Suffolk County Baseball History Comes to Life at PAL Field of Dreams

Suffolk County baseball history now has a new home at one of the county's most recognizable youth baseball facilities.

The Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame and the Suffolk County Police Athletic League have partnered to bring local baseball history to life with a new portrait exhibit at the PAL Valero Field of Dreams Stadium in Holtsville.

The large-format exhibit is located on the centerfield fence, giving players, families and fans a chance to see the faces and stories that helped shape baseball across Suffolk County every time they visit the field.

The installation marks the 13th public exhibit created by the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame and the first to be displayed on a baseball field wall.

The exhibit highlights people, moments and stories connected to Suffolk County baseball while showcasing the connection between the Sports Hall of Fame and the PAL. Many of those featured have played an important role in the success of Suffolk County PAL, particularly its baseball programs, including coaches and players who have made a lasting impact on local youth.

"This is exactly what our exhibits are designed to do: bring Suffolk County sports history directly into the places where sports are being played and experienced," said Hall of Fame President Chris R. Vaccaro.

Vaccaro added that having the baseball exhibit on a centerfield wall makes the display particularly meaningful because young athletes will see it every time they take the field.

Suffolk County PAL Executive Director George Waldbauer, PAL Development Director Don Yorie, PAL Board Member Ken Kortright and longtime Newsday high school sports writer and editor Gregg Sarra joined Vaccaro for the unveiling.

Waldbauer, Yorie and Sarra are all inductees of the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame, creating an additional connection between the two organizations and the history featured on the wall.

"We're proud to partner with the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame on an exhibit that celebrates our county's baseball history in such a unique setting," Waldbauer said.

Yorie said the exhibit gives young players another way to connect with the people who helped build Suffolk County's baseball tradition.

The partnership is part of the Hall of Fame's ongoing effort to bring local sports history outside of a traditional museum setting and into public spaces throughout Suffolk County.

The two organizations have also worked together on a Leadership Institute connecting young people with Hall of Fame inductees and other accomplished leaders. The program focuses on personal growth, leadership, perseverance and Suffolk County sports history.

With the new centerfield exhibit, today's young players can now literally look to the fence and see the legacy they're becoming part of.

The centerfield exhibit connects young athletes with Suffolk County’s baseball legacy, while the partnership’s Leadership Institute extends that connection through mentorship focused on leadership, perseverance and personal growth.