Mayor Adams opens Washington Heights indoor baseball hub for youth

In a bold move to provide more opportunities for youth and enhance community safety, Mayor Eric Adams announced the opening of New York City’s first indoor baseball center in Washington Heights on December 14, 2024.

Located at the Police Athletic League Armory Center on Fort Washington Avenue, the 4,500-square-foot facility will offer free year-round programming for young people, focusing on sports as a tool to foster positive development and community engagement.

The facility, which features a fully-turfed gym, batting cages, and advanced equipment such as baseball and golf simulators, is a result of a $382,000 renovation funded through a public-private partnership. This includes $300,000 in asset forfeiture funds and $82,000 from the Police Athletic League. The project also received significant support from The DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation and Local Initiatives Support Corporation, which provided funding for the center’s state-of-the-art sports equipment.

“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,” said Mayor Adams. “Every young person should have an opportunity to thrive, and through programs like Saturday Night Lights, our Summer Youth Employment Programs, the Mentorship and Advocacy Program, and more, we are helping give our kids alternatives and opportunities.”

The center is part of the city’s broader initiative to provide safe, supervised spaces for youth on Saturday nights, a period historically associated with higher crime rates. Saturday Night Lights, a citywide program launched in 2011 and expanded in 2019, offers free sports programming for young people between the ages of 11 and 18, aiming to build trust between youth and law enforcement while providing meaningful development opportunities.

Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chauncey Parker emphasized the importance of such spaces in creating safer communities. “This center, like all of our Saturday Night Lights locations, is more than just a place for young people to play sports; it’s a pathway to greater opportunities and brighter futures,” Parker said.

The center’s location in Washington Heights is especially symbolic, being just a block away from the former site of Hilltop Park, the original home of the New York Yankees. The initiative also ties into broader efforts to keep kids engaged and off the streets, fostering physical and social development.

New York State Senator Robert Jackson praised the center, calling it “a home run for our youth, offering them a safe space to grow, learn, and thrive,” while Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar highlighted the significance of the facility for local youth, noting that it provides children in Upper Manhattan the chance to play baseball year-round.

The city has also launched a new website for the Saturday Night Lights program, which includes online and in-person registration and an updated map of participating locations, ensuring better access for families to connect with these critical resources.

The Adams administration has made youth development a priority, with investments such as more than 15,000 apprenticeship opportunities, $4.2 million for youth sports programming, and continued expansion of key programs like Summer Youth Employment and FutureReadyNYC.

Councilmembers Carmen De La Rosa and Althea Stevens echoed their support for continued investments in youth programs, stressing the importance of mentorship and athletic opportunities in shaping a positive future for the city’s young people.

With this new indoor baseball center, the city continues to prove its commitment to providing youth with safe spaces to grow, learn, and ultimately succeed. The project represents a step forward in New York City’s efforts to keep young people engaged and safe, while also fostering stronger community bonds.