The College will officially dedicate its new baseball field in Schenectady’s Central Park Friday, April 10, 2009, during a ceremony between games of a doubleheader against Skidmore College.
The first game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., followed by the dedication at 4:30 p.m. featuring Union President Stephen C. Ainlay and Schenectady Mayor Brian U. Stratton.
In a partnership between the College and the city, Union donated $162,000 to renovate “Diamond C,” one of three baseball fields in Central Park. The upgrades include a new infield featuring Kentucky bluegrass sod, new bases and a sprinkler system. Improvements were also made to the dugouts, outfield, bullpen areas and the fencing surrounding the field.
The city’s youth leagues will be able to use the new field when the College season ends in early May.
“This is a wonderful day for our baseball team, the College and the local community,” Ainlay said. “These renovations reinforce our long-standing commitment to being a good neighbor. We’re grateful the city has been willing to share their fields with us, and we’re excited to be able to help give them a first-class complex.”
The city plans to make some improvements to the “Diamond A and B” fields. Stratton said the city will market all three of its fields to tournament organizers, bringing top-quality amateur baseball to Schenectady.
“Schenectady is grateful for Union College's continued partnership and its financial support of these substantial improvements to our baseball complex," Stratton said. “We look forward to the exciting action of Union College baseball in Central Park.”
The first game on the new field was Tuesday, March 31, against William Paterson University.
“We’re excited to be able to play on a field worthy of collegiate-level competition,” said athletic director Jim McLaughlin. “Our students, along with countless members of the Schenectady community, will benefit from this renovation for years to come.”