Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, in collaboration with Legislator Chad Lennon, the Long Island Ducks baseball team and the Veterans Services Agency, announced the return of the Heroes of the Game program for the 2026 season to honor local veterans and active duty military personnel.
Up to 2 “Heroes of the Game” will be selected during each home game at Fairfield Properties Ballpark located in Central Islip, NY.
Each will be honored with a special tribute during the course of the game, in recognition of their selfless and courageous service. In addition, each hero will receive 10 complimentary tickets to the match, intended for their friends and family.
The Ducks begin the regular season on Tuesday, April 21, taking on the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm To see the complete baseball schedule go to https://liducks.com/list-schedule/ .
“The ‘Heroes of the Game’ program gives fans of all ages the opportunity to thank our veterans who made countless sacrifices for our country,” Romaine said.
“This year will be special as we celebrate the milestone of our nation’s 250th anniversary – its ‘semi-centenary’ – throughout the year, through our ‘Suffolk 250’ initiative; a celebration in which we will recognize the illustrious history of our region, as well as its favorite pastimes. “We are honored to celebrate the ‘Suffolk 250’ alongside over 100 veterans throughout this season.”
“The ‘Heroes of the Game’ program is one of the many ways we honor and remember our veterans and their families in Suffolk County,” said Congressman Lennon, who is chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. “We are home to the largest population of veterans in all of New York State, and this program is a great way to combine America’s ‘national pastime’ with our local heroes.”
“The Long Island Ducks are incredibly proud to participate in the ‘Heroes of the Game’ program as a way to honor and recognize the brave men and women who have served – and continue to serve – our country,” said Ducks President Michael Pfaff.
«Their sacrifices, added to those of their families, constitute the foundation of the freedoms we enjoy every day. It is a privilege for us to welcome them to the stadium and express our deepest gratitude,” he added.
Since 2015, New York’s Suffolk County government and the Long Island Ducks have proudly honored approximately 1,000 local veterans and military personnel. Suffolk is home to nearly 100,000 veterans, the highest number in New York state.
Veterans and active duty personnel can register to be recognized as one of the “Heroes of the Game” at suffolkcountyny.gov/heroesby contacting [email protected], calling 631-853-VETS or clicking here.
