Fans are anxious to get back to watching America”™s favorite pastime in person and Dutchess Stadium isn”™t going to disappoint. Now that statewide coronavirus restrictions have been knocked out of the ballpark, fans will also see a new addition to their favorite team”™s uniforms: pinstripes.
On June 14, the Dutchess County Legislature”™s “yea” vote to sign a 25-year agreement with The Renegades and to move forward with proposed upgrades to the stadium assured the franchise owners that the Class-A Minor League team will remain at Dutchess Stadium through 2046. The Renegades are part of Goldklang Group”™s holdings; Marvin Goldklang, the company”™s principal, is a minority owner of the New York Yankees.
The team has called the Route 9D ballpark home since it was first opened in 1994. Originally owned by Hudson Valley Stadium Corp., Dutchess County bought it in 1995. The Hudson Valley Renegades had been a Class A short-season affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays for several years until it agreed in 2020 to become the new Class A farm team for the New York Yankees, which also extended the playing season to 140 games ”” 66 at home ”” from April through September.
The team”™s new status is expected to bring even more visitors and revenue to the 27-year-old ballpark as the players go to bat against other MLB-affiliated challengers.
It”™s not just baseball that attracts people to “The Dutch” ”” concerts and special events that run the gamut, from Bob Dylan to Christmas in July, have kept them coming back for more. It is considered the jewel of Dutchess County”™s Park system and has been the beneficiary of several upgrades since 2018, including new seating in the 4,500-seat ballpark; paving work done to its 1,000-space parking lot; and the installation of LED lighting.
On June 14, the Dutchess County Legislature approved the 25-year lease agreement with the team and $12.5 million in improvements to The Renegades”™ home ballpark. Upgrades are to include new umpire locker rooms, pitching/batting areas, a visitor”™s clubhouse, a family meeting room and new signs along Interstate 84. The bump in amenities for both fans and players will also bring the stadium up to Minor League Baseball stadium standards.
The county legislature recently negotiated a settlement to buy the land under the stadium from the Beacon School District for $627,000. Voters approved the $627,000 sale of the 33 acres in May. Funding for the purchase will come from the $57 million the county received through the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.
A portion of that funding is slated to be dedicated to the “Dutchess County Invests” initiative, announced on June 2. The county expects to use $17 million of the one-time federal funding to upgrade the county”™s parks, which includes the improvements to the stadium.
“Dutchess Stadium remains an economic engine for our county, employing our neighbors, attracting thousands of visitors from throughout the region and adding revenue, which offsets taxes for county residents and businesses,” County Executive Marc Molinaro said prior to the legislators”™ approval.
The Renegades returned to the stadium for their first home game on June 15 with a 6-5 win over the Jersey Shore BlueClaws.
