Mirabito Stadium

Mirabito Stadium
Map
Former namesBinghamton Municipal Stadium (1992–2001)
NYSEG Stadium (2001–2021)
Location211 Henry Street
Binghamton, New York 13901
Coordinates42°06′10″N 75°54′18″W / 42.102769°N 75.904988°W / 42.102769; -75.904988
OwnerCity of Binghamton
OperatorBinghamton Baseball Club, Inc.
Capacity6,012[1]
Record attendance7,491[3]
Field sizeLeft Field: 330 feet (100 m)
Center Field: 400 feet (120 m)
Right Field: 330 feet (100 m)
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke groundJuly 19, 1991[1]
OpenedApril 14, 1992[1]
Construction cost$4.6 million
($9.99 million in 2023 dollars[2])
ArchitectHighland Associates[1]
General contractorGarbade Construction Corp.[1]
Tenants
Binghamton Rumble Ponies (EL/DAN) (1992–present)

Mirabito Stadium (formerly known as Binghamton Municipal Stadium and NYSEG Stadium) is a stadium located in the northern section of downtown Binghamton, New York. It is home to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies of the Eastern League. Construction began in July 1991 after it was announced that the Williamsport Bills would be moving from Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The ballpark opened the following season, in April 1992, and has a seating capacity of 6,012 fans.

The stadium is named for Mirabito Energy Products, a local chain of gas stations and convenience stores, and was given the name in 2021.

Features

Stadium exterior in 2007

The stadium is a split-level construction, with a concourse running around the middle of the seating area. The lower section closest to the field (8-10 rows) is all box seats; above the concourse, the first few rows around home plate are also considered box seats. The rest of the upper section is "reserved grandstand" seating. All seats are blue chair-back models. Six luxury boxes and the press box are located at the top of the seating bowl behind home plate. A small roof covers the luxury boxes and the top few rows of the grandstand seats.

Four tunnels allow access between the seating area and the concourse which runs underneath. This is where concessions and restrooms are located. There is also a group picnic area down the left-field line which can be rented out, as well as "Lupo's Dugout", another picnic area in right field which is sponsored by a local restaurant.[4]

The stadium was known as simply Binghamton Municipal Stadium for its first nine years of existence, but in March 2001, the naming rights were sold for 20 years to New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG), the local electric and gas utility.[5] In 2021, after NYSEG's agreement had expired, the naming rights were sold to Mirabito Energy Products.[6]

Notable events

On July 11, 1994, the ballpark hosted the Double-A All-Star Game in which a team of American League-affiliated All-Stars defeated a team of National League-affiliated All-Stars, 10–4, before 6,543 people in attendance.[7]

The Mets' Bob Keppel pitched the first no-hitter in franchise history at NYSEG Stadium on August 2, 2003.[8]

A record crowd of 7,491 gathered to watch Max Scherzer throw a rehab assignment for the Double-AA Binghamton Rumble Ponies on June 21, 2022. Scherzer struck out six over 3 1/3 innings, giving up two earned runs.[3]

A night baseball game in progress in a small outdoor baseball stadium.
The Binghamton Mets on the field against the Harrisburg Senators in September 2010

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Knight, Graham (September 17, 2010). "NYSEG Stadium". Baseball Pilgrimages. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  2. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Stevens, Kevin (June 21, 2022). "New York Mets ace Max Scherzer checks all boxes in Binghamton rehab start". Press & Sun-Bulletin. Retrieved June 23, 2022 – via North Jersey Media Group.
  4. ^ MacMillan, Malcolm. "What to Eat at NYSEG Stadium". The Ballpark Guide. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  5. ^ Lauber, Scott (March 23, 2001). "NYSEG Stadium: New Name, Same Home for B-Mets". Press & Sun-Bulletin. Binghamton. p. A1. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  6. ^ "'Mirabito Stadium' is the new name of the Rumble Ponies' home". WBNG. May 28, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  7. ^ Rosenberg, Cheryl (July 12, 1994). "AL Rides Homers". Press and Sun-Bulletin. Binghamton. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Lauber, Scott (August 4, 2003). "Pride Motivating Force in Keppel's No-Hitter". Press & Sun-Bulletin. Binghamton. p. D3. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
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