New York is, in many ways, the center of the baseball universe. The state is home to the Baseball Hall of Fame, the most successful franchise in Major League history and the birthplace of the two winningest MLB clubs on the West Coast. 

Adding to the state's illustrious history and boasting a portion of New York all its own, the Long Island Ducks launched at the turn of the millennium. The Atlantic League members have thrived as the sole Long Island-based franchise. 

Get to know more about the organization with the following primer.

Team Overview 

Based in Central Islip, the Ducks are proud to be billed (no pun intended) as the sole professional baseball club on Long Island. The organization can also take pride in the reputation for winning its established in its more than 20 years of existence. 

In June 2023, the Ducks became the winningest franchise in Atlantic League history, scoring their 1,581st victory. 

Such a level of success is contingent on an ability to pinpoint and cultivate talent, as well as from external support, be it in the front office or from the continued backing of fans. The Ducks have had both throughout their existence. 

What year were the Long Island Ducks founded? 

The organization was officially founded in 1998, amid some controversy. An opinion page in the April 19, 1998 edition of Newsday posits across the top headline in large font, "Should a Minor League Team Play in Suffolk County?" 

The section dedicated to the newly announced club includes thoughts from various business and political perspectives, including that of then-senior vice president of the New York Mets David Howard. Though vaguely endorsing baseball on Long Island, Howard's position reads as a thinly veiled slight against both the Atlantic League and the new club. 

Fast forward to 2000, and the Ducks began play the same year that the Mets won the National League pennant to set up the "Subway Series" against the Yankees. Those weren't the only winning clubs in New York that year, though, as Long Island went 82-58 right out of the gate. 

A successful opening season set the tone for the Ducks. 

Who owns the Long Island Ducks?

Long Island's consistent success on the field is a reflection of steady ownership since the club's inception. Frank Boulton, the Ducks' founder, has been active from the outset. 

The Long Island native collaborated with Bud Harrelson, a former Major League All-Star and member of the Amazin' Mets of 1969. 

What is the history of the Long Island Ducks team name and mascot?

Located on the aptly named Big Duck Ranch in Flanders, the Big Duck is a national attraction and namesake for Long Island's baseball club. 

The organization's mascot — a mainstay since the inaugural season — is QuackerJack. 

Have the Long Island Ducks ever won an Atlantic League championship?

The fourth and most recent of the Ducks' Atlantic League championships came in 2019, which also marked the single-season wins record for the franchise. Long Island amassed 86 victories that year. 

Long Island's first championship came in 2004, with the next two claimed in repeat fashion in 2012 and 2013. 

Where do the Long Island Ducks play?

Since April 2000 when the club debuted, Fairfield Properties Stadium has been the Long Island Ducks home. 

A report live from the scene via the April 30, 2000 edition of Newsday describes opening night at the then-named EAB Park as "a scene right out of the heartland: pratfalls by a mascot, quacking sounds from duck noisemakers, a 'lucky seats' contest, a throw the ball through the hole event.  

"It might have been Iowa, this park that Suffolk County Executive Bob Gaffney called, 'Suffolk's own field of dreams.'" 

And for almost a quarter-century, the dream's remained the Ducks' reality. 

Long Island Ducks Notable Alumni

An outstanding resource for some past Ducks greats is the club's official All-Decade Team. In terms of past Ducks to have made an impact in Major League Baseball, among the most noteworthy is Carlos Baerga. 

Out of professional altogether in 2000, Baerga spent 2001 with the Ducks and hit .315 with nine home runs. The campaign on Long Island reinvigorated Bearga for an impressive second act to his pro career, which included an outstanding 2003 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

He hit .343 for Arizona, appearing in more than 100 games and drove in 39 runs. 

Long Island Ducks Schedule

Check out the Long Island Ducks schedule here. 

How To Watch The Long Island Ducks

Atlantic, Frontier, Pioneer and the Coastal Summer Plain League, as well as the Florida Collegiate Summer League, are all streaming on FloBaseball and the FloSports app. Replays, highlights and more news can be found on the site.