Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Clover Stadium 1 Phil Tisi Way Pomona, NY 10970
Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 6,362
Boulder Ball at Clover Stadium
Clover Stadium, formerly Palisades Credit Union Park, opened in 2011 in the town of Pamona, New York. Located about an hour north of New York in Rockland County on the New Jersey border, the ballpark was built to give suburban New York baseball fans an alternative to the more expensive ballparks in New York City.
There was initially some opposition to the construction of this ballpark by the Preserve Ramapo group. This opposition has seemed to die out since the completion of the ballpark, which has received awards for its design and engineering. During the early years of the ballpark, there were allegations of fraud regarding the misrepresentation of town finances to secure funding for the ballpark. These charges had nothing to do with the team itself.
The New York Boulders began their existence as the Rockland Boulders of the Can-Am League in 2011, winning a championship in 2014. The Can-Am League merged into the Frontier League for the 2020 season, only to see that season canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic. Concurrent with their move to the Frontier League, the team rebranded as the New York Boulders.
Food & Beverage 4
There are six concession stands scattered throughout Provident Credit Union Park. The menus at the two main stands do not stray far beyond typical ballpark fare. Aside from the usual burger/hot dog/chicken finger/pizza slice, you won’t find anything unusual here.
If you’re looking for a unique item, head down the right-field line to the tiny Kosher stand, where potato knishes are served. Mr. Miyagi’s stand offers Teriyaki bowls filled with chicken, beef, pork, or shrimp, as well as edamame, fried dumplings, and shrimp tempura.
Coca-Cola products are featured at Boulders games. Fans looking for an adult beverage will find a beer truck located right behind home plate as well as a full draft menu at the Bridge Bar in left field. In addition to national brands such as Budweiser and Bud Light, you will find assorted brews from Goose Island and Golden Road Breweries.
Atmosphere 4
At Clover Stadium, baseball may be the focus, but it’s not the only thing to do. The younger fans in attendance will undoubtedly be drawn to Boulderberg, the giant playground in the right field, or the B-Train, which rides around the ballpark throughout the game. If you need a break from the action on the field, you can play a few holes of mini-golf or take a few swings in the batting cages.
Of course, there’s the focal point of the ballpark, the Bridge Bar in left field. Featuring seats at field level and a full menu of draft beers, it’s the place to be during a Boulders game. You’ll find many other staples of minor league baseball here in Ramapo, including t-shirt tosses and bands pre-and post-game. If you like fireworks, you’ll love a Boulders game. There are fireworks most Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night games.
The annual Pink in the Park game held to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer is a highlight of the season. The team is clad in pink jerseys, which are auctioned off for charity. Events and giveaways are held throughout the game, culminating in a release of balloons by survivors and supporters.
Neighborhood 1
There is no neighborhood to speak of around Palisades Credit Union Park. There are no bars, restaurants, or hotels within walking distance of the park. Fans looking for attractions will have to drive a few miles to find these amenities. Visitors to the area may want to check out the village of Sleepy Hollow, just on the other side of the Hudson River, or West Point, located about a half hour’s drive north of Ramapo.
Fans 4
The Boulders finished the 2021 season, their first in the Frontier League, with an average of just under 2,300 fans per game, good for third in the circuit. This was a decrease in about 300 fans per game from their last season in the Can-Am League.
As you might expect in a ballpark with so many activities geared towards the younger fan, a Boulders game is filled with families and younger fans. It gives the ballpark a great buzz throughout the game. In addition, you’ll be sure to find a good amount of die-hard fans around Palisades Credit Union Park, along with some casual fans enjoying a night out at the ballpark.
Access 4
Clover Stadium is easy to get to, located right off the Palisades Parkway in southern New York near the New Jersey border. Interstate 287 is only 7 miles away, with the Mario Cuomo Bridge only 13 miles away from the ballpark. Driving is the primary method for getting to a Boulders game, but there are bike racks by the entrance to the park if you pedal to the park.
The ballpark, built in 2011, was built to current ADA requirements and is easy to get around. The ticket offices are located right next to the main entrance, which leads into a roomy, open plaza after a perfunctory security check. On weekend games it’s common to see a band playing here before the game. The concourse wraps around the entire park, with the field visible from all spots. Even when there is a larger crowd in attendance the wide concourse is easy to navigate.
Do yourself a favor when visiting here and take a walk around and explore the various features and seating areas. The signature spot would have to be the Bridge Bar in left field, where fans can take in the action from field level while enjoying some cold beverages. Fans not wishing to head down to field level can stay up on the bridge, which features some attractive stonework. The outfield features several different seating areas, along with a mini-golf course, a train that circles the ballpark throughout the game, and a giant play area for younger fans.
The only drawback in regards to accessing the stadium is the parking situation. The only options for parking are the lots surrounding the ballpark (which isn’t surprising given the park’s location in the woods). While there appears to be a few ways out of the lots, reducing exit time after the game, the team charges you five dollars to park here. This sort of “captive parking” is never a good look.
Return on Investment 2
Tickets to a Boulders game are a little more pricey than you might expect. Tickets are priced at $11 for outfield box seats and $15 for infield box seats. Going to a Boulders game on a fireworks night will add another two dollars to the price, with an additional dollar added on the day of the game. If you are looking to purchase online ahead of time, there are fees attached. Outfield seats can be purchased for just $8 on Thursday nights.
In addition, the team charges $5 for the privilege of parking in the lot next to the ballpark. Don’t like to pay for parking? Too bad! There’s nowhere else to park here. Concessions are priced comparably to other ballparks in the area.
Extras 5
Extra points are awarded for all the activities available all around the ballpark for younger fans who may need to burn off some energy at some point during the game. The large playground (named Boulderberg), the mini-golf course, and the B-train are all popular spots for the younger fans in attendance to hang out.
An extra point is awarded for the Bleacher Bar, a most unique vantage point from which to enjoy a beverage and take in the action. On selected Saturday nights, live music is played after games. If you’re looking for other unique seating areas, check out the Short Porch at field level in right field or the Billboard Monster seats in right-center field.
The batting cages on the concourse are worth another extra point. After you watch your favorite Boulders warm-up, you can take a few hacks in the cage yourself! If your dog loves baseball, you can bring your canine friends to the ballpark free of charge (except on fireworks nights).
Final Thoughts
Clover Stadium is one of the nicer independent ballparks in the northeast. It always felt out of place in the Can-Am League, but with the circuit’s merger into the Frontier League, it will have some worthy peers. If this ballpark was located in a downtown area, it may be listed among the best in all of independent baseball.
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