271/.335/.447 with 86 home runs and 401 RBI.  Now 31-years old, he spent last season playing for Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League.

Daniel Fields (L/R)

• Back for his second season with the Ducks, Daniel last season slashed .267/.345/.425, with 21 doubles, nine home runs, 40 RBI, and 12 stolen bases through 96 games and 341 at-bats.  He spent the 2017 season playing for the now defunct Bridgeport Bluefish, for whom he slashed .297/.387/.486, with 12 home runs and 51 RBI in 85 games.  Originally drafted in 2009 by the Detroit Tigers, the 28-year old played his only ever MLB game in 2015, going 1 for 3, with a double.

Rey Fuentes (L/L)

• Drafted in the first round of the 2009 draft by the Boston Red Sox, Rey was later shipped to the San Diego Padres in 2010 as part of Boston's transaction to acquire first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.  Now 28-years old, he has exactly 100 games of MLB experience.  A perennial Winter League participant, he spent the last two seasons playing at Reno of the Pacific Coast League where last year he batted .265 in 2018 with 11 doubles, six home runs, and 39 RBI in 302 at-bats.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis (L/R)

• Long Island welcomes another former Mets outfielder, the California dreamer himself.  Since debuting for the Mets back in 2012, he remained active in major league baseball through the 2017 season.  He spent last season playing for Tacoma of the Pacific Coast League.  I caught my first glimpse of Kirk - like so many other Mets prospects - at Coney Island when he played for the Brooklyn Cyclones.  He enjoyed his best season in 2016 while with Milwaukee where he hit 18 doubles and 13 home runs, with 44 RBI in 335 at-bats.

Lew Ford (R/R) - player/coach

• The Texas born globetrotter returns to Long Island for his tenth season with the Ducks.  Before making the Pond his permanent residence, Lew played on baseball diamonds across America, as well as Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and across the Pacific in Japan.  Oh, the stories he can tell.  Now 42-years young, Ford is coming off one of his best seasons in which he slashed .293/.353/.432, with 33 doubles, ten home runs, and 73 RBI in 123 games and 468 at-bats.  The trick was staying healthy after nagging injuries compromised both his 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Ducks: Spring Training Invitees

Long Island's season kicks off on the road against the Revolution at York, Pennsylvania on Friday.  Their home opener at Bethpage Ballpark is scheduled for the following Friday, May 3, in a return series against the Revolution.  The Ducks also have a new member club joining the Liberty Division.  The High Point Rockers hailing out of North Carolina are now open for business.  They replace the defunct Bridgeport Bluefish.  The Sugar Land Skeeters are defending Atlantic League champions.  They've won in two of the last three years, defeating the Long Island Ducks each time.

Long Island Ducks 2018 Season Preview

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS BASEBALL CLUB

Atlantic League Champions

2004     2012     2013

Long Island Ducks Set Sights on Elusive Fourth Atlantic League Title.

Bittersweet is the only way to describe Long Island's last two seasons.  The defending back-to-back Liberty Division champs were swept in the 2016 Atlantic League finals by the Sugar Land Skeeters, then suffered the same fate against the York Revolution last season.

Motivation will surely be in abundant supply this season as the Ducks attempt to break on through and capture their first title in five years.

There's certainly no shortage of confidence on behalf of the organization as Friday's season opener draws near. Newsday's Jordan Lauterbach quotes Ducks president and general manager Michael Pfaff saying, "I think this team is as strong a team as we've had on Opening Day at any point in our history.  I think we're better than we were last year."

That being said, let the games begin!

RETURNING PITCHERS

• John Brownell; Jake Fisher; Dennis O'Grady; Jake Dunning; Tyler Levine; Rob Rogers; Matt Marsh; Matt Larkins.

Add pitching coach to John Brownell's resume.  The Ducks soon to be 35-year old ace since 2013 enters his seventh year with the Ducks.  This will be his first season serving in a player/coach capacity.  Brownell has averaged 26 starts and eleven wins for Long Island over the last five seasons.  John finished last season with the league's third best ERA.

Matt Larkins returns for a second full season with the Flock.  He made 26 starts last season, posting a 9-7 record and 3.69 ERA over 156 innings, with an 8.0 K/9 and 2.4 W/9 averages.  He finished second in the Atlantic League last season in strikeouts, and fourth in ERA.

Southpaw Jake Fisher, 27, appeared in two games last season for the Ducks.  A product of the L.A. Dodgers organization, he owns a 4.04 ERA with 418 strikeouts in 485.1 innings during a four year independent league career.

NEW PITCHING ACQUISITIONS

• Max Almonte; Jason Creasy; Carlos Pimentel; Vinnie Pestano; Andrew Barbosa; Ashur Tolliver; Bennett Parry; Jair Jurrjens; Wander Perez.

Vinnie Pestano, 33, is a veteran relief pitcher of six major league seasons with the Indians and Angels.  He owns a 2.98 ERA in 202.2 innings pitched.  Pitching for the Bridgeport Bluefish last season he posted a 3.25 ERA over 27.2 innings pitched.  He has 143.1 innings of triple-A experience.

Jair Jurrgens, 32, comes to the Ducks with eight seasons of MLB experience, mostly with Atlanta.  An all-star in 2011, he owns a 3.72 career ERA over (MLB) 767.1 innings pitched.  He threw his last MLB pitch in 2014 while with the Colorado Rockies.  After missing all of 2016, he made ten starts last season for the Los Angeles Dodgers triple-A affiliate

Southpaw Ashur Tolliver, 30, pitched in eight MLB games.  A reliever by trade, he posted a 12-9 record and 3.49 ERA, with an 8.6 K/9 average in 329.2 minor league innings pitched.

Right-hander Max Almonte, 26, comes from the lower levels of the St. Louis Cardinals organization.  He owns a 3.09 ERA in 96 innings pitched through 61 appearances spread over three seasons.

Andrew Barbosa was in the Mets system for a time.  Usually a starter, he pitched in relief last season for Milwaukee's triple-A affiliate.  He owns a career 3.36 ERA through 589.1 (minor/winter league) innings pitched.

