Photos by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
Heritage Financial Park 1500 Route 9D Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 5,400
Yankee Baseball, Hudson Valley Style
The quaint confines, nicknamed the “Dutch” by locals, obtained naming rights in March 2023 and was rebranded as Heritage Financial Park. The facility, located in Wappingers Falls, New York, became the NY Yankees High A affiliate in 2021 after being tied to the Tampa Bay Rays. The Renegades play in the High A South Atlantic League. Catcher Austin Wells and shortstop Anthony Volpe of the Yankees played at Hudson Valley and two more former Renegades (Jasson Dominguez and Oswald Peraza) are expected to join the Yankees later this season after rehabbing from injuries.
The season runs from April 5 to September 8. Saturday games typically start at 5:05 and Sundays begin at 2:05. Monday is dark with only two games scheduled all season. Gates open one hour before game time.
The facility also hosts corporate events, weddings, fundraisers, and concerts. The field received a major upgrade with new field turf being installed in the offseason. The turf is the same quality as what is used in major league stadiums. Other stadium upgrades for 2024 include: a new, state-of-the-art home clubhouse, and alongside the clubhouse there are new group spaces and seating options available. There is a new upper deck group area, outfield seating, and drink rail seating in left field, and a beautiful new group space that is available to rent out for events. There are also newer and larger bathrooms.
The enhancements allowed capacity to increase to 5,400 up from 4,494. HV averaged 2,870 in 2023.
Food & Beverage 3
The food choices are somewhat limited but at the same time, there are more alternatives than some minor league venues. There is a Mexican food stand with tacos and nachos. The loaded helmet nachos are $13.50 and tacos (chicken, beef, or bean) are $4 each or 3 for $10. Premium beers are $13 (25 oz.), Bud is $11 and cocktails are $9.50.
There are of course ballpark staples such as hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken tenders, peanuts, and french fries. Pepsi products are the beverage of choice.
Atmosphere 3
The park has a friendly vibe with plenty of people working and eager to greet. The stadium's main entrance is behind home plate and an entrance for season ticket holders is on the first base side.
As you enter the stadium the concourse divides the lower and upper sections of seats. There are nine rows of seats directly behind the plate in the 100s and 12 rows in the 200s.
The music and announcements are not too loud and the between-inning contests are popular. The Renegades employ the same four-bell chimes (Westminster Quarters) heard at Yankee Stadium for years when the Bronx Bombers score. The HV mascots are a family of raccoons with Rascal and Rosey the leaders of the pack.
Neighborhood 3
There are places to hang out before or after the game a short drive from the stadium. There are a few restaurants on 9D as you approach the venue from the south. There is a pizza place (Leo’s Italian Restaurant) a Chinese place and a salad place (Green Bowl) in the mall across the street. For local craft beers, there is Two Way Brewing and Hudson Valley Brewing (Thursday-Monday) which are located just south of the stadium in Beacon. 21 Burgers and Wings in Wappingers Falls is a good local sports bar. Sloop Brewing @ the Factory in Hopewell Junction is a popular location and only a 15-minute drive east of the stadium.
Fans 3
The stadium gets a good mix of older, young people and families. There is a hearty group of season ticket holders who attend the majority of games.
In May, the Renegades set an attendance record during a rare “weekday game”. Thirty years after the Renegades first played in Dutchess Stadium, 5,619 students, faculty, and staff from several area schools showed up on a partially rainy “Education Day” to watch the Renegades play the Jersey Shore Blue Claws.
The Renegades Team Store can be accessed via the Renegades Offices, located between the main gates & the Renegades Box Office. On game days, the Renegades Team Store is only accessible to fans inside the ballpark through the entrance next to the 3rd Base Concession Stand & across from the Family Restroom.
Access 4
The stadium itself is situated in Wappingers Falls, a village of about 6,064. The drive to Heritage Financial Park from New York City is serene and scenic, especially along Route 9 or 9D. The historic Hudson River is nearby and the ballpark is just off I-84 and minutes from the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge. The Taconic Parkway is also close by and with all of the parkway/highway access it is easy to make a Stadium Journey from upstate New York, Putnam and Westchester Counties, Connecticut, and Orange County on the west side of the Hudson. It is an hour’s drive from White Plains, only 40 minutes from Danbury, Connecticut, and 60 miles from Yankee Stadium.
Return on Investment 4
General Admission tickets along the right and left field lines for weekend games are just $10.50. Field-level, cushioned seats are $26. On our recent visit, a few of the cushioned seats were torn. Food prices are standard for the minor league but a bargain compared to the big leagues.
Parking is $10 ($7 for pre-purchase).
Extras 3
One point is for a host of promotions. Renegades has 15 fireworks shows including most Friday nights, and two on Saturday nights and runs several other enticing promotions including Sunday Family Funday which includes fun for the whole family at the ballpark including the dog. Face painters and balloon artists will be on hand.
The other fantastic promotion is the Renegades/Yankee combo. Fans who purchase tickets online for any Sunday game excluding Father’s Day include a 2024 Renegades Hat and also a ticket to the Sunday, September 29th Yankee season finale at 3:05 pm against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Point two is for the Renegades Family 4-Pack: 4 Tickets, 4 Renegades Hats, and 4 Meal Vouchers for $99.
The third point is for the new club in left field and drink rail seats and the new turf.
Final Thoughts
Heritage Financial Park is a solid venue to take in minor league baseball. The scenery is picturesque, the ballpark is cozy and the new improvements make it even more worthy of a stadium journey. And there’s always a chance to witness a future NY Yankee.