NY1’s Shannan Ferry and Rocco Vertuccio took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Staten Island FerryHawks’ newly refurbished stadium. The city and the team ownership group, which includes Staten Island natives and "Saturday Night Live" cast members Colin Jost and Pete Davidson, spent over $10 million on renovations for Richmond County Bank Ballpark.
The transformed home of Staten Island’s new independent baseball team will feature a wide range of concessions, a turf field, and improved amenities. Construction began in November and is still ongoing ahead of the team's inaugural season.
The goal is to make the St. George stadium a destination not just for baseball, but for entertainment and other events.
What You Need To Know
- The FerryHawks ownership group and the city are spending at least $10 million renovating the old Richmond County Bank Ballpark
- The goal is to transform the ballpark into a destination not only for baseball but also for family entertainment and other events
- The Staten Island FerryHawks play their home opener May 3rd
"I think the Staten Island community wants baseball back," general manager Gary Perone said. “This is your borough, this is your team. You have this special, iconic place here."
Perone says local businesses will be invited in to serve signature dishes under the banner "Taste of Shaolin."
The FerryHawks’ were established last year after the ballpark’s previous occupants — the Staten Island Yankees — were shutdown before the 2020 season as part of a consolidation of baseball’s minor leagues. The new team is part of the Atlantic League, independent from Major League Baseball. Familiar names on the team include infielder Kacy Clemens, son of former New York Yankees great Roger Clemens, and former New York Mets Edgardo Alfonzo and Nelson Figueroa, who will be the manager and pitching coach, respectively.
The FerryHawks’ home opener is May 3.