Former Expos and Mets catcher Gary Carter has been named manager of the Long Island Ducks.

"The Kid" replaces Dave LaPoint, who compiled a 143-123 record in two seasons and led the club to a pair of playoff appearances. LaPoint, however, failed to lead the Ducks to a single postseason victory -- going 0-4 in the playoffs. But more alarming were a series of behind-closed-doors events involving teammates. The Ducks appeared to be a divided team late in the season, and it appeared big egos on the roster finally became a problem. And it will be interesting to see if Carter is accepted by his players. While respected and liked by the media and fans, teammates and players around the league despised Carter during his playing days -- because of his ability to turn on the charm when the cameras turned his way. Players and teammates took to calling him Kodak Carter.

Carter first became a candidate to manage in the Atlantic League last offseason when he interviewed for the opening in Lancaster.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Wednesday that the operator of Richmond's minor league ballpark and the Atlantic League both want to see a minor league baseball team play games at The Diamond next season.

The paper goes on to report that scenario seems unlikely.

York Revolution owner Peter Kirk, who is the chairman for Opening Day Partners, toured the facility and estimated The Diamond needed between $1 and $2 million in improvements to make it ready for next season.

The Atlanta Braves Triple-A franchise pulled out of Richmond at the end of the 2008 season, leaving the longtime affiliated market up for grabs. In a stunning move, the Atlantic League is in play for what could be the second-largest market in the league.

However, plans for placing an indy team in Richmond and building a new stadium have been complicated after the Atlantic League encountered one of its most challenging offseasons in league history. Two of the league's founding teams announced serious financial losses. League CEO Frank Boulton bailed out a failing Bridgeport franchise, buying out the biggest rival of the team he founded -- the Long Island Ducks. And the Newark Bears ceased operations, leaving the league with seven teams. Messages to Kirk and ODP President Jon Danos have not been returned.

The Richmond project and the collapse of the Bears have apparently affected the ability of the Revolution to finish some long overdue business. ODP has yet to name a manager for next year's team. Chris Hoiles wants to return and has been in negotiations with the Revolution. But he has not signed a contract. Hoiles led the Revolution to the first playoff appearance in franchise history when the Revs clinched the Freedom Division's second-half championship.

AtlanticLeagueBaseballNews has reported the Newark Bears will fold -- or at least not play in the Atlantic League in 2009 -- creating big issues for a league that has already seen CEO Frank Boulton bail out one team this offseason.

The league may be forced to either bail out Newark or once again use the traveling Road Warriors. (Psst: Jeff Scott keep your resume handy.) The league would then cut its 140-game schedule to 126 games. The smaller schedule allows teams to keep roughly the same number of home dates, because the Road Dogs play all their games on the road.

Boulton purchased the Bridgeport Bluefish earlier this offseason, and revealed he had used $150,000 to keep the Fish in business during the season. The Newark news is not a surprise, the atmosphere/crowds at the park were terrible this season. But the timing could not have been worse.

The York Revolution have opened the closets at The Vault, and will sell game-worn jerseys starting Monday. The team will sell home white, road gray, alternate red, gray batting practice and cream White Roses jerseys.

The cost: $175.

None of the jerseys contain name plates across the back. So if you want No. 2, it could be because Kennard Jones, Tike Redman or Travis Hake wore the uniform. However, some jerseys have already sold out.

The Revolution have already sold out of all Jason Aspito (No. 28) and Kazu Tanaka (No. 9) jerseys, according to Revolution marketing manager Tim Beckwith. And the team only had two Matt Dryer (No. 33) and Keoni DeRenne (No. 7) jerseys by late Thursday afternoon.

ATTENTION: Jerseys will be sold on a "first-call, first-serve" basis. Jerseys will only be sold by contacting Beckwith at 717-801-4486 beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 27. Fans are encouraged to call about jersey availability before Monday.

Three Atlantic League franchises reached the top 50 in attendance in minor league baseball according to Ballpark Digest. The attendance figures included all affiliated and independent teams.

The Long Island Ducks (ranked 29th), Somerset Patriots (ranked 48th) and Lancaster Barnstormers (ranked 50th) were included as some of the top draws in all of minor league baseball in 2008.

The York Revolution ranked 59th, drawing 300,526 fans during its first full season at Sovereign Bank Stadium. Not able to play a home game until June 15 during its inaugural 2007 season, the Revolution showed a year-to-year increase of .37.

Of note: Only one other team in the top 100 -- Monclova of the Mexican League -- matched York's one-year attendance spike.

Atlantic League founder and Long Island Ducks owner Frank Boulton has purchased the Bridgeport Bluefish, according to the Connecticut Post.

The Bluefish ranked last in attendance this season, and according to The Post owed almost $250,000 in rent for the Ballpark at Harbor Yard (pictured above). One of three founding teams still playing in the Atlantic League, Bridgeport may have been saved by Boulton -- at least for now.

Wayne Franklin, above, will be playing a game other than what he is known for at Sovereign Bank Stadium on Saturday.

A different kind of game will be using the field at Sovereign Bank Stadium on Saturday, October 4th when the Downtown Kickball Tournament takes place, beginning at 9 a.m. and lasting into the evening.

Businesses and groups teams, along with a squad made up of York Revolution staff, aided by Revs' pitchers Corey Thurman and Wayne Franklin will be competing with proceeds benefiting the Downtown Inc.

Thurman, the Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month in July enjoyed being a part of the York community and looks forward to displaying his kicking motion.