Waking up early for class or work on a weekday morning isn’t easy, but I know it’s for the best. Waking up early on a Sunday morning to drive for ninety minutes, then take an hour ferry ride to Bridgeport, Connecticut doesn’t sound that great, either. Knowing that you have to do your first interview with an ex-Major Leaguer, a Gold Glover at that, didn’t help the nerves one bit. As I was finally calmed down by MOFO Sports editor/photographer Melissa Lye, we headed out on a journey. Ten minutes driving east on Hempstead Turnpike, this anxious reporter realized that he had forgotten both his handheld tape recorder and his set of questions to ask Bridgeport Manager Jose "Chico" Lind. After grasping the stupor of my ways, we headed back home to retrieve the crucial "tools of the trade".

We were already twenty-five minutes late, and this additional twenty minute delay surely did not help the matter. You see, the Port Jefferson Ferry does not wait up for latecomers. The time was 8:52 A.M., and Melissa frankly stated, "Not to be pessimistic or anything, but we’re not going to make the 10 o’clock ferry". If we missed the ferry, say goodbye the Chico Lind interview. Not to be outdone by Father Time, I managed to do some ‘creative driving’ on the Long Island Expressway for about an hour. We managed to pull into the Port Jefferson parking lot at approximately 120 precious seconds to spare. After sprinting across the docks, we managed to be two of the last passengers to be let onto the soon-to-be-departing ship. I breathed the biggest sigh of relief since John Franco’s third called strike against Jorge Posada. We made it! But that was just the beginning of a wonderful day of baseball.

The ferry ride was enjoyable, and for a mere $40 bucks we purchased two round-trip tickets. Surprisingly, the ferry was filled with ducks. No, not those kinds of ducks, but Long Island Ducks fans. Quackerjack, the Ducks zany mascot, was supposed to be on the 11 o’clock ferry, but unfortunately we did not see the giant six foot mallard.

After crossing the Long Island Sound, we look (and felt) like tourists. After getting pointed in the right direction, we headed for Harbor Yard, home of the Bridgeport Bluefish. A friendly shuttle cart driver picked us up, and drove us in front of Harbor Yard.

We picked up our press passes, and headed for the field. Dozens of Special Olympics athletes and proud parents had the opportunity to chat, get autographs, and even have a catch with Bluefish players. The players went out of their way to talk to each and every member of the group. It was truly a great experience to witness.

Bluefish catcher, Charles Alley escorted us through the clubhouse to Chico Lind’s office. After a nerve-racking, yet rewarding interview, I headed to the press box to watch 11 innings of scoreless baseball, followed by an exciting win by the Ducks in 12 to defeat the Bluefish, 1-0. Veteran Doug Jennings got the game-winning hit, driving in Kimera Bartee to seal the win.

Harbor Yard was full of Ducks fans. During the late innings of the game, they literally took over the stadium. Behind the visitor’s dugout, green and orange could be seen all around. "Let’s Go Ducks" and the roaring buzz of quackers filled the stadium in this playoff-type atmosphere. The Quack Pack had migrated north with the team, rooting the Ducks on from start to long-awaited finish.

The win put the Ducks in a position to be in a playoff spot for the first time in franchise history. That game, played on Monday July 12th, was called due to rain as a 3-3 tie. The game will be made up in it’s entirety on August 9th. The first-half winner of the Northern Division will not be decided until late in the second half.

After some early-morning jitters, everything worked out in the end. I interviewed a former Major League ballplayer, I watched an amazing twelve innings of baseball, and most importantly, I didn’t get a speeding ticket on the way up.

Photo by Melissa Lye.