Playing under the lights could soon be reality at Sid Field

To the editor,

North Riverdale Baseball and Softball is currently seeking approval from Community Board 8 to install lights at our home field, Sid Field.

We already have widespread community support. Nearly 600 residents have signed a petition in favor, and local businesses such as Early Bird and Emiliano’s have expressed support, noting that our league brings customers through their doors on game days and whenever the field is in use.

Having lights at Sid would allow us to expand opportunities for kids in our community. With evening hours available, we could add more teams and practices, host weekday fall games and lift our registration cap to welcome more players. In practice, lights would give us just a few extra hours after sunset — all for children under age 14, which will remain the case.

While Little Leagues across the country are folding, North Riverdale Baseball and Softball is thriving. Enrollment has grown significantly in recent years. We now offer fall baseball, travel baseball and a championship softball program, which was revived in 2019 and now serves girls ages 8 to 14. These programs exist because of tireless volunteer coaches and board members who want to keep kids active, engaged and playing here in the Bronx at a reasonable cost, rather than joining expensive travel teams in Westchester. But to sustain them, we need more field time.

We pride ourselves on being good neighbors. Maintaining Sid Field and the surrounding area is part of our commitment to the community. We ask nearby residents who may have concerns to give us the benefit of the doubt — our care for the kids extends to caring for the neighborhood. As Maureen Kelly, a beloved community leader, always said: “It’s all about the kids.”

Lights would also improve safety, illuminating an area of Vinmont Park that can be very dark at night and sometimes attracts trouble. Families and coaches on site would provide an added layer of security. Traffic concerns are minimal; peak congestion occurs during school drop-off and pick-up, not after dark. Public data shows only two accidents in 14 years on the stretch of Mosholu Avenue in front of Sid Field.

If you ever played sports, you know that playing under the lights is magical. More importantly, lights at Sid would give more kids the chance to make memories with their friends on the field — instead of sitting in front of screens.

David Zarnitzky and
Jen Laurie