Boys Of Summer Spring Training At Roosevelt Island Pony Field - Sound Of Wooden Bat Hitting Baseball Is Sign Life Returning And Better Times Coming Soon

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Corporate & Zog Softball Teams Return To Roosevelt Island Playing Fields - Review Pony Field, Then Relax With A Nitecap At Riverwalk Bar & Grill

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Opening day of the baseball season returns on Sunday night at Fenway Park with the Yankees playing the Red Sox. Great way to start off the season. On Roosevelt Island, like MLB and the Swallows to Capistrano, the corporate and Zog softball players have returned as well.

A softball player from Brooklyn had this to say about playing on Roosevelt Island's Pony Field according to a Yelp review:

... Pony Field is one of three softball/baseball fields on Roosevelt Island and the farthest to get to. Hoof it on foot through the Soviet-era Russia-esque buildings "downtown," or take the bus for .25 cents. I'm not sure about parking around the field, as I think most may be by permit only.

This field is pretty decent as far as fields go. It used to be one of the most run down (read: weeds) and neglected fields on the island, but within the past few years it has been resurrected. There are new dugouts for players and aluminum tiered benches for fans. The infield is a sandy-dirt mixture and the outfield is fairly even and maintained. There are also nearby bathrooms, which are, ah, best described as "meh."

One thing that RI has going for it are the spectacular NYC skyline views and sunsets....which, after taking in, makes the long F train ride back to Brooklyn pretty okay in my book....

I spoke with a Yahoo softball player the other night at the Riverwalk Bar & Grill who told me the same thing as the Yelp reviewer and added that the field was comparable to others he played on including those in Central Park.

Some of the softball players and others were relaxing after a game last night at the Riverwalk Bar & Grill outdoor seating area.

More on Roosevelt Island playing fields from RIOC.

Some Hope For Residents Use of Roosevelt Island Playing Fields Over Corporate Zog

Sign at Capobianco Field

An issue of great concern and resentment by many Roosevelt Islanders has been RIOC's policy that use of the Roosevelt Island playing fields is by permit only. The result of this policy has been that these fields are rented out to corporate groups and leagues, such as Zog, effectively locking out resident adults and children from using these fields during prime playing hours.

This subject came up at the RIOC Board Nominee Candidate's Forum as reported by Press HD.

What is your position on renting out the island's green space? from PressHD

Responding to these concerns RIOC has developed a schedule that permits residents to use the fields without permits.

riplayingfieldavailability - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: riplayingfieldavailability

Green = Available for Residents

Red = Permitted Out

I do not know if the playing times for residents without permits is available only so long as these times are not permitted out to Zog and others or if these playing times are precluded from being reserved by permits.