Big Construction Projects Underway at Binghamton Baseball Stadium

Workers are busy at Mirabito Stadium in downtown Binghamton with a couple of major projects that must be completed by the start of the baseball season in early April.

Binghamton Rumble Ponies owner David Sobotka said activity at the ballpark "has really accelerated over the last few weeks."

Sobotka told WNBF News on Friday that the biggest project now underway will address some drainage problems in the stadium and on the field.

Heavy equipment is being used to dig holes so temporary water storage tanks can be installed. The tanks will capture water that would otherwise remain on the field and in the area of the dugouts.

Sobotka said games have been canceled due to rain that occurred hours before the scheduled starting time. He said "from a professional baseball standpoint, that's just not really acceptable."

While the fans may not actually notice the drainage system improvements, Sobotka said they will be able to see new scoreboards in right and left field.

Sobotka said although the scoreboards were replaced after the 2017 season, there had been "an unbelievable number of problems" with non-functioning panels. He said there was even one game where the scoreboard didn't function at all.

A new Daktronics scoreboard will be arriving soon. Sobotka said it's the latest-generation scoreboard available. He said he expects fans "are going to be blown away by the graphics we can put together for their entertainment."

The Rumble Ponies will open their season at home when they host the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Friday, April 5. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

VIDEO: Construction crews working at Mirabito Stadium on February 12, 2023.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.