The College has donated $15,000 to the City of Schenectady to offset the cost of installing an automatic sprinkler system at Central Park's Buck Ewing Field. In return,
the College's baseball team will have use of the field for all home games and practices.
Union President Roger Hull and Schenectady Mayor Albert Jurczynski held a press conference at the field on Tuesday afternoon to announce the joint venture.
“I think it is important that Union College, under President Hull's leadership, has made great contributions such as this to the community,” said Jurczynski. “I look forward to helping that relationship continue.”
The ballfield arrangement is the latest in a series of cooperative ventures between the College and the city. Last fall, members of the freshman class painted railroad bridges as
part of Schenectady 2000. The College is planning the construction of a boathouse for the
crew teams in the Stockade.
Ewing Field, also known as the “A” diamond, has been the site of Union's home
games for the past 20 years, but during that time the team has had no daily practice
facility. The team has had to practice on fields at Niskayuna High School, Schenectady
Babe Ruth, and Schenectady County Community College, Coach Gary Reynolds said.
Under the arrangement, the Dutchmen will enjoy a “home field advantage”
during their five-week spring season, as well as during an abbreviated three-week fall
campaign. Buck Ewing Field — widely regarded as one of the best in the region — will
have an “unbelievable” impact on the program, especially in recruiting, Reynolds
said.
Grounds crews in Central Park have had to water the field by carrying fire hoses and
sprinkler heads out on the diamond. The new automatic sprinkler system has “pop
up” sprinkler heads that will water the field at night.