Nassau County - Long Island, New York

Mangano RFP Committee Selects Atlantic League Team To Play Ball In Nassau County

Atlantic League selected to bring minor league baseball to Nassau County

Atlantic League Baseball Team & Ballpark Subject to Aug. 1st Public Referendum

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced today that Nassau County’s Ballpark Request-for-Proposal (RFP) Committee has selected a bid from LI Ducks owner Frank Boulton to bring an Atlantic League team to Nassau County. Negotiations are expected to begin this week to reach a revenue sharing agreement. A County-owned ballpark is part of County Executive Mangano’s vision to create a first-class sports-entertainment destination center at the Hub, centrally located in Nassau County.

County Executive Mangano stated: “Attracting a baseball team to Nassau County will create jobs while providing an affordable family-fun destination for our residents. Rather than travel to neighboring counties for sports entertainment opportunities, families will be able to stay local and spend their dollars in our community.”

LI Ducks owner Frank Boulton has received unanimous approval from the highly successful Atlantic League to proceed with establishing a team in Nassau County. In fact the process will be further abbreviated as an existing dormant membership fromNewark, New Jerseywill serve to bring a teamto Nassau County to start play in 2013.

“The Long Island Ducks are enthusiastic about bringing another Atlantic League team to Nassau County. An instant rivalry to play the Expressway Series will entertain over an anticipated 800,000 Long Islanders annually,” said LI Ducks owner Frank Boulton.

"The County's Ballpark RFP Committee selected Mr. Boulton's bid for the following reasons:

 

  • Frank Boulton has a team already approved by the Atlantic League
  • The LI Ducks organization has a successful baseball team in a market that is similar to Nassau County for over a decade
  • The LI Duck Games are typically sold out

Nassau County taxpayers will own the new ballpark and share in the revenue derived from events held at the facility. On non-game days, the ballpark will be open for County activities that benefit local youth and sports-related organizations in Nassau County. The construction of a new ballpark stadium and team is subject to a publicreferendum to be heldon August 1stat normal local polling locations in Nassau.

"Creating a sports entertainment destination will enhance our quality of life as well as create jobs and opportunities for residents,” said County Executive Mangano. “With the addition of a new arena and ballpark Nassau County will offer professional hockey, baseball games, world class swimming, PGA quality golf, softball, lacrosse, soccer, tennis and more."

Background Information:

Frank Boulton has been a leader in Minor League Baseball since 1986. He has owned several affiliated and independent baseball teams. Frank is also the CEO and founder of the now fourteen-year-old Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs, Inc.

The Ballpark Committee included: Michael Kelly, Deputy Director of the Office of Real Estate Services who served as the Chair; Carl Schroeter, Director of the Office of Real Estate Services; Carnell Foskey, Commissioner of the Department of Parks and Recreation and Museums; Shila Shah-Gavnoudias, Commissioner Department of Public Works; Brian Nugent, Director of Government Operations; and Sean Sallie, Planner III, Department of Public Works.

On May 16, 2011, the Nassau County Office of Real Estate Services issued an RFP for management and operation of a ballpark to be located in Mitchel Park, to bring a team to Mitchel Park and to operate and maintain the ballpark for public recreational opportunities. On June 16, 2011, proposals from two entities were received: Frank Boulton from the Long Island Ducks and Blumenfeld Development Group/Sterling Equities.On Friday, July 8, 2011, the County’s Ballpark RFP Committee selected Frank Boulton from the Long Island Ducks.