WAPPINGERS FALLS – Heritage Financial Park, formerly known as Dutchess Stadium, is the home to the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Minor League High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. Visitors to the ballpark this year have seen heavy construction equipment just over the left field wall and Renegades General Manager Tyson Jeffers said the ongoing construction will make the stadium even more inviting.
The stadium, built in 1994 in less than 90 days for $8.3 million, is undergoing a $25 million renovation plan that started in 2019 when the original seats were replaced after 25 years of use by baseball fans. The primary parking lot was also repaved that year and new energy-efficient LED lighting was installed prior to the first pitch of the 2021 season.
At the end of last season, the original outfield wall made of plywood was replaced. The wall had serious deficiencies after being exposed to the elements for more than two decades. The new wall meets the standards of Major League Baseball and includes padding for player safety.
Jeffers told Mid-Hudson News that the Renegades and Dutchess County are working to make the stadium look clean and new, despite being 29 years old, and the firs
e possibly can.”
The heavy construction over the left field wall is where Dutchess County’s initiative to draw more fans to the county park is taking place. The expansion project will be home to the new state-of-the-art clubhouse for the home team next year and above it will be new seating options for fans as well as a luxury space that can be usedfor private events. It is expected to be completed in 2024.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to bring people here in the off-season for weddings, bah mitzvahs, and those types of things, Jeffers said. “We’d like for people to get married on the field and go up to the club and have their reception,” he added, while joking about wedding ceremonies, saying that Rascal, the team mascot might be available to give the bride away.
The Renegades are currently in first place in their division and tickets are still available. Click here for more info.
