LONG ISLAND DUCKS GET 2010 ALL-STAR GAME

BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES LEAGUE PROPOSALS

Expanded playoff format and rosters to debut in 2009; future All-Star sites announced

(Bridgewater, N.J., July 17, 2008) – Following the Atlantic League Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, league CEO and founder Frank Boulton announced that proposals to modify the league playoff and roster formats have been unanimously approved for the 2009 season. Boulton also announced that Newark will host the 12th annual All-Star Game and festivities in 2009, while Long Island will serve as host in 2010. Beginning next year, the first round of the postseason will go from a best-of-three showdown to a best-of-five series. In addition, teams will be able to carry 27 players on their active rosters from Opening Day until May 31.

“The Atlantic League is constantly moving forward, and we are excited about the modifications that will debut next season,” said Boulton. “As we celebrate the accomplishments of our players and organizations at this week’s festivities, we continue to work hard to guarantee the competitive strength of the league and provide our fans with quality baseball and an unparalleled minor league experience.”

In years past, division champions from each half of the season would play each other in a best-of-three series to determine which club would represent the division in the league championship series. The 2009 season will see the divisional playoff round expanded to a best-of-five matchup.

The expansion of rosters at the beginning of the season gives teams the option to carry two more active players than is currently allowed from Opening Day until May 31. Beginning on June 1, teams will be allowed to carry no more than 25 active players on their rosters for the remainder of the season. Up to two extra players from each team will be placed into a pool and entered into a league-wide draft. The team with the worst win-loss record will have the opportunity to select one of these players out of the draft pool, with the second-worst team having the next selection, and so on. Any remaining players not chosen in the draft will be granted their outright release.

League officials on Wednesday also announced that Newark’s Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium will host the 2009 All-Star Game. The contest was last held in Newark in 2001, and will take place in late June of next year. The Long Island Ducks will host the 2010 All-Star Game at Citibank Park, marking a return of the league’s premier talent showcase to Central Islip for the first time since 2002.

The Atlantic League is an Independent Baseball League, not affiliated with Major League Baseball, which is in its eleventh year of play and serves communities not currently being served by Major League or Minor League baseball. Our mission is to bring a high level of professional baseball and affordable family entertainment to those selected communities. For more information, please call 856-541-9400 or visit http://www.atlanticleague.com/.