#De Blasio announces deal to revive Staten Island stadium with new baseball team

Play ball!

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a deal Friday to reopen the shuttered Staten Island Yankees stadium with a new professional baseball team next year.

The waterfront Richmond County Bank Ballpark will be the home of a new team from the independent Atlantic League, which currently has eight organizations from the eastern United States including the Long Island Ducks. Major League Baseball recently acquired a franchise in the local league.

As The Post first reported, local elected officials and community members will be involved in naming the new team that’s back by a group of local investors including supermarket mogul John Catsimatides and Merrill Lynch alum Dany Garcia.

“This is one of the most exciting ventures I have ever been a part of,” said Catsimatidis. “We will bring family entertainment back to the people of Staten Island, boost the local economy and see our team conquer the Atlantic League.”

De Blasio added, “Baseball is back on Staten Island.”

“This ballpark has the potential to unite Staten Islanders around the home team and attract visitors from across the city and the region. We’re proud to secure a long-term future for this venue and build a recovery for all of us on Staten Island,” Hizzoner said.

The stadium will get upgrades ahead of the 2022 season including synthetic turf, seating and concourse upgrades. The ballpark is owned by the city and will be leased to the investment group.

The stadium also plans to have concerts and other community events.