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RBAI History
The Rome Baseball Association, Inc. project took seed in the early spring of 1997 and wasprecipitated by the simultaneous occurrence of two seemingly unrelated events – The
deactivation of Griffiss Air Force Base and the need for a quality baseball facility within the
community of Rome, New York. To date, two first class baseball fields in a park like setting
have been constructed on a 16-acre track of land located at the entrance to the Griffiss Business
and Technology Park.
With the support of local businesses, political leaders, volunteers and the Oneida-Herkimer
Community Foundation, this totally volunteer group raised the funding necessary to start
construction of the first field. One of the driving forces in this volunteer group was Larry
DeLutis, a fixture in Rome baseball. Larry was involved for over 36 years as a player, coach
and owner of the Rome Indians Collegiate Baseball team. Unfortunately, Larry was never able
to see the field’s completion due to his untimely passing in May 1997. After his passing, the
RBAI Board of Directors decided to name the field in Larry’s honor.
Construction of Larry DeLutis Field started in the Fall of 1997, on a 16-acre parcel of land
located on the Griffiss Business & Technology Park (formerly the Griffiss Air Force Base).
DeLutis Field opened for play on June 28, 1998 with a game between the Rome Indians baseball
team and the Schenectady Mohawks of the Northeast Collegiate Baseball League. In the spring
of 1999 volunteer crews from the NYS Power Authority, Niagara Mohawk Power Authority and Rome
Research Corporation worked to install state a start of the art lighting system on the main
field. On Sunday May 23, 1999, the first night game in Rome in over 50 years was played at
DeLutis field. The game between the Rome Free Academy and Rome Catholic High School varsity
teams drew fans of all ages for a great night of baseball and family fun.
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.
Currently under construction is a new Little League field. Once this field is complete we will
have the ability to serve youth and adults of all ages. We hope to have the Little League field
operational by the spring of 2008 pending the success of our current fundraising campaign.
The RBAI ran a series of youth baseball camp for underprivileged children in conjunction with the
Rome Indians Collegiate Baseball Team. This program provided children with instruction to develop
their athletic skills, as well as, the fundamentals of hard work, competition and teamwork. The
camp was directed by college level coaches and players for children who might not have
had a chance to attend such a camp.
Rome Baseball Association, Inc.
PO Box 4337
Rome, NY 13442-4337
Phone: (315) 796-4051
Email: 