The fields in Battery Park City opened quietly last week and Downtown Little League had its opening day on Friday, welcoming back the more than 1000 players in the league. (Thanks to E. and Jane Butler for the snaps.)

The players are now on all-new synthetic turf after the Battery Park City Authority repaired and replaced the fields. They were last replaced after Hurricane Sandy in early 2013. I guess the playing area got a little larger? Also:

• Additional netting to protect seating
• New batting cages and outfield fencing
• Permeable pavers along the fields’ pedestrian path
• New water misters and water bottle filling station
• Backstop repairs