Workers are busy at Mirabito Stadium in downtown Binghamton with a couple of major projects that must be completed by the start of the baseball season in early April.

Binghamton Rumble Ponies owner David Sobotka said activity at the ballpark "has really accelerated over the last few weeks."

Sobotka told WNBF News on Friday that the biggest project now underway will address some drainage problems in the stadium and on the field.

Heavy equipment is being used to dig holes so temporary water storage tanks can be installed. The tanks will capture water that would otherwise remain on the field and in the area of the dugouts.

Temporary water storage tanks will be used to improve drainage at Mirabito Stadium. Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Temporary water storage tanks will be used to improve drainage at Mirabito Stadium. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
loading...

Sobotka said games have been canceled due to rain that occurred hours before the scheduled starting time. He said "from a professional baseball standpoint, that's just not really acceptable."

While the fans may not actually notice the drainage system improvements, Sobotka said they will be able to see new scoreboards in right and left field.

A less-than-reliable scoreboard has been removed from Mirabito Stadium. Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News
A less-than-reliable scoreboard has been removed from Mirabito Stadium. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
loading...

Sobotka said although the scoreboards were replaced after the 2017 season, there had been "an unbelievable number of problems" with non-functioning panels. He said there was even one game where the scoreboard didn't function at all.

A new Daktronics scoreboard will be arriving soon. Sobotka said it's the latest-generation scoreboard available. He said he expects fans "are going to be blown away by the graphics we can put together for their entertainment."

The Rumble Ponies will open their season at home when they host the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Friday, April 5. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

VIDEO: Construction crews working at Mirabito Stadium on February 12, 2023.

99.1 The Whale logo
Enter your number to get our free mobile app

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

LOOK: 52 Black actors who made entertainment history

Stacker presents over 50 Black actors whose performances broke barriers and made entertainment history.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

LOOK: Controversial songs from the year you were born

Stacker celebrates history's most boundary-pushing—and thereby controversial—songs from 1930 through today.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

Best Looking State Patrol Cars In (Almost) Every State

For the past 10 years, the American Association of State Troopers has held a contest to determine which state has the best looking patrol cruiser. Nearly every state police agency submits their best photo of their sharpest patrol vehicle a chance to win the coveted cover photo on the association's annual calendar. From cop cars rushing through blizzards to vehicles on the Grand Ole Opry stage, here are this year's nominees.

Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll

More From 99.1 The Whale