LaPoint out as Ducks manager

Dave LaPoint will not return as the Long Island Ducks manager next season,team officials announced Monday.

The Ducks missed the Atlantic League playoffs, going 36-34 in the first half of the season and 34-34 in the second half. The team had made the playoffs in each of its previous six seasons.

"We appreciate Dave's efforts and professionalism during his years as a Duck," general manager Michael Pfaff said. "At this time, however, we thought it best for the organization to move in a new direction."

LaPoint managed the Ducks from 2007-2008 before ceding the position to Gary Carter in 2009 and serving as the team's pitching coach. Under Carter, the Ducks reached the playoffs, falling in five games in the first round. LaPoint was named manager again when Carter left the organization last October to manage the Palm Beach Atlantic University baseball team.

In his three years at the helm, LaPoint posted a 213-191 record and the Ducks were 0-4 in postseason games under him.

"He's been a great employee of ours but we didn't make the playoffs this year,'' owner Frank Boulton said. "Our fans want a competitive club and we want to give them one. Not that Dave wasn't a terrific member of our team in many roles, but it was time for change."

The Ducks also announced that a search has commenced to find a new manager.

"A lot of people are interested in the job and we expect to have a new manager within the next three to five weeks,' 'Boulton said. "I think we'll name a manager some time between Thanksgiving and Christmas."

LaPoint pitched for 12 seasons in the major leagues (two with the Yankees) and was 80-86 with a 4.02 ERA. Before working for the Ducks, the 51-year-old had two managerial stints in independent leagues with the Adirondack Lumberjacks and the Bridgeport Bluefish. With Bridgeport, he was named Atlantic League manager of the year in 2006.