Heckscher Ballfields

The Heckscher fields are the oldest in Central Park and are the first example of a portion of the park designated for sports (Central Park online).
A few years ago these fields were closed because they were in desperate need of repair. I played on those fields and they were terrible. The infields were bumpy and god forbid it rained because you’d be playing in a puddle riddled sandpit (I have funny memories of a teammate scooping water out of the hole that was home plate and players running around second to avoid puddles). And, at the time there was nowhere for spectators to sit and watch the games.
Fast forward a few years.
My team played here tonight and I am thoroughly impressed with the new fields! The infield was immaculate and looked as if someone had raked it. It was also no longer a sandpit, was level, and seemed to be a mixture of dirt and sand and was quite cushy. Also, there was not much of a crazy bounce on the balls hit in the infield. Plus, now each field has sturdy wooden bleachers protected by fencing so passers by and your fellow teammates have somewhere to sit.
The outfields and grass are a lush oasis*…not a speck of garbage anywhere. Kudos to the staff that keep the park and fields so clean.
There are still six fields who’s outfields back up to one another, which can make it hard if you’re an outfielder, but teams manage.
I still can’t get over how quiet it is, even at this end of the park. I guess the lush trees do an excellent job of insulating sound.
Cooler temperatures, good friends and softball in Central Park… it really doesn’t get any better than this.
*Note to sunbathers: sitting in the outfields is probably *not* the best place to relax and catch some rays. The Park is huge… go somewhere else… or get hit by the random softball.