As part of a series of improvements to Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George, the Staten Island Yankees (Short Season A; NY-Penn League) have extended the facility’s protective netting.
Extended netting has been installed that extends from the pre-existing netting behind home plate to the end of each dugout. This addition comes on the heels of recommendations from both Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball with the goal of increasing safety measures for fans.
The outfield playing surface was replaced in April with 80,000 square feet of Kentucky bluegrass, completing the process of resurfacing the entire field of Richmond County Bank Ballpark for the first time since the ballpark opened in 2001. The infield playing surface was replaced prior to the 2017 season.
“The Staten Island Yankees continue to invest in Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George,” said Will Smith, President/Operating Partner, Staten Island Yankees. “This gem of facility will look vastly improved in 2018 thanks to the resurfacing projects over the last two years. The new outfield looks tremendous and will be a welcome addition for all events at the ballpark and primarily our New York-Penn League slate of games beginning on June 15. The extended netting will enhance the safety at our ballpark, something we constantly provide for our unparalleled affordable family entertainment experience in New York City.”
The extended netting makes the Yankees the latest team around professional baseball to undertake that project at their ballpark, as extended netting has been installed at numerous facilities for 2018. More of our coverage on extended netting can be found here.
Image of extended netting on the first-base side courtesy Staten Island Yankees.