Downtown Little League Celebrates New Season and Revamped Fields

Left: Councilman Christopher Marte throws out the ceremonial first pitch of the season following Assemblyman Charles Fall's pitch at the Downtown Little League celebration. Right: Olivia Jones, 5, was on the new turf throwing and fielding a few as well. Photos: Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib

The ceremonial start of the Downtown Little League season is always a festive, high energy occasion. But this spring, the beginning of the league’s 33rd season on Friday, was something special. Kids and parents gathered on the bright green, freshly laid turf of the newly reopened Battery Park City ball fields.

Closed last November for a much-needed upgrade, the fields also sport more protective netting, new batting cages and outfield fencing, a reconditioned pedestrian path and new water misters and water bottle filling station.

“They did such a good job,” said Jay LaMonica, a coach who was in charge of a big “Thank You” poster to the Battery Park City Authority for kids to sign. “I know it took them a little bit longer because of the winter, but it came out really, really nice.” 

The Downtown Little League is now one of the biggest Little Leagues in the country, with nearly 1,100 kids, 400 volunteers and 90 softball and baseball teams. For many Downtown Little League and Downtown Soccer League parents, the ball fields are the center of community life in Lower Manhattan.

“This is literally the heart of it right here.” said Lamarr Jones, the father of two Downtown Little Leaguers. “Events like this are exactly what makes this place special.”

Below are more photos of the event.