New fields for Grant Park in Hewlett

Players and officials from the Hewlett-Woodmere and Lynbrook Little Leagues had a bit more giddy-up in their steps last Saturday, the opening day for three new synthetic-turf fields at Nassau County’s Grant Park in Hewlett.

The new $2.7 million athletic complex includes an enclosed batting cage — also with a synthetic surface — new restrooms and an adult body-weight-workout area with five stations. The county’s Capital Improvement Plan funded the project.

The regulation Little League fields have 60-foot baselines and measure 200 feet to straightaway center field, and can also accommodate girls’ softball games.

The Hewlett-Woodmere league uses Grant Park as its home fields. “Compared with what the old fields were covered in — rocks and goose poop — this is state-of-the-art,” said Alan Krull, a league coach, “and the kids can’t wait to play on these new fields.”

The league, which has been playing at the county’s North Woodmere Park this season, will play a majority of its playoffs games, its championship and All-Star games on the new fields, Krull said.

Construction began last August and took about seven months. In addition to the new turf, there are covered, fenced dugouts. “It represents an opportunity for the kids to play and the coaches to teach the game in a safer environment,” said Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, who also mentioned the rocks and other hazards on the old fields. A new drainage system is expected to eliminate the large pools of water that formed on the old fields after rainstorms.

Little Leagues can use the fields for free; other teams with players under 17 will be charged $12 per hour, while adult for-profit leagues will pay $24 per hour. County officials hope that the synthetic fields increase use and thereby generate more revenue. They also anticipate a savings in maintenance costs.

“The county anticipates the fields will be extremely popular with many leagues, as these fields are usable in all weather conditions,” said Mike Martino, spokesman for the county Department of Public Works.

Getting to play on brand new fields that will produce clean bounces and be void of hazards excited the players. The two Little Leagues played a scrimmage after the ribbon cutting. “The turf is great — there will be no hard bounces and no dirt,” said Ryan Mueller, 12, a pitcher for the Lynbrook Marlins.

Justin Sprague, 12, who plays for the Lynbrook Mets — and is a Mets fan — called the new fields “amazing,” the word often associated with his favorite team. “I love it,” Sprague said about the fields. “Hits won’t go in a different direction.”

Built in 1955, the 35-acre Grant Park also has basketball, tennis, paddleball and handball courts and two picnic areas, one with horseshoe pits. There is a playground with a spray pool, a lake for fishing and a roller/ice rink.

The 52-year-old Hewlett-Woodmere Little League has made Grant Park its home since 1963. “We are really looking forward to using these fields,” League President Rich Kahn said.