Photos by Dave Cottenie and Michael Rusiglnuolo, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Mirabito Stadium 211 Henry St Binghamton, NY 13901
Year Opened: 1992
Capacity: 6,012
Welcome to Rumbletown
Established as the Williamsport Bills in 1987, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies found their home in Upstate New York in 1992 and became the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets. Originally branded as the Binghamton Mets, the team abandoned the parent branding in 2017 and took advantage of a Minor League Baseball landscape where the more unique the identity, the better the situation.
Nodding to the city of Binghamton as the Carousel Capital of the World, a name the team contest yielded the moniker of the Rumble Ponies, referring to the horses found on a carousel. Binghamton narrowly escaped the 2019 purge of 42 MiLB teams. During their tenure in Binghamton, the Rumble Ponies have always been affiliated with the New York Mets and members of the Eastern League.
Marking the move to Binghamton for the team [possible was the opening of Mirabito Stadium. Known originally as Binghamton Municipal Stadium from 1992 to 2001 and NYSEG Stadium from 2001 to 2021, the city-owned stadium offers a capacity of over 6,000. The naming rights were sold to Mirabito Energy Products in 2021.
Food & Beverage 4
The concession scene at Mirabito Stadium is strong. The Pit Stop concession stands under the grandstand offer burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, chicken tenders, pizza, nachos popcorn, and pretzels. A couple of other free-standing concession points are of interest including the Southern Tier Cheesesteak stand and the Carousel Creamery and Lupos stand on the right field side are worth checking out. Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice at Mirabito Stadium and a fairly decent beer selection featuring New Belgium products on tap can be found also.
A couple of signature items that fans should consider include the Grampwich Sandwich, a sausage patty sandwich with cheese, peppers, and onions, and local delicacy Spiedies (pronounced “speedys”). Overall, there is just enough at Mirabito Stadium to satisfy just about everyone and not be overwhelming.
Atmosphere 3
Mirabito Stadium has a bit of a unique exterior with light-colored tiles at the home plate side of the ballpark where the ticket windows can be found. Attractive wrought iron fencing surrounds the ballpark and huge logos of the Rumble Ponies and New York Mets ensure that passers-by know who plays at the stadium. A marker of note stands for Bud Fowler, who played for the Binghamton Bingos in 1887 and was one of the first players to integrate professional baseball. He was also elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022.
Although entering Mirabito Stadium from the home plate side is an option, many people will enter the right field gate on the east side of the stadium as it is closest to the parking lot. Both spots have small plazas which are good for meeting spots. Once fans have entered the ballpark, it begins to show its age a bit. The main grandstand is a split-level, single bowl with an exterior walkway.
Some of the upper-tier seats are covered with an overhang. Mirabito Stadium does not offer a 360 path around the ballpark. Underneath the grandstand, it is fairly dark and does not offer an open view of the field as is found in many other ballparks. The Rumble Ponies attempt to overcome this shortcoming with a full embracing of their brand and history. The concourses are littered with Binghamton Rumble Ponies markings including murals with logos and slogans.
Of interest is the Binghamton Baseball Shrine, which is a mural including the royalty of Binghamton baseball, Bud Fowler, Steve Kraly, Thurman Munson, Jason Isringhausen, Whitey Ford and David Wright. Surrounding the shrine are plaques commemorating the members of the Binghamton Baseball Hall of Fame. As a longstanding feeder of talent to the New York Mets, many names are recognizable to fans.
Other pillars include banners featuring more recent Rumble Ponies to make it to the Show. Surprisingly, there was no noticeable sign of one of the most famous members of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, former Heisman Trophy winner, Tim Tebow.
Mirabito Stadium offers a variety of seating options outside of the regular grandstand. Bar seating is found on the right field side and high-top tables on the left field side with a pavilion at the back corner of left field. The right field side of the stadium, near the entry gate, features the kid zone complete with an inflatable play area and Rumble Ponies metal benches for waiting parents.
The gameday production in Binghamton is fairly simple. Mascots Rowdy and Ruby take part in the pregame festivities and can be found interacting with the crowd while the PA announcer chooses some interesting musical selections for visitors walking up. It is not overproduced and not lacking, a good balance for fans. Mirabito Stadium also offers an interesting backdrop with fans able to view passing trains from the railyard immediately north of the stadium and the rolling mountains beyond right field.
Neighborhood 3
Mirabito Stadium is located on the edge of Downtown Binghamton, between the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers. With a modest population of over 47,000, Binghamton does not have the most interesting of downtowns, but there are a few options for pre and post-game food and drink including Station 45 American Chop House, AMICI, Little Venice, Burger Monday, River Bistro and Rolando’s Diner.
There are a couple of other sporting options in Binghamton. The Binghamton Bearcats of SUNY Binghamton, aka Binghamton University, play basketball on campus. The Bearcats also play baseball and other NCAA sports. The school boasts Tony Kornheiser of ESPN’s Pardon The Interruption as an alumnus. Formerly an AHL city, Binghamton now offers the Black Bears of the FPHL. Other tourist options in Binghamton include Phelps Mansion Museum, Ross Park Zoo, or finding one of the city’s numerous carousels, possibly the one at Rec Park. For fans wishing to stay near the ballpark, the Holiday Inn and DoubleTree are good options.
Fans 3
There is room for improvement when it comes to Binghamton Rumble Ponies attendance. In the 2023 season, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies averaged over 3,100 fans per game. This ranked 73rd in all of Minor League Baseball and more specifically 11th in the 12-team Eastern League. The fans in attendance at the game reviewed were pretty quiet and reserved. It must be noted that the game reviewed was an early weekday game including a makeup doubleheader. Attendance, as expected, spikes for the weekend, however, there is still plenty of room for improvement.
Access 4
Mirabito Stadium is located in Downtown Binghamton, between the Chenango and Susquehanna Rivers, at the corner of Henry Street and Fayette Street. It is south of I-86 and west of Highway 363 and not difficult to get to. There is plenty of parking on-site, which can be had for a nominal cost. For fans wishing to take public transit, there are buses on Chenango Street. Fans should consult the Broome County Transit website for fares, maps, and schedules. Getting around the ballpark is not too difficult, although a big crowd could make moving under the grandstand could be more difficult. Washroom facilities are acceptable for the fans in attendance.
Stadium Journey recommends checking the Binghamton Rumble Ponies website for the most up-to-date security info including prohibited items, gate opening times, and security protocols.
Return on Investment 4
The Binghamton Rumble Ponies experience is very affordable. Tickets for the Rumble Ponies run from $11 for the cheapest seats, up to $25 for the first row in the grandstand. Concession prices are what one would expect and parking is a nominal $5. The Rumble Ponies provide a solid environment for baseball and the Eastern League at the Double-A level provides, arguably, the best prospects for Minor League Baseball.
Extras 3
An extra mark for the unique theme of the Rumble Ponies with the local ties to the Carousel Capital of the World.
An extra mark for the display of team history found at Mirabito Stadium.
An extra mark for the long-standing affiliation the Rumble Ponies enjoy with the New York Mets.
Final Thoughts
A trip to Upstate New York and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies is a great way to take in some Minor League Baseball. Mirabito Stadium offers a solid facility for baseball. There is plenty of fun in Rumbletown.
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