A potential starter for the Ducks, right-hander Jason Creasy comes over from the St. Paul Saints after spending six seasons in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

Right-hander Bennett Parry spent the last two seasons with Lincoln of the independent American Association for whom he made 17 starts and posted a 2.16 ERA over 96 innings pitched.

Keep an eye on southpaw reliever Wander Perez.  He also comes over from (now defunct) Bridgeport, where he posted a 1.71 ERA in 22 appearances and 21 innings pitched.  He allowed just 14 hits and fanned 25 batters, with 10.7 K/9 and 2.1 W/9 averages.

RETURNING POSITION PLAYERS

• Audie Afenir; Cody Puckett; Lew Ford; Dan Lyons. 

Catcher Audie Afenir, 26, is a product of the New York Yankees system.  He returns for a second season on Long Island.

NEW POSITION ACQUISITIONS

• Wilkin Castillo; Wagner Gomez; Jordany Valdespin; Alec Sole; David Washington; Travis Snider; Tyler Holt; Robert Garcia; Daniel Fields.

Local fans should be somewhat familiar with former Met infielder Jordany Valdespin albeit perhaps for more reason than just one ... or two.  He behaved somewhat obnoxiously (2012-2013) when he played in Queens.  Now 30-years old and coming off a rather productive season spent playing triple-A in Mexico and winter ball, he managed 86 total games with 333 at-bats in which he slashed .318/.402/.426, and posted 43 RBI.

Lefty-swinging outfielder Travis Snider brings his eight years of MLB experience to Bethpage Ballpark.  He was the Toronto Blue Jays first round selection (14th overall) of the 2006 draft.  After spending parts of five seasons with the Jays, he changed leagues when traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates.  He split time last season playing triple-A ball for both the Texas Rangers and New York Mets respective affiliates and posted a combined .296/.375/.432 slash, with ten home runs and 52 RBI in 476 at-bats.

Catcher Wilkin Castillo has 22 games of MLB experience with the Cincinnati Reds.  Now 33-years old, he spent last season in the New York Yankees system, and has ten years of triple-A experience.

Infielder Alec Sole is a local kid from Holbrook, N.Y.  He gained 27 games of triple-A experience while spending just four years in the Tampa Bay Rays system.

David Washington is a product of the St. Louis Cardinals, but comes to the Ducks via the Baltimore Orioles system.  He has exactly two games of MLB experience.  He's otherwise a nine year minor league veteran with 207 games at triple-A.

I don't know what to make of Wagner Gomez.  He was a catcher up until 2013 when the Reds organization began converting him into a relief pitcher, to mixed results I might add.

Outfielder Tyler Holt, 28, has four years of MLB experience.  A Cleveland Indians product, he comes to the Ducks via the Los Angeles Dodgers.  In 168 games at the triple-A level, Holt slashed .298/.390/.372 but with just a pair of home runs and 44 RBI.

Yet another player acquired via the Bridgeport Bluefish dispersal draft, I'd keep my eye on outfielder Daniel Fields as well.  In just 85 games and 296 at-bats, Daniel slashed .297/.387/.486, with twelve home runs and 51 RBI.


Extra Innings

Long Island begins the season on the road.  They open against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, then move on to Somerset where they'll take on the rival Patriots.  Homecoming for the Ducks is scheduled for May 4 against Southern Maryland.

The Ducks will host Bud Harrelson Appreciation Night on August 3, 2018 at Bethpage Ballpark.

With the Bridgeport Bluefish closed for business, the Somerset Patriots are now the lone remaining Atlantic League charter member still in operation.  Entering their 19th year of existence, the Long Island Ducks are now the second oldest operating team in the Atlantic League.

In lieu of the Bridgeport Bluefish, this season will see the return to the field of the Road Warriors.

Wally Backman begins his first season managing the New Britain Bees.

L.I. Ducks: Flock Waddles Over Somerset Patriots in Series Opener

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Flock at the Gates!

Ducks lead Patriots 1-0

I - LID 9; SOM 3

II - Saturday @SOM

III - Sunday  @SOM

Long Island Ducks: Extra! News from the front ... Flock overwhelm first place Patriots in Friday night's series opener at Somerset.

On this night, Long Island's six-run third inning outburst and a dominant starting performance on the mound proved too much for the Liberty Division leaders.

This was only the Ducks second victory (2-6) over the Patriots this season, and their first at Somerset. I guess timing is indeed everything then, as Long Island's 9-3 win brings them to within 1 1/2 games of first place entering Saturday's action.

Starter Darin Downs climbed the hill against Somerset's Mickey Storey.  While the usually reliable Mickey Storey continues struggling for the Patriots this season, Downs is officially on a roll.  Darin improved his record to 3-1, and lowered his ERA from 3.25 down to a 3.02 mark.  He faced 30 batters, allowed a pair of earned runs on five hits and no walks, and fanned 11 batters.  It was his third straight winning decision, and comes on the heels of a seven inning, eight strikeout performance on May 14 against Southern Maryland.

• Ducks pitchers have faced the second least batters this season, but lead the Atlantic League in strikeouts.  Ducks pitching also leads with a league low .231 average against.

Offensively, Cody Puckett and Matt Blanke combined to go 6 for 10 at the plate, and registered eight RBI, with four each.  Five Ducks batters posted multiple hit games.  Lew Ford accounted for the ninth Ducks run with a 2 for 5 effort and RBI.

• The Ducks have now scored nine runs in each of their last two games.  Somerset first, followed by Long Island, are the top two scoring teams in the league.  They both have hit 17 team home runs.  Somerset's .748 team OPS leads the circuit, however, while the Ducks .723 mark ranks fifth.

After starting the season 13-0, the Patriots have gone 6-10 since, and are 4-6 over their last ten games.  After starting the season 1-6, the Ducks have gone 16-5 since.

Obviously, the trick for Long Island would be to strike while Somerset is down by winning this weekend series, or even sweeping it, because they will not face them again over the remainder of the first half of the season.

That will leave the Ducks and Patriots scrambling to outpace each other against the remaining competition.


Michael Pfaff's latest acquisitions forcing Coach Baez into reshuffling infield deck.

