A $1 million state Senate grant has been secured for future upgrades to Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY, helping to piece together funding for the project.
Located near the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Doubleday Field is used for a variety of events, including the Hall of Fame Classic. The historic ballpark is approaching its 100th anniversary in 2020, and officials are working to complete upgrades in time for that milestone.
On Monday, it was announced that a $1 million state Senate grant had been secured to help cover the $5.8 million renovation. Several amenities would be added as a result of the planned overhaul, including new third-base bleachers. More from The Daily Star:
State Sen. James Seward brought baseball metaphors and $1 million to the village Monday, with a state Senate grant to seed a $5.8 million upgrade of Doubleday Field in time for its 100th anniversary celebration in 2020.
“I am happy to lead off,” said Seward, R-Milford, who said the money came from the State and Municipal Facilities Fund.
The project will yield reconstructed third-base bleachers, including amenities behind that area, such as an office space, a press box and public rental space. It will also improve the stadium’s ADA accessibility, the field and the stadium entrance, including a walkway from Main Street to the stadium. It is possible the Sandlot Kid statue near the Key Bank building will be relocated closer to the stadium. And museum space will be added to the grandstand area.
The 2018 Hall of Fame Classic– the next edition of a seven-inning game featuring Hall of Famers, and other retired major league stars–is scheduled for Saturday, May 26.