- Bethpage Ballpark
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Bethpage Ballpark 
Former names EAB Park (2000–2001),
Citibank Park (2001-2009),
Suffolk County Sports Park (2010)Location 3 Court House Drive
Central Islip, NY 11722Broke ground April, 1999 Opened May 14, 2000 Operator Long Island Ducks Surface grass Architect Beatty Harvey Associates
HNTB Sports ArchitectureCapacity 6,002 Field dimensions Left Field: 325 feet (99 m)
Center Field: 400 feet (120 m)
Right Field: 325 feet (99 m)Tenants Long Island Ducks (2000-present)
Long Island Lizards (2001)Bethpage Ballpark is a 6,002-seat baseball park in Central Islip, New York that serves as the home of the Long Island Ducks, an independent minor league baseball team that is a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Its first regular season game took place on May 14, 2000, when the Ducks played host to the Aberdeen Arsenal. The game was the first in the history of both franchises, as they both entered the Atlantic League at the same time. Bethpage Ballpark hosted the 2001 and 2010 Atlantic League All-Star Games.
Contents
Naming rights
On July 17, 2001, Citigroup acquired European American Bank (EAB) for $1.6 billion and $350 million in preferred stock. The acquisition resulted in a name change from EAB Park to Citibank Park.[1] However, Citigroup ended its corporate sponsorship in the spring of 2010 and the ballpark was given the temporary name "Suffolk County Sports Park" for the 2010 season.[2]
On December 15, 2010, Suffolk County officials agreed to a $2.1 million deal with Bethpage Federal Credit Union to name the stadium "Bethpage Ballpark" until the 2020 season.[3]
Ballpark attractions
Concessions at Bethpage Ballpark include mainly traditional ballpark fare, located at the Entenmann's Picnic Area. Beer connoisseurs can visit the Smokin' Als Party Deck for their choice beverage.
In addition to Bethpage Ballpark's 6,002 chairback seats in the general seating area, it includes the Optimum Lightpath Luxury Suites and the club level suites available for business or pleasure.[4]
There's also attractions for the kids, with an inflatable jump house down the 3rd base concourse, and an inflatable fast pitch tent down the 1st base concourse. The mascot, QuackerJack, also provides in-game entertainment acts. There are many games and contests fans take part of between innings also.
References
- ^ Citigroup acquires EAB
- ^ Baumbach, Jim (January 29, 2010). "Citibank ends sponsorship of LI Ducks' stadium". Newsday. http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/citibank-ends-sponsorship-of-li-ducks-stadium-1.1731759. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
- ^ Sullivan, Joseph (January 29, 2010). "A new name for Ducks' ballpark". Newsday. http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/long-island-now-1.1732330/a-new-name-for-ducks-ballpark-1.2543566. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
- ^ Bethpage Ballpark seating diagram
External links
Coordinates: 40°45′54″N 73°11′32″W / 40.765°N 73.19222°W
Long Island Ducks Central Islip, New York The Club Ballpark Bethpage BallparkCulture Rivalries Important Figures Frank BoultonRetired Numbers Key Personnel Owners: Frank Boulton, Bud Harrelson, Tony Rosenthal • General Manager: Michael Pfaff • Manager: Kevin BaezChampionships (1) www.liducks.com Current ballparks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Freedom Division Clipper Magazine Stadium • Sovereign Bank Stadium • StarTex Power Field • TD Bank Ballpark
Liberty Division The Ballpark at Harbor Yard • Bethpage Ballpark • Campbell's Field • Regency Furniture Stadium
Expansion The Dog YardCategories:- Minor league baseball venues
- Sports venues in Long Island
- Islip (town), New York
- Citigroup buildings
- Baseball venues in New York
- Atlantic League ballparks
- Sports venues in Suffolk County, New York
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