WAPPINGERS FALLS – When fans gather to see the first pitch of the Hudson Valley Renegades home-opener on April 7th, they will be in the Heritage Financial Park. The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, and Heritage Financial Credit Union (HFCU), a local credit union serving communities in and around the Hudson Valley for over 80 years, have entered an agreement on a long-term stadium naming rights partnership. Beginning Tuesday, March 21st, Dutchess Stadium will be renamed Heritage Financial Park.
In addition to the renaming of the facility, HFCU will also sponsor several new community engagement and fan experience initiatives at the ballpark that will have an immediate impact on making life-long memories for the entire community.
“In baseball terms, Heritage Financial Credit Union is a five-tool player, and we are honored to welcome them into the Renegades family!” said Tyson Jeffers, general manager of the Renegades. “From our first conversation, it was clear that HFCU shares in our fan-first, community-first culture, and is dedicated to making a difference in monumental ways. We look forward to Heritage being by our side as we execute our long-term vision of expanding our community outreach, improving our customer experience, and making Heritage Financial Park the premier venue of the Hudson Valley!”
“When we purchased the Renegades over a year ago, our vision was a big one and we are thrilled that we have found a partner who shares that enthusiasm for the future in Hudson Valley,” said Peter Freund, CEO of Diamond Baseball. “We cannot wait to rename the stadium Heritage Financial Park as it undergoes the largest construction project in its history.”
Michael Ciriello, president and CEO of the Credit Union stated: “We are so pleased to partner with the Renegades as this new partnership closely aligns with our mission and further supports our community development outreach initiatives. We are beyond excited about this new opportunity to work closely with the Renegades to help positively impact the lives of those in our communities. I believe a quote from the great Jackie Robinson says it the best: ‘A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.’ Wishing the Renegades a fantastic season ahead!”
HFCU, according to the credit union’s Chairman of the Board Kenneth Affeldt, is extending its ties to the community. “We want to be part of the community,” he said. “Our Financial Development Center in Poughkeepsie is near and dear to our heart – where we’re doing financial literacy and counseling to really help people get on their feet,” said Affeldt. “The board believes the partnership will allow the Credit Union to reach and help more members in the communities we serve. We are very proud of this partnership and look forward to building a strong and lasting relationship with the Renegades and the community.”
“While we, as a county, don’t underplay the removal of the ‘Dutchess Stadium’ name from this great Dutchess County Park, we are happy a community-based organization like Heritage Financial Credit Union, with its strong local ties, will be associated with this venue which has been synonymous with wholesome, family fun since 1994,” said Dutchess County Executive William O’Neil. “This agreement, between the Hudson Valley Renegades and Heritage Financial, will bring an additional benefit to Dutchess County in the form of greater revenue from the team, offsetting our operating and capital costs to maintain this exceptional facility.”
The County’s agreement with the Renegades includes both a fixed rent amount and a variable amount tied to the usage of the stadium for events and other advertising revenue opportunities. The naming rights were taken into consideration in the establishment of the fixed annual rental amount which will be paid to the County over 25 years.
Through this partnership, Heritage Financial Credit Union will be heavily involved in the Renegades Community Program this season, acting as the presenting sponsor of new, highly impactful initiatives. HFCU will be the presenting sponsor of the Youth Field Betterment Program, Community Star Award, the Outstanding Student-Athlete Program, and the Renegades Education Program, new initiatives previously announced in February.
Additionally, Heritage Financial Credit Union will be the sponsor of the brand-new Home Runs for Charity program, for which it has pledged to donate to a charity of its choice for each Renegades Home Run hit this season.
Also previously announced, the partnership marks the return of Rascal’s Kids Club presented by Heritage Financial Credit Union. You can sign up to be a part of Rascal’s Kids Club here. Heritage will sponsor 50 percent off the first 400 members of Rascal’s Kids Club for 2023, slashing the sign-up cost from $40 to $20. Of that cost, $5 will be donated to another charity of their choice.
The ballpark is currently completing Phase One of a multi-year, significant improvement plan which will transform Heritage Financial Park into the premier entertainment venue in the Hudson Valley. Home to the Renegades since 1994, the ballpark hosts over 200 events per year and has generated millions of dollars of economic impact on the local community.
For more information on the naming rights announcement and promotions, click here.
Highlights of Tuesday’s announcement of the new name for the stadium:
