'Innovative New Venture': LI Ducks Now Using Baseballs With QR Codes

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — There's a new era of catching a foul ball and the Long Island Ducks are part of it.

The Ducks are now using official Drake baseballs that feature a specially-designed QR Code in home games, which enable fans who catch foul balls to scan the code for perks. The brand new baseballs made their debut on June 24 when the Ducks played the Staten Island FerryHawks at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip.

"We are excited to join the other Atlantic League clubs in debuting this innovative new venture," Ducks General Manager Sean Smith said in a statement. "Obtaining a game-used baseball while in the stands is one of the most exciting parts of coming to the ballpark. Now, that experience will be even more special for the lucky fans who catch one."

According to the Ducks, fans who catch a baseball that enters the stands can scan the QR code with their mobile device to find a page on LIDucks.com where they can enter an exclusive contest to win a prize from the team.

Fans are asked to share a selfie with the new baseball on social media and to tag the Ducks official accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram and/or TikTok to be entered into the contest.

In 2022, the Atlantic League became the first professional league in over 100 years to manufacture its own official baseball under the brand name of Drake. The ball is named in honor of Ellis Drake (1839-1912), who conceived the two-piece interlocking, figure eight design that has become the norm for all baseballs worldwide.

The Drake baseball is the result of over three years of extensive research and development, including rigorous laboratory, factory and game-day testing before being put into play and is still subject to annual testing. The Drake meets or exceeds all current specifications for professional baseballs, the organization said.