Staten Island Yankees, Richmond County Savings Bank agree to ballpark naming rights extension

The Staten Island Yankees and Richmond County Savings Bank have announced a new naming rights extension for the Baby Bombers waterfront venue that will now run through 2019.

Originally opened in 2001, the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George will keep its name for another five years, team and bank officials announced during a press conference held at the ballpark on Friday, Jan. 30. The new naming rights deal reinforces the strong, long-standing relationship between the Staten Island Yankees and Richmond County Savings Bank, as well as the commitment to developing the community of St. George.

"The extension of this agreement represents our continuing commitment to the Staten Island Yankees and the development of the St. George community," said Michael F. Manzulli, Chairman of the Richmond County Savings Bank Division of New York Community Bank. "The fact that we will be able to continue this relationship in the coming years and participate in the exciting development of the St. George area is particularly gratifying."

The continuity of having Richmond County Saving Bank as the staple sponosor of the Baby Bombers ballpark for nearly two decades is something that has not been lost on the Staten Island Yankees leadership.

"In today's fast-paced world, relationships come and go," said Staten Island Yankees co-owner Glenn Reicin. "[Richmond County Savings Bank] had faith in us in the very beginning, and that relationship has only grown stronger over time."

Staten Island Yankees CEO Steve Violetta echoed Reicin's sentiments regarding the long-standing relationship between the team and bank.

"In this era of ever-changing alliances, it is truly special for two organizations to have a relationship that spans 20 years," said Violetta.

Before moving into their beautiful new 7,171-seat home in St. George, the Staten Island Yankees played their first two seasons in the humble baseball venue at the College of Staten Island. Since moving into the waterfront venue in 2001, the Baby Bombers have captured the New York-Penn League title five times, more than any other team during that time span.

"Bringing the Staten Island Yankees to St. George was a proud moment for me," said Guy V. Molinari, Director of Richmond County Savings Bank Division of NYCB and former Borough President of Staten Island. "Working closely with the New York Yankees, the Mayor of the City of New York and Richmond County Savings Bank, we were able to make this happen."

While past success has brought lots of attention to the team, it's the current and future development of the St. George area, as well as all throughout Staten Island, that's been the topic of conversation for many in the area.

"When the deal was struck more than 15 years ago to bring the Staten Island Yankees to Staten Island, there were many who questioned how Staten Island would benefit and if the investment was worth the risk," said Staten Island Yankees co-owner Nick Tiller. "As I stand before you here today, in this beautiful setting overlooking Manhattan with one billion dollars worth of private development set to take place on the waterfront both to the north and south of us, I say that the investment was definitely worth it."