Recently signed, and former Met, Ruben Gotay went 0 for 5 Friday, with two strikeouts.  This, however, was the first time he failed to hit safely as a member of the Ducks.  He went 7 for 15 during Long Island's four game split against the Sugar Land Skeeters previous to Friday, and is now batting an even .300 since arriving.

Gotay was apparently brought in to solidify second base along with Matt Wessinger.  But, wasn't that accomplished by signing Tyler Colvin, which allowed Sean Burroughs to shift over to third, and thereby allow Cody Puckett to play second?

Well ... Colvin started Friday's game in left field, Burroughs was back at first, Puckett played third, while Lew Ford DH'd.  That came after Cody Puckett DH's twice against Sugar Land.  Coach Baez is clearly spelling positional players with turns at DH, but Colvin playing outfield is not something I'd   entertain too often.  Then again, Anthony Vega's play of late seems to support Coach Baez's decision to pencil in Colvin for occasional spot starts in the outfield.  In fact, I'd be willing to bet Michael Pfaff is searching for Vega's replacement at this very moment.

In the meantime, the GM has afforded Baez a few options.  We'll see how Coach continues utilizing them.

L.I. Ducks Acquire Nate Freiman; Win Third Straight over Blue Crabs

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Break up the Ducks..!

They've won three straight games;

will attempt a series sweep over Southern Maryland 

on Sunday.

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Michael Pfaff wisely polishes the infield diamond alignment.

A little home cooking has seemingly turned things around for Long Island, who've won three of the first four games in their Opening Day weekend series against the Blue Crabs.  They'll put their mini winning streak on the line Sunday when Bruce Kern climbs the hill opposing former Ducks pitcher Shaun Garcaeu.

After starting the season 0-4, Saturday's 5-4 victory allowed the Ducks to complete the month of April with a 4-6 record.  On that note, the Somerset Patriots remain undefeated with a 10-0 record.

Saturday, newly signed first baseman Nate Freiman made his Ducks debut against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.  He batted in the clean-up spot Saturday, going 1 for 4, with a run scored, and 3 strikeouts.

Freiman brings two years of MLB experience playing for the Oakland A's, where he combined to play in 116 games.  In 277 at-bats, he slashed .256/.309/.448, with 13 doubles, 9 home runs, and 39 RBI.

Nate is otherwise a seven year minor league vet.  He totaled 613 at-bats over parts of three AAA seasons, slashing .250/.322/.413, with 37 doubles, 19 home runs, and 106 RBI.

The transaction allowed Coach Baez to shift Sean Burroughs, who started the season at first base, back to his natural position of third.  That in tuns allows Cody Puckett to likewise shift and solidify second base.

Blake Barber started the season at second base, but was released to make room for Freiman.  Utility infielder Matt Wessinger will continue playing off the bench.

Sunday's game 

was rained out.

L.I. Ducks: Talkin' Quack ~ 2016 Season Preview

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ATLANTIC  LEAGUE

CHAMPIONS

2004      2012      2013

2015 

Overall Record

80-59

The Long Island Ducks 17th Season is Underway...

We left off with the Somerset Patriots eliminating the Long Island Ducks from last year's Atlantic League playoffs.

The two wasted little time resuming their rivalry, opening the 2016 regular season with a four game weekend series at TD Bank Ballpark.

The season's first call to Play Ball was made Thursday, featuring Ducks ace John Brownell versus the quite familiar Patriots starter Mickey Storey.  The game remained tied at three through six innings of play, earning both starting pitchers a no decision.

The Patriots charged ahead with a five run outburst in the 7th, and added another in the 8th, giving Somerset a final 9-3 margin of victory.

Ducks off to an 0-2 start

Darin Downs climbed the hill for the Ducks Friday evening in Game Two, and was opposed by Somerset's Jeremy Horst.  Despite a solid effort from Downs, the Patriots claimed a 5-2 victory over the Ducks.

There are still a pair of games remaining in order for the Ducks to gain a series split.

Yes, that's concern you sense ... it's never too early.

And with that, the 2016 Atlantic League regular season is underway.

Long Island Ducks 2016 Season Preview

LIDucks.com

General manager Michael Pfaff enters the 2016 regular season with a roster not unlike last year's edition.

Of the positional players, second base is the lone unknown.  The other positional starters are either returning for a second season with the Ducks, or are more established Long Island veterans.

Player/coach Lew Ford's swan song is now in its 7th season!  At 39-years of age, he's either aging like a fine wine or drinking from the fountain of youth - your choice.  In 2014, Lew batted .347 in 544 at-bats, and last season batted .364 in 297 at-bats.  In 1,598 overall at-bats as a member of the Flock, Lew Ford has 547 hits for a .342 batting average.

If the Ducks were to ever consider naming a team captain, long time shortstop Dan Lyons surely would be the easy choice.  In 2015, he established career highs in several offensive categories, most notably his .462 slugging average, and his first ever .300 season average.

Long Island's offense will ultimately be characterized by the sum of its parts.  I'm not sure where they'll draw their power from.  Dan Lyons, Cody Puckett, Fehlandt Lentini, Delta Cleary Jr., and others ideally will combine to make this a fairly balanced line-up (...Kansas City Royals style).

The ace of the staff is still John Brownell, but the ranks are thinning.  After Bobby Blevins, the starting rotation is riddled with question marks.

Meanwhile, the names in the bullpen seemingly grow stranger by the season.  Manager Kevin Baez needs at least three relievers from among this new pack of virtual unknowns to emerge, and help him establish some sort of bullpen semblance.  Presently, all roles appear available.  Inquire within.

Starting Pitchers

Returning Pitchers: John Brownell, Bobby Blevins, Darin Downs

• Southpaw Jack Snodgrass, 28, comes to Long Island via the San Francisco Giants organization.  He spent most of the last three seasons pitching at the AA level.  In 112 minor league appearances he made 88 career starts, with a 42-24 record, 4.00 ERA, and a 1.332 WHiP in 538.1 combined innings pitched.

• Right-hander Nick Struck is entering his second season with the Ducks.  Last season he made 50 relief appearances, but over his minor league career Nick made 118 starts in 134 appearances.  The Ducks utilized him in relief again Friday evening against the Somerset Patriots.

