For the past few weeks, I have had work commitments in Brooklyn, NY. Luckily for me, my work assignments ran from early morning to early afternoon, so I had free time to roam the city and surrounding areas of my hotel for…you guessed it – Baseball stuff. Sure there are record stores, souvenir shoppes, clothing stores, plenty of eclectic distributors of everything imaginable, and tons of eateries, bars, and cafes. I hit some of those eateries and bars along the way to and from my baseball destinations. (In a previous blog, I mentioned O’Neils Restaurant in Maspeth.) Using an aerial view of my hotel and surrounding areas, I was able to pinpoint several fields of interest within walking distance. And set out most afternoons on a walking tour of some of Brooklyn’s baseball fields and recreational complexes. Here is what I discovered on my walking tours of Brooklyn baseball fields:

Roughly a mile from my hotel in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn (where my work took me last week), I walked down Metropolitan Avenue, left on Havenmeyer, then right on Division Ave to the home of Roberto Clemente Ballfield. As I was decelerating down the hill on Division, I noticed a game going on, a kickball game. Adults playing a kids game, kind of like baseball. Actually the game of kickball is a lot like baseball, so I sat down and watched a few innings. Roberto Clemente Little League has a scoreboard next to the dugout and another one out in left field. The field has a view of the East River and the huge, I mean huge buildings that run along Kent Avenue. Very cool stop, even though I was hoping for something more baseball related given that the park’s namesake is quite possibly the greatest right fielder to have ever played professional baseball.

Literally down the street from my hotel, McCarren Park is a massive recreation area with tons of people and activities. Volleyball games, dogs catching frisbees, picnic blankets everywhere, running track, tennis courts, handball courts, and in one section of the park – baseball diamonds. And kickball games were being played here as well. Adults out for a fun night with co-workers, neighbors, friends – I loved it and I watched a few innings at this park as well. And got an ice cream cone for the walk back to the hotel. Win, win.

I mentioned eateries and bars before as part of my Brooklyn baseball walking tour. I stopped in at Roebling Sporting Club for dinner and a beer a few times on my trip. It had a great menu, local beer selections, and some really cool sports memorabilia. Not a huge Yankee fan, as you may know, but their posters and photos were pretty captivating to say the least. 225 N 8th St, you should check it out if you are in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn.

Going back a few weeks, I walked up from my hotel (this week I stayed in Maspeth) to Juniper Valley Park to check out their walking track, park, and baseball fields. I started along the walking trail and walked the perimeter of the park, stopping to talk to a few dog owners along the way. On the fields that were passed the walking path, there were teams practicing, kids playing catch, baseball activities happening. That was cool to witness. As I made my way around the two “big” fields, I was slightly disappointed that both were locked up. I understand, knowing full well the principle behind it, it just would have been cool to walk out on the field, in the dugouts, and get a closer look. The “big” fields were labeled “Oriole Field” and “Cardinal Field.” There was a batting cage that I was able to check out closer. I’m sure in their heydeys, these parks were really awesome to play on. And those heydeys could very well have been recently in 2023 and maybe the field’s seasons were over for the year, I don’t know.

Another recreational park I visited on my first trip was Frank Principe Athletic Fields, which was literally down the street from my hotel in Maspeth. Huge turf fields being utilized for soccer and baseball practices, tennis and basketball courts, playground, walking path, track that ran the perimeter of the fields, and a baseball diamond on the blacktop. I stopped in to check out the baseball diamond, which had an outfield fence, lights (not sure if they worked) dugouts, baselines – the works. As I was leaving the park, I casually observed a baseball practice happening in one corner of the field opposite a soccer game/practice going on. Share the space, its for everyone.

I mentioned the tall buildings and structures earlier and had to stop a few times to take photos of how massive things are in NY. Much bigger than this small town writer is used to, for sure. Yes, you can call me small town, I am not offended one bit.

I did a ton of walking. I guess because I didn’t drive to the city for work, I elected to take the train and use ride sharing services to get around. I must have walked 4 to 5 miles a day on my baseball walking tours of Brooklyn and Queens. Good exercise, lots of hills, lots of foot traffic to watch out for, gotta keep your eyes open at all times or you will miss something interesting in Brooklyn and Queens for sure. It was really cool seeing how these baseball fields were being used as multipurpose athletic fields for stuff like doggie frisbee, kickball, and just hanging out with friends. Would I have liked to have seen a ball game or two? Sure, but I in reality I did. Kickball leagues are alive and well in NYC and I enjoyed every pitch, kick, and out I witnessed.

My trip to the Bronx, well…that is for another blog.