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 11722 |
| Operator | Long Island Ducks |
| Capacity | 6,002 |
| Field size |
Left Field: 325 feet (99 m) Center Field: 400 feet (120 m) Right Field: 325 feet (99 m) |
| Surface | grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | April, 1999 |
| Opened | May 14, 2000 |
| Architect |
Beatty Harvey Associates HNTB Sports Architecture |
| Tenants | |
|
Long Island Ducks (ALPB) (2000–present) Long Island Lizards (MLL) (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 2002 and 2010 Atlantic League All-Star Games.
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 Hebrew National 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 Luxury Suites and the club level suites available for business or pleasure.[4]
There are 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. There are many games and contests fans take part in between innings.
References
- ↑ Citigroup acquires EAB
- ↑ Baumbach, Jim (January 29, 2010). "Citibank ends sponsorship of LI Ducks' stadium". Newsday. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
- ↑ Sullivan, Joseph (December 15, 2010). "A new name for Ducks' ballpark". Newsday. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
- ↑ Bethpage Ballpark seating diagram
External links
Coordinates: 40°45′54″N 73°11′32″W / 40.76500°N 73.19222°W