Bullpen

Returning Pitchers: Patrick Crider, Bruce Kern, Frank DeJiulio Jr., Amalio Diaz

• Right-hander Kevin Vance is 25-years young.  He spent five years in the Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks organizations.  Last year marked his first touch at the AAA level.   Primarily used as a reliever, he owns a 3.81 ERA and 1.301 WHiP over 328.1 minor league innings pitched.

• Right-hander Dan Blewett, 30, is a career independent league pitcher.  From 2010 through 2012 he was a starter, but after missing all of the 2013 season he returned as a reliever in 2014 with Camden.   In two seasons, 89 appearances, and 121.1 innings pitched for the Riversharks, he posted a combined 3.12 ERA, with 120 strikeouts, 40 walks, and 108 total hits allowed.

• Right-hander James Lomangino, 24-years young, is a Long Island native and St. John's University alumni.  His career is still ahead of him.  He has but two brief years of experience to speak of while in the Colorado Rockies system.  He made 15 appearances playing Rookie ball in 2014, and 39 appearances in the South Atlantic League (A) last year.

• Right-hander Todd Coffey last pitched in the majors in 2012 for the Los Angeles Dodgers.   He's an eight year MLB veteran (2005-2012) whom posted a career 25-18 record with 11 saves, a 4.10 ERA, and a 6.8 K/9 and 2.8 W/9 average in 438.2 innings pitched.  He spent last year with the Seattle Mariners AAA affiliate, where he posted a nifty 1.93 ERA, with an 8.2 K/9 average in 37.1 innings pitched.

• Southpaw Jarrett Casey, 28, spent six minor league seasons in the White Sox organization with 48 appearances at the AAA level.  He totaled 160 minor league appearances, with a 4.18 ERA and a 1.363 WHiP in 383.2 total innings pitched.

• Southpaw Eury De La Rosa, 26, is an eight year minor league, and foreign league veteran.  He pitched in parts of two seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2012 and 2013, where he registered 44 appearances, 51.1 innings pitched, and an 8.4 K/9 average.

Behind the Dish

• Matt Blanke is entering his second season with the Flock.  In 92 games and 326 at-bats last season, he slashed .282/.337/.411, with 15 doubles, 9 home runs, and 43 RBI.

• Mike Dowd, 25, is a five year veteran of the Seattle Mariners system where he elevated to AA. He boasts a stellar defensive reputation and possesses an above average throwing arm.

Around the Diamond

• First baseman Sean Burroughs was acquired mid-season last year from the Bridgeport Bluefish. Don't look to him for power, but have fun watching him hit nonetheless.  In 53 games and 190 at-bats with Bridgeport, he batted .321 last season.  In 37 games and 145 at-bats with the Ducks, he batted .366 with a .422 OBP.

• If Long Island's opening game against Somerset was an indication, then Blake Barber, 26, appears to be this year's starting second baseman.  He spent the last four seasons primarily in the lower levels of the Miami Marlins organization.  He owns a .268 career average over 962 minor league at-bats.

• Another native New Yorker, and St. John's alum, infielder Matt Wessinger, 25, spent last season with Bridgeport, and will likely compete for the second base job, but is more likely to play off the bench.

• Rock steady Dan Lyons is back for his sixth season with the Ducks.  He is coming off a career season, in which he hit 28 doubles, 11 home runs, drove in 73 runs, and batted .301 in 465 at-bats.

• Entering his third season with the Ducks, Cody Puckett will man third base.  He's a combined .286 hitter during his previous two seasons with Long Island, averaging 20 doubles, 9 home runs, and 65 RBI.

The Outfield

• From left to right, continuity rules the day.  Delta Cleary Jr. is back to play left; the indefatigable Lew Ford will be in center; and Fehlandt Lentini, 38, will return in right.

• Blake Tekotte will DH and come off the bench.  He spent the previous four seasons shuffling back and forth between the majors and AAA, accumulating 50 games of MLB experience along the way.

• Anthony Vega, 25, is a product of the Baltimore Orioles system.  He came to the Ducks last season via the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.  He will provide speed and defense off the bench.

Last word: All hail Buddy Harrelson!

L.I. Ducks: Somerset Pitching Subdues Flock; Patriots Gain Trip to Finals

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

GATE CLOSED

Patriots Lock Out Ducks

Patriots win Liberty Division Playoff Series over Ducks 3-2

I - SOM 5; LID 3

II - LID 5; SOM 4

III - LID 9; SOM 4

IV - SOM 4; LID 0

V - SOM 4; LID 0

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Flock yield the high ground; Offense falls silent as team gets whitewashed in consective games; Staff ace John Brownell ineffective in both series starts.

Somerset Patriots will face Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 

in Atlantic League championship series.

A scan over the regular season stats suggested Long Island entered the recently concluded Liberty Division playoff with a distinct offensive edge over the Patriots.  Meanwhile, Somerset's pitching rated first in the league, only slightly above that of Long Island's.

Based on that, one could argue games One through Three played out somewhat accordingly.

The Ducks and Patriots split the opening games at Bethpage Ballpark.  Long Island then gained the high ground with victory in Game Three at Somerset.

They outscored the Patriots by a 17-13 margin to that point, improved their overall season record at TD Bank Ballpark to 8-4, and afforded themselves two opportunities with which to win one game.   Moreover, their ace would be available to pitch on regular rest in the event of a decisive Game Five.
That said, the Ducks appeared supremely poised to eliminate their division rival and advance towards the finals.  Or, so it seemed...

Regrettably for Ducks fans, they fanned at the finish.  Like thieves in the night, Long Island's offense went missing, again.  Their demise was akin to the events of 2011, when after steamrolling the regular season competition with the league's most potent offense, the Ducks' offense suddenly and inexplicably short-circuited during the championship series against York.

But with regards to this now concluded series, baseball's time tested adage held true, in that good pitching stops good hitting.  In the end, Somerset's top rated pitching staff overcame Long Island's top rated offense.

For Patriots fans, their games Four and Five starters were particularly marvelous sights to behold.

