Sports
New $382K Indoor Baseball Field Opens In Washington Heights
The 4,500-square-foot facility features a fully-turfed gym space with batting cages and state-of-the-art equipment.
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — After a year of renovations, a brand new, state-of-the-art indoor baseball field and training space has officially opened in Washington Heights at the Police Athletic League Armory Center, and it's entirely free for young athletes to use, Mayor Eric Adams said on Saturday.
The 4,500-square-foot indoor baseball facility, which cost $382,000 to build out, includes a fully-turfed gym space with baseball diamonds, batting cages, and state-of-the-art equipment including baseball and golf simulators, the mayor said.
The new indoor facility is part of the city's Saturday Night Lights program, a public safety initiative that offers free sports programming for kids ages 11 to 18 on Saturday nights from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., which is a time of the week when crime historically spikes, Adams said.
Find out what's happening in Washington Heights-Inwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Saturday Night Lights brings joy and positivity to our kids through sport — and gives our young people an alternative at the times when crimes are most likely to be committed,” Adams said. “Programs like this on nights and weekends keep our young people in safe places and away from gun violence, and builds trust between police, community, and our youth.”
Saturday Night Lights operates at nearly 140 locations across the city, and the new Washington Heights ball field is the latest addition.
Find out what's happening in Washington Heights-Inwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The renovations began in January 2024 and were funded with $300,000 in public asset forfeiture funds and $82,000 from the Police Athletic League, Adams said.
The new center is located just one block from the former Hilltop Park, where the Yankees used to play, back when they were known as the New York Highlanders.
“This new indoor baseball center is not just an investment in our community; it's a home run for our youth, offering them a safe space to grow, learn, and thrive,” New York State Senator Robert Jackson said.
The Police Athletic League Armory Center is located at 216 Fort Washington Ave. in Washington Heights. Learn more about Saturday Night Lights here.
For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.
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