LI Ducks infielder Elvis Pena was too late rec eiving the ball during an August 18 game at Citibank Park. Photo by Kyle Reitan They may be struggling on the field, but the Long Island Ducks are flying at the box office. The team's recent poor play has had absolutely no effect on ticket sales as local fans continue to flock to Citibank Park to show their support. As usual, the Ducks lead the Atlantic League in attendance, but for awhile it looked like the team might suffer a major decline in ticket sales for the first time in their seven year history. Through the first 23 home games this season, the Ducks surprisingly reported only seven sellouts.

Citibank Park was still receiving the biggest crowds in the league, but not to the level of expectations that come when you average over 100-percent capacity for six straight seasons. Was it possible that the novelty of going to Ducks games was finally wearing off? With the summer winding down, it is now evident that the answer to this question is a resounding no. Since mid-June, the Ducks fans have responded in force and the Ducks have once again been the hottest summer ticket on Long Island. The Ducks have played to standing-room only crowds in 30 of their last 31 home games and are currently on a streak of 23 consecutive sellouts.

There is no denying the extraordinary success the Ducks have had in attracting fans ever since their inaugural season back in 2000. However, the team is expecting to reach a milestone very shortly that might be their most impressive to date. Sometime next week the Ducks will become the fastest professional sports franchise in history to reach the three-millionth fan plateau with a stadium/arena of 6,000 seats or less.

"This is a great accomplishment for our organization and testament to the support we have received from the people of Long Island," says Ducks general manager Michael Hirsch. "When we reach this milestone it will be an occasion like no other, which we will use to celebrate our fans and their commitment to the Long Island Ducks."

If recent attendance figures continue, it is estimated that the team will hit the magical number next Thursday, Friday or Saturday. For those wishing to buy tickets for this special event, the most likely date (with no guarantees) is Friday night's game (September 1) against the Somerset Patriots. Fans can continue to monitor the official countdown by going to the team's website, www.liducks.com, and checking the ticker at the top right corner of the page, which is updated after each home game.

The Ducks have joined together with sponsor, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, to prepare an unforgettable welcome for the person who actually becomes fan number three million. The celebration will start with the Ducks rolling out a red carpet for the special fan as he/she enters Citibank Park. The person will then be led down to the field to join QuackerJack and the Ducks players for pre-game festivities and a special ceremony. This will include throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to co-owner and assistant coach Bud Harrelson as well as taking a picture which will then be displayed as the "Pic of the Day" on the team's website. Finally, the lucky fan will be given a check for 5,000 dollars and a commemorative "Three Millionth Fan" official Ducks jersey in a special presentation by Bethpage Federal Credit Union.

"Bethpage is proud to be a part of this celebration," says Kirk Kordeleski, President/CEO of Bethpage Federal Credit Union. "Our roots, like the Ducks, are on Long Island and this partnership celebrates the fans and the friends who are as dedicated to Long Island as we are."   

Apparently, the Ducks lackluster play in the second half has not dampened fan optimism about the team's chances in the playoffs. "Even when we lose badly, we just put the game behind us and move on, because we always know that there will be 6,100 fans screaming again for the Ducks the very next night," said manager Don McCormack after a recent game.

For the third straight year, Ducks supporters came out in large numbers as postseason tickets went on sale last week. After just one day of sales, over 60percent of the tickets for all four potential homes games had been purchased.

"The turnout that our fans gave us today was a good indication that the fans on Long Island are ready for the postseason," says Ducks general manager Michael Hirsch. "Our organization is thrilled to have that kind of support from our fans as we look to capture our second Atlantic League title."

Continuing his tradition, Dick Van Cott was once again the first Ducks fan on line to buy playoff tickets. The 75-year old Bay Shore native, who earlier this year set a record for camping out in front of Citibank Park 75 hours prior to Ducks regular season tickets going on sale, was once again the first person waiting at the box office windows. This time Van Cott arrived a full 24 hours in advance of sale time.

"We love coming out to see our Ducks," said Van Cott. "I figured that since I was the first in line for tickets this year, I could do it again for the postseason. I can do 24 hours in this weather on my head! It's not like the cold of March."

Despite the big turnout, there are still seats available for each of the playoff games. The Ducks also announced that Game Two of the first round of the playoffs will feature a Thunderstix giveaway, while Game One of the Championship Series (should the Ducks advance) will be followed by a post-game fireworks show.

MPK Native Cafiero Shines In New Role

When it was announced last week that Tony Fiore was joining the ever growing list of Ducks pitchers leaving to play for a different team, it thrust another reliever into the starting rotation leaving the bullpen thinner than ever. While manager Don McCormack continues to hope that outside help for his short and struggling pitching staff is on the way, he has received some immediate aid from an unlikely source. Massapequa Park's Rob Cafiero, usually a backup first baseman, has seen his role with the team increase over the last week. Rather than standing at first base, Cafiero has found himself on the pitcher's mound.

Facing blowout scores in three different games this past week, McCormack called on Cafiero each time to help get the team through the final innings without depleting the bullpen even further. Cafiero, who did pitch while playing in Massapequa High School and for a short time while attending Villanova, says he is relishing this new role. "I love pitching because it is something I did a lot while growing up," says Cafiero, "I feel comfortable out there in these situations and I am having a lot of fun."

Cafiero, relying almost exclusively on a Tim Wakefield-like knuckleball, has actually been one of the most successful relief pitchers the Ducks have used over the past week. In his three appearances this past week, Cafiero pitched six and two-thirds innings allowing only one earned run while striking out six batters. Manager Don McCormack certainly appreciates Cafiero's willingness to take on this role. "He just keeps throwing the ball over the plate and getting people out," McCormack says, "It has really helped us get through some tough games without using too many pitchers and I am thankful for that."

McCormack has said he might even consider giving Cafiero a start or two before the end of the season. This is a challenge that Cafiero is willing to accept. "If it will help the team out, I am willing to do it," says Cafiero, "we are going to need our pitchers in the playoffs so if I can eat up some innings to keep them healthy, then I would be glad to do whatever is necessary."