The Beginning
The Rome Baseball Association, Inc. (RBAI) project began in the spring of 1997, driven by the deactivation of Griffiss Air Force Base and the need for a quality baseball facility in Rome, New York. With support from local businesses, leaders, volunteers, and the Oneida-Herkimer Community Foundation, a group raised the funding to build four state-of-the-art baseball fields on a 20-acre site at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park. Larry DeLutis, a prominent figure in Rome baseball for over 36 years, played a key role in the project but tragically passed away in May 1997 before seeing its completion. In his honor, the RBAI Board of Directors named the first field after him.
Larry DeLutis Field opened for play on June 28, 1998 with a game between the Rome Indians and the Schenectady Mohawks of the Northeast Collegiate Baseball League. In the Spring of 1999, a state of the art lighting system was installe on the main field. On May 23, 1999, the first night game in Rome in over 50 years was played at DeLutis field between Rome Free Academy and Rome Catholic High School
In July 2003, our 2nd field opened for play. The field was named Volunteer Field in honor of all those who were responsible for its construction. Volunteer Field, being similar in dimensions to Larry DeLutis Field, is suitable for middle school, high school, collegiate, and adult levels of baseball
In June of 2008, the RBAI opened its new 3rd Field to accommodate a Cal Ripken/Little League size field which now gives us the ability to serve youth of all ages. We named this field Freedom Field
In the spring of 2013, the RBAI's fourth field: Legacy Field. With its Green Monster-like wall in left field, Legacy Field provides a unique playing experience to players. This field is designed to serve youth ages 13-18
