PEEKSKILL, N.Y. Opening day is a few weeks away for the Westchester/Rockland Wood Bat League, and Peekskill Tides manager Chris Jones said his team is ready to start its 19th season.
"We appreciate all the support we get from the city, we love playing here, and we have the best facilities in the whole league," Jones said Monday.
That facility is Peekskill Stadium, located on Louisa Street just off the Route 9 exit off-ramp. The stadium, used by the Tides and the Peekskill High School team, features modern videorecording and broadcasting capabilities as well as a concessions stand and restrooms.
"Everybody enjoys coming here to play against us at the facility. And if they're lucky enough, they'll be part of a televised game," he said. "That's certainly a big draw for us as well."
The season starts in May and runs until August for the Tides. The schedule will be released before the end of this month.
The team holds several theme nights during the year as well, said director of marketing and operations Bobby Hard. One is a game honoring Lapolla Little League on Saturday, June 2. The team holds a clinic for the league one weekend during the season.
"They come down and they mingle with the players that taught them earlier in the spring," Hard said. "And they get to come out in their uniform, and they get to see themselves on TV. It's a big day for them."
A game this season will honor local old-timers, Jones added.
Unlike area minor league teams with paid players in Major League farm teams across the nation, players in the wood bat league are local residents. Most are college players from area schools such as Marist, Pace or Iona.
"We try to recruit within a 9-mile, 10-mile, 12-mile radius around. I'll stretch it if a guy's really good," Jones said.
The team is looking for help from local businesses, which can get signs or banners at the stadium in exchange for sponsorships.
Hard invited all city residents to come out to support the team this year.
"All our games are free, so it's a great time to bring the family out and enjoy some good baseball."
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