How does a recession and new stadiums for the Mets and Yankess go together? They don’t. A trip to Citifield or Yankee Stadium with a family of four this summer would most likely put a huge dent in your wallet. Stick to watching the Mets and Yankees play ball on your flatscreen and hurry on over to Citibank Park in Central Islip to see Long Island’s own baseball team, the LI Ducks, in person. They are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year! For those of you who are afraid of not seeing anyone “famous”, rest assured you will. Former Mets catcher and Hall of Famer, Gary Carter, is the Duck’s new field manager, so don’t forget to bring your camera and something to get autographed. Also famous in his own right is Quackerjack, the team mascot, but you can call himQJ. Your kids will think he’s Donald Duck in a baseball uniform. No need to go all the way to Disney World!
Guests at a Ducks game will enjoy free parking, $10 to $14 seats, and movie theatre priced concessions. Outside food and beverage is prohibited, so do not waste time packing a cooler. Diaper bags, purses, and camera cases are allowed, but subject to inspection. The stadium holds more than 6,000 people, with every seat guaranteed to have a bird’s eye view. Other entertainment can include fan vs. fan between inning competitions, trivia contests, and giveaways. On field promotions vary by day and anyone interested in participating should arrive as early as possible and go to the Newsday.com Customer Service Center to sign up. Spots are given away on a first come first served basis and fill up quickly. Also, for just a buck, kids can scramble their brains on a bounce ride, check their fast balls at the speed pitch station, or play a spin-the-wheel game.
Check out the website www.liducks.com to see the Ducks’ schedule of games and view the interactive seating chart if you would like to buy tickets before a game. You can mapquest directions to Citibank Park, 3 Court House Dr., Central Islip, 11722 to find the best route from your house. If you take in a Sunday home game, the gates open one hour early, allowing the fans a chance to go onto the field and get the players’ autographs.
To get an even bigger bang for your buck, plan to attend a game on May 30th, June 20th, July 2, August 8, September 7, or September19. A Grucci fireworks display will follow each of these evening games, most of which start at 7:05p.m.. Check the website to see the dates of many other giveaway days sponsored by local and national businesses. A game night that is of special interest to me is Autism Speaks Autism Awareness Night on August 17th at 7:05p.m.. This night an Autism awareness puzzle will be given away to the first 1,500 guests in attendance.
Now, with the money you just saved by taking the family to see a Long Island Duck’s game, you can afford to still have a date night with your spouse! GO DUCKS!