In Game Four, starter Will Oliver silenced Ducks bats with a 3-hit complete game shutout.  He faced 30 batters, retired the side in order in 6 of 9 innings pitched, walked one and struck out a pair.  He threw 118 pitches with 80 (67%) going for strikes.

In the decisive Game Five, John Brownell faced off against Somerset's Roy Merritt in a rematch of the series opener.

Merritt was solid in Game One, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) over 6 innings pitched to earn the decision over John Brownell.  In Sunday's clincher, Merritt matched stable mate Will Oliver's effort with his own 4-hit complete game shutout.  He faced 29 batters, walked 1, fanned 3, totaled 111 pitches with 73 going for strikes, and above all, claimed yet another decision over Brownell.

That said, the Patriots had their way with Long Island's ace, again.

In Game One, Somerset scored 5 times off Brownell with 7 hits and 2 walks over 6 innings.  He faced 26 batters, struck out 2, and threw 102 pitches with 66 (64%) going for strikes.  On Sunday, Somerset scored another 4 earned runs on 9 hits and a walk off Brownell, this time in just 4.2 innings pitched.

Less forgiving Ducks fans might point at John Brownell's ineffectiveness as the main reason why their season ended in Somerset.  After all, their ace did not perform like one, and I believe there is something to that.  Teams need their best players to perform when the stakes are high.  In two starts, however, John Brownell rolled craps.

More forgiving fans might factor the amount of talent lost to other leagues and affiliated baseball, compromised season and an untimely exit from the post-season.

After missing the playoffs last season, I think GM Michael Pfaff did an exception job getting the Ducks back in title contention.   They posted the league's second best record, and surpassed 80 victories for only the second time in their history.  With the inordinate number of roster raids that took place this season, they just missed it this year, by "that" much.

*  *  ATLANTIC LEAGUE  *  *

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME ONE

Liberty Division Champion

Somerset Patriots

vs.

Freedom Division Champion

Southern Maryland

Blue Crabs

This will be the Somerset Patriots 10th championship series appearance in their 18 year history.   They've captured 5 league titles, with their last two coming in back-to-back fashion during the 2008-2009 seasons.

Southern Maryland lost their lone championship appearance back in 2009 to Somerset.  They're back in the playoffs after a one year absence.

Long Island Ducks Playoff Preview: Showdown Versus Somerset

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Atlantic League Playoffs: The Final Four

Back on September 15th, Long Island toppled the Revolution in York, while the Patriots overran the Bluefish at Harbor Yard.  The combination earned the Ducks their 10th playoff berth in the last 12 years.

The Somerset Patriots, meanwhile, posted an Atlantic League best 89-50 overall record this season, bulldozing their way to both first and second half Liberty Division flags.

The Patriots and Ducks were the only teams to post 80-wins or better this season, as Long Island went 80-59 to qualify for this year's Wild Card.

The Pond will host the first two games of this long simmering Liberty Division feud, after which the series will come to a head in Somerset for Games Three through Five, if necessary.

Lancaster Barnstormers Poised to Defend Title

After a poor first half, the Lancaster Barnstormers rolled to a second half title, thus earning the right to defend their crown.  They closed out the season with a 7-game winning streak and won 8 of their last 10 games.

They'll host the first half champ Southern Maryland Blue Crabs for Games One and Two of the Freedom Division semi-final series.  The Blue Crabs will then host Games Three through Five, if necessary.

Long Island Ducks Playoff Preview

LIBERTY DIVISION PLAYOFF

GAME ONE

Somerset Patriots

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

THE POND

LONG ISLAND WON SEASON SERIES 

OVER SOMERSET 10-7

ICYMI:
Long Island Ducks Season Preview: Championship Series or Bust

The entrance gates at Bethpage Ballpark were locked early last year - certainly earlier than Long Island fans had grown to expect.  Autumn instead ushered in a sense of loss, as the Flock failed to qualify for post-season play in 2014, and thus surrendered the right to defend their Atlantic League crown.

Previous to that, the Ducks appeared in three straight championship series, while winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013, marking their second and third Atlantic League championships in the organization's history.

• After failing to make the playoffs during their first four years of existence, the Flock lifted their first trophy back in 2004.

General manager Michael Pfaff now has The Flock back in position to win a fourth. He joined old reliable veterans and crowd favorites with fresh new faces whom together produced the league's second best record.  It required mining new talent the old fashioned way, however, panning and sifting for bits of gold in places where the competition was not.

So make no mistake, getting the Ducks in this position was no easy task.  Division realignment forcing the Patriots to join the Liberty Division two years ago made sure of that, while roster picking exemplified by Lew Ford's brief departure to Mexico only compounded Long Island's troubles.  On that note, Coach Baez deserves credit for keeping his team together in the face of losing their top producers.

Those factors, however, only held some sway with regards to Long Island's own general missteps along the way.  As the first half wound down, a poor showing during an extended series in Sugar Land rendered Long Island's end of half series finale against the first place Patriots an inconsequential matter.

The Ducks then followed up with a sub-par 34-35 second half record, finishing 5 games back of Somerset.

Moreover, they went on to lose their last 5 games of the regular season since clinching a spot in this year's tournament, which includes getting swept by the defending champion Lancaster Barnstormers in the season series finale.

The Patriots didn't exactly end their season on a great note either.  They dropped their final two games, and went 6-4 in their last 10 games.

OFFENSE COMPARISON/Atlantic League Rank:

• Hits - Ducks #1 vs. Patriots #6
• Runs Scored - Ducks #1 vs. Patriots #2
• Team Average - Ducks #1 vs. Patriots #7
• Doubles - Patriots #1 vs. Ducks #2
• Home Runs - Ducks #4 vs. Patriots #5
• Total Bases - Ducks #1 vs. Patriots #5
• OPS - Ducks #1 vs. Patriots #5

With Lew Ford having spent time in Mexico, and Jon Griffin on the disabled list since August 19, veteran shortstop Dan Lyons wound up leading the team with 11 home runs and 73 RBI.  Lew Ford ended with 63 RBI, despite being a triple crown threat upon his departure.

Sean Burroughs played 37 games for the Ducks and batted a robust .366 in 145 at-bats since being acquired from Bridgeport. His combined .340 batting average led the league.  Lew Ford otherwise led the team with an non-qualifying .364 average.

