Saranac Lake “minor” league baseball players, from left, Connor Gillis, Braydon Harvey and Ethan Knight are ready to build the mini-Fenway Park “Green Monster” for the association’s Youth Baseball and Softball Day in Riverside Park on Saturday, May 19. (Photo provided)

Saranac Lake “minor” league baseball players, from left, Connor Gillis, Braydon Harvey and Ethan Knight are ready to build the mini-Fenway Park “Green Monster” for the association’s Youth Baseball and Softball Day in Riverside Park on Saturday, May 19.
(Photo provided)

SARANAC LAKE — The Saranac Lake Youth Baseball Association is building a mini Fenway Park “Green Monster” for the first-ever Youth Baseball and Softball Day in Saranac Lake on Saturday, May 19.

The event, set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Riverside Park was originally scheduled for April, but was postponed due to inclement weather.

Designed to showcase the fun and excitement of youth baseball and softball to more kids in the community, the free event will feature a mini-baseball field set up in the park. Kids will be able to take batting practice and see if they can hit soft-core or wiffle balls over the “Green Monster” and into “McCovey Cove” (aka Lake Flower).

Youth Baseball and Softball Day will also feature a “Harry Caray” kid announcer’s booth, batting cage, pitching target, sliding practice area and other fun activities. Hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jack will be served by the Kiwanis Club of Saranac Lake.

“It’s been a long winter, and what better way for kids to get outside and enjoy the warm weather than to play some baseball and softball in downtown Saranac Lake,” said Chris Knight, SLYBSA vice president. “This will be an exciting day for baseball fans of all ages, whether you’re a Red Sox fan, Yankees fan or fan of any other team, and a great opportunity for kids who’ve never played baseball before to try out the sport.”

Aubuchon Hardware of Saranac Lake has donated the Benjamin Moore paint – the identical color paint used for the Fenway Park Green Monster — for the outfield wall. The SLYBSA is fronting the cost of the lumber and hardware to build the wall, but the association is seeking sponsors to help offset the cost of the project. If you’d like to contribute, please send a check to SLYBSA, P.O. Box 941, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, or contact Chris Knight at 518-637-5814 or email slybsa@yahoo.com.

The mini-Green Monster has been designed to be portable. It will be set up in Riverside Park for the May 19 event, then moved to another location so it can be re-used for youth baseball and softball on a regular basis in the years to come.