POUGHKEEPSIE – Changes to Minor League Baseball throughout the country forced the Dutchess County Legislature’s Public Works and Capital Projects Committee to vote on a bond for improvements at Dutchess Stadium that will allow minor league baseball to continue in the 30-year-old stadium. The committee approved a $1.4 million series of improvements. The full legislature will consider the proposal on Monday night.
The mandate by Minor League Baseball to stadiums across the country called for energy-efficient LED lighting to be installed in each ballpark or the league would prohibit professional baseball from being played there. In Dutchess, the upgrade also allows for more home games to be played each season in the Class A league. The season will double in length, going from 35 home games to 70.
The LED lighting accounts for a little more than $994,000 of the bond. The remainder will go towards other improvements to the stadium. In 2018, the county invested $2.8 million in the stadium to upgrade the turf and drainage and converting the dirt parking lot to asphalt.
The proposed improvements are also an incentive to have the New York Yankees move their farm team to Dutchess, replacing the Tampa Bay minor league team. County Executive Marc Molinaro, a vocal fan of the New York Mets, appreciates having the most notable franchise in baseball history, the Yankees, come to Dutchess. “Bringing the NY Yankees to Dutchess Stadium delivers a real shot in the arm and great opportunity with tens of millions of dollars in economic activity.” Advocating for the upgrades, Molinaro said “As their landlord and partner, we make this investment and they pay for it in rent. This 20-year agreement results in the Renegades paying the entire cost of this project and then some, netting Dutchess County taxpayers a $700,000 direct profit. This is a win-win for our community!”
Will Truitt (R-Hyde Park) is the chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee for the legislature. He’s also an avid baseball player. Truitt endorsed replacing the 30-year-old lights. “Improvements are long overdue at the stadium, for the safety of both the fans and athletes. lt is our responsibility to ensure our County parks are improved and maintained for continued regular use, no different than all other county parks.”
Some legislators have questioned the spending of taxpayer dollars for improvements to the park that is used primarily for the benefit of the baseball team. Molinaro noted that the stadium is used for several events other than Renegades games including high school sports, graduation ceremonies, and even campouts for scouts. Truitt also countered the argument, adding “As one of 800+ Hudson Valley National Adult Baseball Association players, we really looking forward to playing at Dutchess Stadium each year, and our league generates revenue through fees and registration that flow to Dutchess County for our ability to use the park.”