Somerset's lefty swinging Michael Burgess leads either team with 15 regular season home runs, and  drove in 59 runs. Team mate David Vidal led the team with 63 RBI and clubbed 12 home runs.  And Thomas Neal led the team with a .290 average.

PITCHING COMPARISON/Atlantic League Rank:

• ERA - Patriots #1 vs. Ducks #3
• Average Against - Patriots #1 vs. Ducks #2
• WHiP - Patriots #1 vs. Ducks #2
• Least Hits Allowed - Patriots #1 vs. Ducks #2
• Strikeouts - Ducks #1 vs. Patriots #7
• Least Walks - Patriots #2 vs. Ducks #7
• Saves - Ducks #1 vs. Patriots #2

Starter John Brownell tied for league lead with 12 victories, and led the circuit with 146 strikeouts in 175.2 innings pitched.  Ian Marshall's season waned, finishing 7-7 with a 4.38 ERA over 143.2 innings pitched, with 92 strikeouts.  August acquisition Billy Buckner went 8-3 with an even 4.00 ERA over 69.2 innings pitched, with 73 strikeouts.

Despite top pitcher Sean Bierman getting picked off the roster back in July, Somerset is still well armed.  Matt Zielinski went 8-4 with a 2.86 ERA.  Mickey Storey tied John Brownell with 12 victories, and posted a 2.53 ERA over 106.2 innings pitched, and lefty starter Ray Merritt, a late August acquisition from the Sugar Land Skeeters, boasts a 2.88 ERA.

Long Island Ryan Kussmaul finished the season third in the league with 28 saves and a 3.42 ERA.   Amalio Diaz kicked in with 14 saves and a 2.77 ERA.  Patriots closer and former Duck, Jon Hunton finished second in the circuit with 32 saves, and posted a 3.09 ERA.

Let the games begin!

Go Ducks.

L.I. Ducks: The Monday Swim - 7/27/2015

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

On Troubled Pond...

Long Island Ducks: Flock has yet to recover from disastrous trip to Sugar Land.

For the beaten and battered Ducks, there's perhaps been no more timely, and needed break in the   schedule than today's.

The Ducks have gone 7-10 since play resumed after the Atlantic League All-Star break, and are fresh off getting swept by the Bluefish in Bridgeport.

Looking back, their problems seemingly started during their June trip to Sugar Land, where the Skeeters short circuited Long Island's first half pennant bid by taking 5 of 6 games, dropping the Ducks hopelessly behind the eventual first half champ Somerset Patriots.

Professional baseball circuits from within, and outside America's borders then began pecking away at GM Michael Pfaff's roster.  The departures of Lew Ford, Reegie Corona, Mickey Jannis, and Andrew Barbosa are just a few that Long Island has endured this month.

The present standings are a clear reflection of their plight.  Long Island is 3 games below ,500, and they trail the 1st place Bridgeport Bluefish by 6 games in the Liberty Division standings.

All that said, there's still good news to report.

The Ducks began the second half leading the Wild Card standings by 10 games over the Sugar Land Skeeters, whom also have gotten off to a 7-10 second half start, and lost their last 4 in a row.  Long Island's 10 game lead, then, has remained in tact.

• Don't look now, but Jon Griffin is tied for the league lead in home runs, and is within 4 RBI of taking over the league lead from the departed Lew Ford.  With Ford out of the circuit, Griffin is the lone Atlantic League player with 50+ RBI.

The Ducks open a 7-game home stand on Tuesday against the Somerset Patriots and the Bridgeport Bluefish.

Mike

L.I. Ducks: Flock Loses Another Huge Feather

From the deck of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Getting Plucked

Long Island Ducks: Shuffling off to....Mexico?

Aye caramba!

Lew Ford is gone, left, adios.  He's off to go play south of the border - sold to Tijuana of the Mexican League.

General manager Michael Pfaff, however, expressed hope, confidence even, that Ford can return to the Ducks (for as long as Donald Trump does not become President, and...) once the Mexican summer league concludes their season in August.

• The better known Mexican Pacific League is part of the Caribbean Winter League circuit.

The Ducks will be hard pressed to replace what was the Atlantic League's leading MVP candidate. Lew Ford topped the Atlantic League with a .363 average and 58 RBI.

Ford's departure is somewhat reminiscent of starting ace pitcher Mike Parisi's departure to Japan a few years back, as both left the country.

This also follows a major blow suffered by the starting rotation when their top pitcher, Mickey Jannis, whom led the league in ERA and strikeouts, had his contract sold to the New York Mets.

The mid-season acquisition J.C Romero and the return of Bobby Blevins may soften the blow of losing Jannis, if only somewhat.

That said, GM Michael Pfaff went after more pitching.

Southpaw pitcher Darin Downs, 30, will make his Ducks debut on Saturday against Lancaster.  He has three years of MLB experience, spending 2012-2013 with Detroit, and last season with Houston.   In 92 major league games and 90.2 innings pitched, all in relief, he owns a  4.76 ERA with an 8.1 K/9 average.   Otherwise, Darin is a 13-year minor league veteran of affiliated baseball.  In 296 appearances (90 starts) he owns a 4.05 ERA over 378 innings pitched, with a career 8.5 K/9 average.

The Ducks also signed lefty pitcher Donnie Veal, whom was released by the Atlanta Braves.  In 105 MLB appearances, all in relief, he owns a 5.48 ERA over 69 innings pitched, with 73 strikeouts.

The Ducks also took a flyer on 1B, OF, DH, Steve McQuail, whom played in the Frontier League, and has affiliated experience with the Arizona D-Backs.  During 2012-2013 while in the Frontier League, he averaged 304 at-bats, 20 home runs and 57 RBI.

The Wild Times:

The departures of Mickey Jannis and Lew Ford mean the Ducks' 2nd half just got a little more Wild.

Despite the Ducks loss to the Lancaster Barnstormers Monday night, Long Island gained a 1/2 game over the Sugar Land Skeeters.  They now lead the Wild Card race by 10.5 games.  Defending Atlantic League champ, Lancaster, is a distant third, 17.5 games out of the Wild Card.




