BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Starting next season, the Atlantic League’s first-round playoff format will expand to a best-of-five contest. The Divisional Round was previously decided by a best-of-three set.

Atlantic League CEO and Ducks’ co-owner Frank Boulton said the championship round will maintain the best-of-five format. The change, effective in 2009, will give the first-half division winner the option of choosing to play the first two games at home and next three on the road or playing Games 3-5 at home.

Boulton also announced the site of the next two All-Star games. Newark will host the event next year while Citibank Park, home of the Ducks, will be the host stadium for the 2010 game.

League executive director Joe Klein, along with Boulton, also divulged that the rosters will temporarily expand in 2009. From Opening Day until May 31, the rosters will increase from the current 25-player limit to 27. The rosters will contract back to 25 on the last day in May with the excess players put in a pool for a dispersal draft.

“Any player not selected will be granted his release,” Boulton said. “Our expanded roster proposal based unanimously.”

With some of the best players in the independent minor league already signed by major league-affiliated organizations, Boulton said the league will move up its All-Star game to the last full week in June starting next year. The scheduling change was made in hopes of holding the event before the best first-half performers are enticed to leave the league.

“There are 27 guys you could argue are our better players who have moved on,” said Boulton before last night’s exhibition at Somerset’s Commerce Bank Ballpark. “We are going to make this more of a showcase for the players in the ALBP. Make it more interesting for the better players in our league to be a part of this All-Star game."

Citibank Park last hosted the All-Star event in 2002. This year’s rendition featured a departure from years past since the league retooled the former South and North Divisions into the Liberty and Freedom Divisions.

Newark, a Freedom Division member, will be up next year. Long Island will then be up the following year.