In partnership with Heritage Financial Credit Union, the Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, began their Youth Field Betterment program in 2023. The mission of the program is to award one youth baseball organization with a field renovation to improve their community. This year, the East Fishkill Babe Ruth League will receive a refurbishment of Stormville’s Lee Town Recreation Park as the recipient of the award.
To determine who is qualified to receive the Youth Field Betterment award, candidates are evaluated on several criteria, from increasing youth participation rates to improving the quality of and access to youth baseball in the area.
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The East Fishkill Babe Ruth League is a nonprofit organization that serves as a cornerstone of the community in Dutchess County. Including local girls and boys, preschool through age 15, the league is run and managed by a team of volunteers who promote courage, character, and teamwork through the sport. The focus of the league, then, is not just on baseball but on building youth into confident athletes who follow in the footsteps of their role models.
“As President of the East Fishkill Baseball League, I am thrilled and deeply honored by the generous grant from the Hudson Valley Renegades,” says Jesse Marshall, President of the East Fishkill Babe Ruth League. “This exciting win fills our hearts with gratitude and enthusiasm, knowing that one of our youth baseball fields will soon undergo a remarkable transformation. This refurbishment isn’t just about upgrading facilities; it’s about investing in our community’s future, fostering a love for the game, and providing a safe and vibrant space where our young athletes can grow, learn, and thrive. Together, with the support of the Renegades, we are not just renovating a field; we are cultivating a legacy of camaraderie, sportsmanship, and success for our budding athletes.”
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Thanks to the Youth Field Betterment renovation, the league’s Lee Town Recreation Park will be restored to allow every child who wants to play to have an enjoyable experience with baseball. This spring, representatives from the Hudson Valley Renegades and Heritage Financial Credit Union will spend a day revamping the Stormville field under Renegades Field Manager Tanner Puff’s leadership.
“In choosing Lee Town Recreation Park as this year’s recipient, we have a chance to make a long-lasting difference in access to youth baseball in the Hudson Valley,” says Marcella Costello, Renegades Senior Director of Marketing and Fan Experience.
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