NAVARRETE AND BRODIN SIGNED

Ducks announce first signings of 2013
Central Islip, New York – The Atlantic League champion Long Island Ducks recently announced the signings of infielder Ray Navarrete and outfielder Joash Brodin for the 2013 season. Navarrete begins his franchise-record eighth season as a member of the Ducks while Brodin enters his second year on Long Island.

“Our goal this season remains the same as always: to win an Atlantic League championship,” says Ducks president and general manager Michael Pfaff. “Ray and Joash were instrumental in bringing the championship to Long Island in 2012, and we’re excited to have them back this year.”

Navarrete earned his team-record fifth All-Star Game appearance and First Team Postseason All-Star honors a year ago. The Port Washington resident posted team-highs in batting average (.318), RBI (90) and games played (131) while also compiling an Atlantic League record 50 doubles, shattering his previous record of 42 he set in 2007. The 2009 Atlantic League Player of the Year also collected five RBI, three runs and eight walks in 10 postseason games.

The 34-year-old enters the seasons as the franchise’s all-time leader in hits (879), home runs (130), RBI (510), runs (561), doubles (224) and games played (765).

Brodin joined the Ducks in July of 2012 and made an immediate impact, hitting .282 with three homers, 24 RBI and 31 runs in 49 games. During the postseason, the switch-hitter batted .359 while driving in seven runs, including a go-ahead RBI double in the eighth inning of Game One in the Liberty Division Championship Series. Brodin collected at least one hit in each game of the Atlantic League Championship Series against Lancaster, batting .476 (10-for-21) for the series.

Prior to playing on Long Island, the Washington native began last season with the London Rippers of the Frontier League. There, he led the league in batting with a .370 average while compiling 11 homers, 54 RBI and 18 doubles in 59 games. The 25-year-old has played four seasons of independent baseball and has a .316 batting average and .392 on-base percentage in 356 career games.

The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.