Bronx Borough president Ruben Diaz Jr. allocates $400,000 for solar panels and LED lights at Throgs Neck little league field

Bronx Borough president Ruben Diaz Jr. allocates $400,000 for solar panels and LED lights at Throgs Neck little league field
File Photo

The Throgs Neck Little League is taking steps to go green following a $400,000 grant for solar panels and new LED lights at the ballfield.

The grant was obtained through Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.

League president Frank Eisele said he and Diaz discussed the field in January. Eisele explained there were issues with the generator and lighting.

“The Throgs Neck Little League has helped thousands of youngsters throughout the years, and I am proud to be able to help this wonderful institution today. This lighting upgrade will not only help make the league’s facilities more energy efficient, it will save them money in the long run as well. I am proud to have been able to provide $400,000 in capital funds for this project this year, and I look forward to enjoying a game ‘under the lights’ when this renovation is complete,” said Borough President Diaz.

The TNLL has also had some good news on the baseball diamond.

The little league swept the District League Championships for ages 9-10 and ages 11 at the Little League, Junior League and Senior League levels.

Eisele said the victories were a “tremendous accomplishment” for the league.

Players and managers from the team were then invited to Yankee stadium on Sunday, July 17 where they got to step onto the field before watching the Bronx Bombers play the Red Sox.

The players even got to appear on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball through an interview with ESPN’s baseball reporter Tim Kurkjian.

Eisele said the league will put the solar panels and lighting contracts out to bid.

The entire project cost will be approximately $875,000 according to Eisele.

He hopes to obtain additional funding through private donations and grants from local, state and federal electeds.

Eisele expects the light installation by next spring and said Diaz could possibly throw out the first pitch next year.

The Throgs Neck Little League has been around since 1952 when it was first established as the Northeast Bronx Little League.

The following year it was taken over by Leo Vitti who eventually partnered with Robert Jonap to run the league for over 50 years.

The fields on which the little leaguers play, and where the lights will be installed, are now called the Leo Vitti & Robert Jonap Memorial Fields.