Ducks announce completion of new turf field

Say goodbye to grass at Long Island Ducks games.

The Ducks announced Monday the completion of their new turf field at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip.

“The new turf field will improve efficiency greatly, save millions of gallons of water per year, and be more environmentally friendly, eliminating the need for fertilizer and chemicals on the playing surface in future seasons,” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said in a news release.

The Suffolk County Legislature was asked during its Sept. 4, 2024 meeting to borrow $2.5 million to fund the project. Peter Guaraldi, the deputy director of communications for Romaine, told Newsday that the turf replacement and field renovations ended up costing $2.33 million. The Ducks lease Fairfield Properties Ballpark from Suffolk County.

The ballpark was built in 2000 and will remain in Suffolk County through 2030. Suffolk County announced a new stadium naming partnership with Melville-based Fairfield Properties in 2020. The 10-year deal expires on Dec. 31, 2030.

The renovation includes full replacements of all playing surfaces at the ballpark, including the pitching mound, bullpens and the padded outfield wall. The Ducks partnered with LandTek to install the new turf field, the same company responsible for high school turf renovations at Westhampton Beach, St. Anthony’s, Uniondale, Sachem East, Baldwin and Valley Stream South.

“Keeping our ballpark atop the list of favored destinations for Major League players looking to continue their careers is important,” Ducks president and chief business officer Michael Pfaff said in the release. “This project, along with our commitment to keeping ticket prices affordable and parking free, allow us to continue to deliver on our promise of providing the most fun, fan friendly and affordable entertainment experience on Long Island for many years to come.”

The Ducks are the eighth of 10 Atlantic League teams to adopt turf. York and Southern Maryland are the remaining two Atlantic League teams that still use grass.

The Ducks open the season at Fairfield Properties Ballpark on April 25 against Lancaster at 6:35 p.m.