Bethpage Ballpark
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, 2010, and 2018 Atlantic League All-Star Games.
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| Former names | EAB Park (2000–2001), Citibank Park (2001-2010), Suffolk County Sports Park (2010) |
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| Location | 3 Court House Drive Central Islip, NY 11722 |
| Operator | Long Island Ducks |
| Capacity | 6,002 |
| Field size |
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| 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) | |
Naming rights
The stadium was initially named EAB Park.[1] On July 17, 2001, Citigroup acquired European American Bank (EAB) for $1.6 billion and $350 million in preferred stock.[1] The acquisition resulted in a name change from EAB Park to Citibank Park.[2] Citigroup ended its corporate sponsorship in the spring of 2010[2] and the ballpark was given the temporary name "Suffolk County Sports Park" for the 2010 season.[3]
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]
Facilities
Bethpage Ballpark has a capacity of 6,002 seats, including 20 luxury suites and a 126-seat bar/restaurant.[4] Family attractions, such as an inflatable jump house and an inflatable fast pitch tent, are located on the concourse. Concession stands offer mainly traditional ballpark foods.
References
- "Citigroup - History". Citi.com. Citigroup. 2007. Archived from the original on May 5, 2008. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
- Baumbach, Jim (January 29, 2010). "Citibank ends sponsorship of LI Ducks' stadium". Newsday. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
- Sullivan, Joseph (December 15, 2010). "Bethpage Federal tags Ducks' home field". Newsday. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
- "Park History". Long Island Ducks Baseball. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
