Ryder Park Baseball Field Renovations Well Underway

Click here to see complete interview with Clint Ruether.

Grand Island, Neb. — Construction crews have begun early-phase renovation work at Ryder Park baseball stadium, launching the first steps of a major upgrade to one of the community’s most historic and heavily used athletic facilities.

The City of Grand Island and project partners are working to complete as much ground and preliminary work as possible before winter weather arrives. The project, approved by City Council earlier this year, represents a $5.1 million community investment to modernize the stadium and expand its use.

Plans include converting the field to full artificial turf, allowing it to function as a regulation baseball field or two softball fields. The renovation also includes new dugouts, lighting, restrooms, a concession stand accessible to playground visitors, an umpire area and an additional scoreboard for multi-game use. Of the project’s total cost, a local group of baseball supporters continues to pursue grants to reduce the cost to the city taxpayers.

“The funding for the field part of it is at a point where we’re comfortable,” Grand Island Baseball Committee Chair Clint Ruether said. “We have to raise funds yet for the concession stand and bathrooms. That will be solely a privately-funded objective.”

Renovation is underway now and the expectation is to have much of it completed in time for spring 2026 play. Ryder Park serves as the home field for Grand Island Senior High School baseball and Grand Island American Legion Baseball, and the improvements will increase capacity for tournaments, community events, and potential partnership games with a new summer-league baseball team.