Yankees announce Summer Night Lights program for Bronx youth

The New York Yankees today announced the new Summer Night Lights Program which will take place this summer in conjunction with Major League Baseball’s PLAY BALL initiative.

The Yankees will be teaming up with the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) Blue Chips Program, NYC Parks, the New York City Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD), The Players Alliance, PitCCh In Foundation, SCAN-Harbor and Poland Spring® Spring Water to implement this initiative designed to keep area young people engaged in recreation and character-promoting activities on summer evenings.

On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from July 11 through the end of August, approximately 300 young people from the Bronx between the ages of 12 and 18 will have the opportunity to take part in tournament-style, co-ed baseball and softball games at Elston Gene Howard Field, which is located on the site of the original Yankee Stadium. The nighttime schedule was chosen to supplement the limited number of organized evening activities available to young people during the summer.

Summer Night Lights is a collective effort to encourage youth to engage in baseball-related activities that demonstrate the positive way the game can serve as an outlet for recreation, social responsibility and healthy competition. Additionally, by gathering young individuals from all areas of the Bronx, artificial and territorial boundaries can be shattered in a way meant to bring communities together.

The day-to-day aspects of the program will be organized by the NYPD Blue Chips Program and the NYC DYCD.

Prior to the Saturday, June 10 game vs. the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees held a pregame ceremony to commemorate the initiative. A photo from the ceremony can be found here.

The support of the PitCCh In Foundation and The Players Alliance is part of their “JR 4 THE BX” partnership with the Yankees, in which funding directly from 2023 Yankees players and coaches will be used to support baseball access-related programming, including Summer Night Lights and additional community and youth service initiatives within and throughout the Bronx. The “JR 4 THE BX” program is inspired by the legacy of Jackie Robinson and fuels player-driven solutions to barriers in the game.

“Keeping young people safe and engaged during the summer is a priority of this administration, and Summer Night Lights is another great example of cross-agency collaboration and community partnerships to get that done,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “The Yankees have always stepped up to the plate to provide New Yorkers with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, and we thank them and the Summer Night Lights partners for connecting hundreds of Bronx young people to America’s pastime.”

“The Yankees are committed to positively impacting the health and wellness of our borough, and Summer Night Lights will provide a meaningful outlet of activity for Bronx young people who are at such a pivotal time in their lives,” said Yankees Senior Vice President of Corporate/Community Relations Brian Smith. “In working alongside the NYPD Blue Chips program, we have seen the incredible difference it has made in positively changing the trajectory of young lives in the five boroughs. We are excited to bring this concept next door to our home and deeply appreciate the support and commitment of the DYCD, NYC Parks, The Players Alliance and the PitCCh In Foundation in getting this initiative off the ground.”

“The Players Alliance and PitCCh In are fortunate to be supported by donors and fans from all over the country, but it’s extra special when the support comes from the brotherhood,” said CC Sabathia, Board Vice-Chair of The Players Alliance and PitCCh In Co-Founder. “Their gifts say they're committed to making a difference in the Bronx and they're trusting us to do it."

“As someone who grew up just a few blocks from Yankee Stadium, I couldn’t be more thrilled than to have DYCD team up with the Bronx Bombers on Summer Night Lights,” said New York City Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD) Commissioner Keith Howard. “So many kids dream about playing on the hallowed ground where Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle, DiMaggio, Jackson, Jeter and Rivera became legends at the original Yankee Stadium site. This summer, 300 young people will have the opportunity to do just that. DYCD is proud to partner with the NYPD, NYC Parks, The Players Alliance, PitCCh In Foundation, SCAN-Harbor and Poland Spring® Spring Water in providing a field of dreams for Bronx youth.”

“Summer Night Lights provides a vital space for young people across the Bronx to come together for some friendly competition, right next door to Yankee Stadium,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “This initiative is a great example of how lively, safe public spaces can build community, promote wellness, and spread joy. We’re grateful to the Yankees and the other program partners and are proud to be a part of this initiative."