Ducks Sign Three As Spring Training Begins
Published on April 13, 2010 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
(Central Islip, N.Y., April 12, 2010) - Long Island Ducks team officials today announced the signings of pitchers Joe Valentine, Rick Bauer, and Joe Esposito as the club opened its first ever Spring Training at Suffolk County Sports Park. Valentine returns for his fourth season with the Ducks while Bauer and Esposito begin their first season with the Flock.
"We're excited to bring back Valentine and add both Bauer and Esposito as we begin spring training," says Ducks manager Dave LaPoint. "We're excited to get started."
The Ducks will kick off their first ever spring training at home with workouts beginning Tuesday morning. The Flock play their first spring training game on Friday, April 16th when they visit the Bridgeport Bluefish at 10:30 AM. The team will then host the Newark Bears on Saturday at 10:30 AM at Suffolk County Sports Park. General admission tickets for spring training games will be issued FREE to Ducks season ticket and suite holders and a $5 donation to the QuackerJack Foundation will apply to all other fans.
Valentine led the Atlantic League in appearances in 2009, pitching in a career-high 67 games. The Deer Park native posted a 4-2 record along with a 2.96 ERA and two saves, earning him a spot in the All-Star Game for a second straight year. The right hander spent time with three different teams in 2008, delivering a 5-3 record in 38 innings with a 3.32 ERA for Long Island. His efforts earned him two stints with affiliated clubs, appearing in four games for Reading (AA, Phillies) of the Eastern League and posting a 3.29 ERA with Chattanooga (AA, Reds) of the Southern League. In 2007, the 30-year-old went 4-2 with a 1.54 ERA in 37 contests for Long Island.
Bauer spent 2009 with the York Revolution and posted a 3.86 ERA in three starts. The right-hander struck out 13 batters in 14 innings pitched. He has played 13 seasons of professional baseball, spending time with six different Major League organizations (Orioles, Rangers, Dodgers, Phillies, Blue Jays, Indians). The 33-year old has reached the Major Leagues seven different times, with his last appearance coming in 2008 with the Indians. He has an 11-14 record along with a 4.51 ERA in 187 big league games. The Garden Grove, California native is 52-60 with a 4.21 ERA in 247 minor league contests.
Esposito split the 2009 season with Single-A Delmarva of the South Atlantic League and Single-A Frederick of the Carolina League. The right hander combined to go 4-2 with a 2.93 ERA in 38 games. The 24-year-old has played three seasons of professional baseball, all in the Baltimore Orioles organization. He has a 12-7 career record with a 2.87 ERA in 87 games. The Mineola native went to high school in Baldwin and played collegiate baseball at New York Institute of Technology.
The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Suffolk County Sports Park in Central Islip, NY and are entering their 11th season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Through 10 seasons, the team has averaged 6,077 fans per game in their 6,002-seat park. For further information, visit www.liducks.com or call 631-940-DUCK.
Atlantic League Stories from April 13, 2010
- 'Sharks Sign Three Right-Handed Pitchers - Camden Riversharks
- Riversharks Sign Two Former Major League Players - Camden Riversharks
- Stryker Brigade Part Of Ceremonies At Saturday's Fan Fest - York Revolution
- Ducks Sign Three As Spring Training Begins - Long Island Ducks
- John Halama Returns To Blue Crabs - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
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