Mike

L.I. Ducks: First Half Hopes Derailed in Sugar Land

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

First Half Final

46-23  .667

2nd place

Long Island Ducks: Sugar Land Skeeters intercept Flock's migration towards a potential first half title; Ducks drop 5 of 6 in Texas rendering anticipated showdown against Somerset Patriots meaningless.

July 8, 2015, Wednesday - Atlantic League All-Star Game

What more could they have done?

The Ducks posted two 10-game winning streaks in June, en route to the finest first half in their organization's history, yet, are left lamenting their costly slip against the Sugar Land Skeeters, and the resulting failure of not capturing a 1st half flag.

The Ducks started June five games out of 1st place.  They won their first 10 games of the month, then after losing a series opener to the Bluefish, proceeded to win another 10 in a row, right up until their dreadful encounter with the Skeeters.

The Ducks lost 5 of 6 games in Sugar Land.  Meanwhile, the Patriots continued playing relentless baseball.

Long Island then swept 4 games from Lancaster, and took 2 of 3 from the Patriots to end the first half.  As it turned out, the Ducks finished second in the Liberty Division, 3.5 games back of the Somerset Patriots.

What could have been....?

Not much else to say, really.

Only thing left is to give credit where due - the Somerset Patriots played phenomenal baseball over the season's 1st half.  They posted their own 10-game win streak in June en route to setting an Atlantic League record 50-20 first half mark.

If Ducks fans really want to ruffle their own feathers, they should additionally blame the league's division realignment..., again.  Had things stayed they way they were, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs would have finished 4-games back of the Ducks.  Instead, the Blue Crabs captured the Freedom Division 1st half flag.

Seems like everyone is benefiting except Long Island, hmm?

It gets worse..., in a manner of speaking.

The Long Island Ducks will start the second half of the season without what was the Atlantic League's pitching triple crown contender, Mickey Jannis.  The knuckler's contract was purchased by the New York Mets on July 1st.  Upon his departure, he was leading the league with 67 strikeouts and a 1.18 ERA, and was third in the circuit with 6 victories against just 2 losses.

Good luck to Mickey Jannis, of course.  I'm look forward to watching him rise through the Mets system.  He reported to (A+) Port St. Lucie.

However, losing Jannis is a big blow, as Long Island's starting rotation really hit its stride once Andrew Barbosa signed on.  The Ducks and GM Michael Pfaff are now left scrambling to minimize any recurrent instability this may cause.

If you remember, usual reliever Eric Niesen opened the season in the starting rotation.  That did now work out well, and Niesen was ultimately moved to Bridgeport on May 31st (completing an earlier transaction).  Starter Mark Rogers also started the season in the rotation, and likewise struggled this season.  He was similarly dealt to the Bluefish on June 30th.

Michael Pfaff wasted no time though.  On the same day, the Ducks signed 39-year old southpaw J.C. Romero, whom last pitched in the majors for St. Louis and Baltimore during the 2012 season.  He spent the 2013 season pitching AAA baseball in the Washington Nationals and Cleveland Indians organizations.  In 2014, he made 20 appearances during the Puerto Rican winter league season.  This year, Romero made 5 appearances for Puebla of the (AAA) Mexican circuit prior to signing with the Ducks.  So far, he has thrown 3.2 innings in 3 appearances.

*   *   * 2015 *   *   *

ATLANTIC LEAGUE 

ALL-STAR GAME

WEDNESDAY

Freedom Division

(Blue Crabs - Skeeters - Barnstormers - Revolution)

vs.

Liberty Division

(Patriots - Ducks - Riversharks - Bluefish)

FROM 

the Ballpark at Harbor Yard 

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Lew Ford is participating in the Home Run Derby.

2015 Long Island Ducks ~ Atlantic League All-Stars:

• SP - Ian Marshall - 12 starts, 71.0 inn, 3-4 record w/ 3.04 ERA, 43 strikeouts
• RP - Ryan Kussmaul - 31 games, 33.1 inn, 3-0 record w/ 2.70 ERA, *22 Saves
• 1B - Jon Griffin - .239/.312/.389, 9 HR, 45 RBI
• SS - Dan Lyons - .327, 5 HR, 38 RBI
• 3B - Cody Puckett - .274, 4 HR, 24 RBI
• OF - Lew Ford - *.361/*432/*.556, *96 Hits, *26 Doubles, 8 HR, *58 RBI
• OF - Bryan Sabatella - .302, *54 runs, *20 Stolen Bases

• *  Leads Atlantic League

Lew Ford, who turns 39-years old in August, is an obvious choice for 1st half Atlantic League MVP. His .361 batting average is 34 points better than the league's 2nd leading hitter and team mate, Dan Lyons.

In fact, the league's top four hitters play for the Long Island Ducks.  Delta Cleary Jr. is 3rd in the circuit with a .326 mark, and Reegie Corona is 4th with a .325 average.

While Jon Griffin's slash appears light, he has nonetheless provided the pop expected of him.  He is part of a pack tied for 2nd in the circuit with 9 home runs.  Griffin's 45 RBI are second only to Lew Ford, whom leads the league by a wide margin with 58 RBI.

Shortstop Dan Lyons wielded a particularly lethal bat in June.  As the customary #9 batter in the order, he is 2nd in the league in hitting, and 4th in the league with 38 RBI.

The table setter, Bryan Sabatella (.302/.360) is 4th in the league in doubles, 3rd in hits, and leads the Atlantic League in runs scored and stolen bases.


Let's Go Liberty Division..



Mike

Long Island Ducks: 2014 Pond Preview

From the desk of: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Long Island Ducks

ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

2004

2012  2013

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: How Can They Possibly Top Last Year's Improbable, And Astonishing Championship Run?

Last year's Atlantic League playoffs ended with a most improbable conclusion.  The circuit's top team, the Sugar Land Skeeters, ran roughshod over the competition, and posted a league best 95-45 record.  They were undone in sweeping fashion however, in the Freedom Division playoffs by the Somerset Patriots, who finished second to the Skeeters, with a similarly impressive 90-49 record.

