One in a Million - SuffolkJournal.com

One In A Million
by James B. Teese

Ballots Ready - Pick the Players for the All Star Game @ Citibank Park

June 18, 2002 click on photos for larger view

One lucky seven-year baseball fan got the ballpark experience of his young life on June 17 as the Long Island Ducks celebrated his entry through the turnstiles as the one millionth fan at Citibank Park, the home field for the Ducks.

At Monday evening's game, the 163rd home game for the franchise, the Ducks reached the million mark faster than any other minor league team in the nation with a ballpark the size of Citibank Park.

Seven-year-old Matthew Stallone of Seaford was the lucky one-millionth fan as he entered the gates with his parents, Tony and Regina Stallone, and his sister Katie.

"This is great," said a grinning Matthew.

(Jason poses with his family, prize computer, Quacker Jack,
Frank Boulton, Bud Harrelson, & Matt O'Brien)

"He's a real big baseball fan," said Regina. Matthew was greeted with a red carpet, ticket confetti and an official Ducks jersey that read "One Millionth Fan" on the back.

He took to the field for a pre-game ceremony with Ducks principal owner Frank Boulton, first base coach and part owner Bud Harrelson, and general manager Matt O'Brien. Matthew also threw out a ceremonial first pitch.

tv55milln.jpg (28888 bytes) (Matthew Stallone,7, and family (parents Tony and Regina and sister Katie interviewed by TV55 anchor Richard Rose)

"Our entire organization is extremely proud of our fan base here on Long Island," said an ebullient Boulton. "I would like to personally thank each and every fan who has come out to the ballpark and helped us reach that number," he continued.

"Reaching the millionth fan faster than any other ballpark our size in the country is a testament to the support we receive. The Ducks pledge that we will work equally as hard to entertain our next million fans," Boulton added. In addition to the baseball perks, Matthew received a $2,500 computer system courtesy of Gateway.

(Ducks designated hitter Patrick Lennon hopes to open the Ducks scoring in their losing effort on Monday June 17. With P.J. Williams on second and Aaron Ledesma on first, Lennon flied to rightfield for the second out of the first inning. Going into the game, Lennon was leading the Atlantic League with 11 home runs and was second in the league with 32 RBIs. He went hitless for the night.)

Unfortunately, the Atlantic City Surf did not treat Ducks pitching so politely, blasting five home runs en route to an 8-2 victory. Starter and loser Jason Ryan gave up four of the homers in the first three innings -- the only four hits he surrendered.

Ducks Manager Don McCormack used four more pitchers in an effort to hold back the Surf onslaught to no avail. Ducks batters produced seven hits against the Surf, but scored only twice, on RBI doubles by Wady Almonte in the sixth inning and Jeremy Dietrick in the eighth.

The Ducks sit second in the division to the Bridgeport Bluefish, but the team leagues the league in average attendance. Citibank Park seats 6,002 fans and the Ducks have averaged over 6,100 fans in their two and a half seasons. The club averaged 6,146 fans in its inaugural 2000 season and 6,156 fans in 2001.

In 2002, the Ducks are averaging 6,057, a number Ducks officials expect to rise significantly as the schedule heads into summer.

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