Senator Portantino Secures $2M for Glendale’s Stengel Baseball Field Restoration
For Immediate Release: July 5, 2022
Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400
Senator Portantino Secures $2M for Glendale’s Stengel Baseball Field Restoration
Sacramento, CA - State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) announced today that his budget request of $2 million to the City of Glendale for the restoration of the landmark Casey Stengel Baseball Field was approved in the 2022-2023 State Budget. The funds will provide critical improvements to the historic field that has served Glendale families and youth for decades.
“I am happy to help garner funds to restore our landmark baseball field here in Glendale,” stated Senator Portantino. “Casey Stengel Field has been around for decades and with the upcoming restoration, it can continue serving the community.”
The Casey Stengel Field is a historic baseball facility in Glendale. Originally named the Verdugo Park Municipal Baseball Field, it was first opened in 1949. On November 12, 1952, the field was renamed "Stengel Field" to honor the baseball giant and Glendale resident. Stengel was a Major League Baseball right fielder and manager, best known as the manager of the championship New York Yankees of the 1950s and later, the expansion New York Mets. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966.
“Stengel Field is not only one of Glendale’s best baseball fields, but also a historic gem,” stated Glendale Mayor Ardashes “Ardy” Kassakhian. “We are grateful that Senator Portantino recognized this and once again came through for us, providing the necessary funds to upgrade and renovate our beloved ball park!”
Home of the Glendale College Vaquero Baseball, Crescenta Valley High Baseball, and Glendale Area Youth Baseball, the Stengel Field has served as a baseball haven since 1949. Its scenic setting and rich history boasts visits from the New York Yankees, USC, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Youth Area Tournaments, and Spring Training for the Chicago Cubs and other teams. The field also acts as a Glendale Parks and Recreation facility and serves the Glendale Unified School District.
While Stengel Field itself has been maintained, other areas of this historic facility are in critical need of repair. Decades of neglect have led to water damage, disintegration of infrastructure, dry rot, poor air quality, and structural deficiencies. The $2 million will be used by the City of Glendale to replace grass with synthetic turf, install a press box, and install a covering for the bleachers.
“We cannot thank Senator Portantino enough for helping preserve and restore one of Glendale’s true gems. These improvements will be used by so many in our community for generations to come,” stated Rick Dinger, President of the Glendale College Foundation.
“It is with great excitement and appreciation that we hear of funds being allocated to help in our continued efforts to preserve and improve historic Casey Stengel Field,” stated Spiro A. Psaltis, Acting President of the Stengel Field Foundation. “This venue is a special and iconic place in both the City of Glendale and the history of baseball itself for over 70 years, and continues to be one of the gems of the Jewel City, as the home of Glendale Community College baseball, Crescenta Valley High School baseball, as well as the hub for youth area baseball. We look forward to working with the City of Glendale to use these administered funds toward keeping Casey Stengel Field the showcase that it has always been, and will be, in the years to come. We at the Stengel Field Foundation extend our most sincere thanks to Senator Portantino and his staff for their efforts to provide these funds to historic Casey Stengel Field.”
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