Richmond County State Ballpark | via Facebook
Nothing symbolizes an NYC summer more than watching America’s pastime on a hot July afternoon. Sitting in the stands, ball cap on your head, jersey on your back, with a hot dog in one hand and a glove on the other. New York’s baseball history has been dominated by the Yankees (sorry, Mets fans) and its legendary players. But superstars like Derek Jeter, Alfonso Soriano, Mark Teixeira and others didn’t earn their pinstripes overnight. Like all players, their careers began in the minors.
Since 1999, the New York Yankees minor league team, the Staten Island Yankees, has taken the field to introduce the future of their cherished franchise to the people of Staten Island. In the Richmond County Bank Ballpark in St. George, fans can see the Baby Bombers start their journey to pinstripe immortality.
Since becoming NYC’s first minor league baseball team, the Staten Island Yankees have been the starting point for superstar players such as Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera. Their home field has been called one of the best baseball parks in the country, famous for its waterfront view of the Statue of Liberty and the New York Harbor, and for ending summer night games with a spectacular firework display. Throughout the year, the field is used for special events, concerts, and other activities that bring the communities of Staten Island together.
Getting there couldn’t be easier, at least if you’re taking the ferry. The Richmond County Bank Ballpark is adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry terminal, a quick walk for visitors to Staten Island as well as Staten Islanders coming home from work in Manhattan. For Staten Islanders with cars, there are five parking lots situated around the park, but they aren’t controlled by the Staten Island Yankees, and they fill up quickly. Public transportation may be your best bet — all major Staten Island bus routes and the Staten Island Railway terminate at the Staten Island Ferry terminal.
These games are perfect for family get-togethers, first dates, or just a fun day out in the dog days of summer. Come catch a game, grab some BBQ, and who knows — you might get to catch a foul ball from a future Yankees legend.
