In 2016, Binghamton rebranded themselves as the Rumble Ponies as part of an overall plan to remake the franchise and firmly root themselves in the city. Step two of those plans are being put in place as the team has announced plans for a $5.1 million renovation of NYSEG Stadium.
Most of the money for the renovations will be from municipal funds. The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York and the City of Binghamton will each contribute $2.5 million. The Rumble Ponies will only contribute $100,000 towards the project.
As reported by the Press & Sun Bulletin, the planed renovations include “new seats, structural and system upgrades, turf replacement, new video boards, a new sound system, a renovated home clubhouse, and new fencing and netting.” The plan is for the renovation to begin before the end of the year with the renovations being completed before the April 1 home opener.
In addition to the upgrades, the Rumble Ponies have announced they have extended their lease through the 2026 season. On the announcement State Senator Fred Akshar said, “Today is definitely a great day, not only for this community, but a great day for Binghamton baseball. Today we are here to announce that baseball is going to be here for an extended period of time.”
In addition to announcing the renovation plans to NYSEG Stadium, the Rumble Ponies announced they have extended their player development agreement through 2022. Mets farm director Ian Levin believes the Mets and Rumble Ponies partnership will last longer than that:
We’re New York-based and to have affiliates in New York – I drove here today, for example – having something so close, it means a lot because we want to represent the entire area. Having a team here in Binghamton, we now have our Triple-A team in Syracuse, it’s big for us, so that relationship is outstanding.
With Binghamton renovating their stadium, the Mets now how three minor league affiliates undergoing renovations to their ballparks. First Data Field, the home of the St. Lucie Mets, is undergoing a $55 million renovation project, and NBT Bank Stadium, the home of the Syracuse Mets, is currently undergoing a $25 million renovation project.