The Liberty Division's members weren't nearly as formidable.  Each of the four teams finished below the .500 mark.  The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs ultimately won the overall division standings with a 65-74 record.  In the first round of playoffs, they faced the second place Long Island Ducks

In 2011, the Ducks sported the league's most potent offense, but bowed to the York Revolution in the championship series.  Long Island prevailed in 2012 however, to win their first Atlantic League title in a decade.  The organization captured its first championship back during the 2004 season.

Last year, there was a noticeable limp in the Long Island Ducks waddle.  They struggled throughout, and ended the regular campaign with a less than pedestrian 63-77 overall record.  They finished the first half with a 30-40 record, then managed to gain a playoff berth by capturing the Liberty Division second half flag with a dubious 33-37 mark.

Long Island then proceeded to sweep the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in the divisional round in three games to advance to their third straight championship series.  As noted, Somerset treated the Sugar Land Skeeters likewise, setting the stage for a Ducks/Patriots showdown.

The first four games were all decided by one run.  Long Island jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the series.  Somerset then battled back to win a pair of extra-inning games, tying the series at two. Long Island won the decisive Game Five by a 6-4 final, to repeat as Atlantic League champions.

Into The Pond: 2014 Preview

The 15th season of Long Island Ducks baseball will begin shortly.  After three straight appearances in the Atlantic League championship series, and winning back-to-back titles, what can we expect from the club in 2014?

General Manager Michael Pfaff is the lead architect, and his body of work speaks for itself.  But, even he would agree, change is the name of the game at Bethpage Park this season.  Some of the more popular veterans and crowd favorites have either retired, or for other various reasons, will not be returning.

The most glaring departure is that of all-time Long Island Ducks great, Ray Navarret, who's eight year career with the club ended with his retirement at the conclusion of last season.  Other notable regulars of the last few years, Kraig Binick and Rob Zimmerman will also be absent from this season's roster, as well as last year's team leader in home runs, Bill Hall.  In fact, near half the roster will be comprised of new faces.

Positional players returning to Long Island are Adam Bailey, Ryan Strieby, Joash Brodin, and of course, shortstop Dan Lyons.  Lew Ford is also due back, and is currently listed on the Ducks roster as an outfielder/hitting coach.

On the mound, eight pitchers from last year's staff return.  Bobby Blevins, Matt Way, John Brownell, and Shaun Garceau will likely form part of the starting rotation.  Third year Duck Leo Rosales will be back to close games.  The bullpen will also include Eric Niesen, Jared Lansford, and Josh Lansford.

In recent months Michael Pfaff busied himself traversing the baseball landscape in search of talent. He imported outfielder Jon Myers, and pitcher Casey Barnes from the Frontier League, and pitcher Fernando Hernandez was brought over from Somerset.

• Barnes posted a 7-3 record and 3.68 ERA in 20 games for the River City Rascals last season.

• Michael Pfaff needed to resupply his power, and the hope is Jon Myers, 26, can provide a measure of voltage in the middle of the order.  He batted .283 for the Gateway Grizzlies last season, led the circuit with 25 home runs, and drove in 64 runs in 361 at-bats.  He hit 20 home runs the year prior.

• Fernando Hernandez, 29, last pitched in the major leagues (3 games) in 2008 for Oakland. He spent portions of the 2013 season playing affiliated ball with New Hampshire of the Eastern League, with Laredo of the independent American Association, in Mexico, and lastly with the Somerset Patriots.

Newly acquired backstops Keith Castillo and Brian Peacock, will take over catching duties from last year's tandem of Ramon Castro and Ralph Hernandez.  Castillo, 26, spent the last three seasons in the Tampa Bay Rays system - last year in AA.  Peacock, 29, is an eight year minor league veteran, formerly of the Washington Nationals organization, and most recently of the Cincinnati Reds system.

Pitchers Jeremy Accardo, Steve Garrison, Brett Lorin, and Saul Rivera, outfielder Quincy Latimore, and infielders Cody Puckett and Sergio Miranda have also been added to this year's roster.

• Relief pitcher Jeremy Accardo, 32, is an eight year MLB veteran, who last pitched pitched with the Oakland A's in 2012, before spending 2013 in AAA.  He has 284 innings of MLB experience, with 205 strikeouts.  He owns a career 4.30 ERA with 38 career saves.

• Steve Garrison, 27, and a local New Jersey kid, had his lone moment in the major leagues with the New York Yankees.  In 2011, he pitched 0.2 innings, and that's it.  An eight year minor league vet, he spent 2012 in the Seattle Mariners system.  He played in the Arizona DBacks system, for Mobile in the Southern League last season, and posted a 3.30 ERA in 43.2 innings pitched, with a 10.1 K/9 average, 8.2 H/9, and 2.9 W/9 averages.

• Brett Lorin, 27, also comes to Long Island from the Arizona DBacks system.  At 6'7" and 245 lbs., he is an imposing specimen.  In a split season between Mobile-AA, and Reno-AAA, he posted a combined 5-2 record, with a 2.96 ERA in 51.2 innings pitched, with 38 strikeouts.

• Saul Rivera, 36, spent four full seasons spanning 2006-2009 relieving for the Washington Nationals, and made a quick pit stop in 2010 with Arizona.  Last year, he pitched 28.2 innings for the Sugar Land Skeeters, and posted a 2-0 record, with a 2.20 ERA.  He allowed 20 hits, and fanned 17 batters.

• Outfielder Quincy Latimore, 25, split the 2013 season between AA and the Frontier League.  He batted a combined .231 with 12 home runs, 52 RBI in 446 at-bats.

• Cody Puckett, 27, spent five years in the Reds organization, then the last two in the Chicago White Sox system.  In a combined AA and AAA season, he batted .251, with 17 home runs and 52 RBI, in 367 at-bats.

• Infielder Sergio Miranda, 27, was not active last year.  He played sparingly in 2012 during a very brief stay in the Atlanta Braves system.

The Long Island Ducks open their season April 25th, on the road in Somerset, where the Patriots will no doubt be looking to exact a measure of revenge.  Long Island's Opening Day will take place on May 2nd, against the York Revolution.




Mike.BTB