The Consulate General for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, in partnership with Ulster Baseball & Softball Club (UBSC), celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Hydebank Baseball Diamond, the first purpose-built baseball facility of its kind in Northern Ireland.
The milestone event marks a decade since the facility was officially opened on May 28, 2016, by Alderman Paul Porter and Vincentian diplomat Dr. Christopher Stange, alongside Baseball Ireland officials and local team captains.
The anniversary celebration featured a ceremonial first pitch and cake-cutting ceremony, held between fixtures of the interclub tournament involving the Belfast Northstars, Belfast Buccaneers, and Belfast Angels. The event highlights ten years of growth in baseball and softball participation, community engagement, and international sporting collaboration.
The Hydebank facility has played a key role in expanding access to baseball and softball in the region, serving as the home field for local teams and a hub for grassroots sports development. We have players of all nationalities, many from countries where baseball and softball are their national or main sports.
In attendance, Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Brian Higginson, said: “The Hydebank Baseball Diamond is a wonderful example of how investment in sport can support health, wellbeing, and community engagement. It is encouraging to see how the facility has contributed to the growth of baseball over the past decade, and I am pleased to join organisers in marking this important milestone.”
Consul General for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Christopher Stange, who played a key role in lobbying for, designing, and opening the facility a decade ago, said: “Reaching this 10-year milestone is a testament to what can be achieved through vision, partnership, and community commitment. Hydebank has become more than just a sports facility; it is a symbol of opportunity, inclusion, and the growing global reach of baseball here in Northern Ireland. I am incredibly proud of how far the sport has come and excited about what the future holds.”
Mark Lorimer, General Manager of Ulster Baseball & Softball Club (UBSC), said: “This anniversary is a proud moment for UBSC, reflecting ten years of growth in the sport and the community built around Hydebank. We’re excited to continue developing baseball here for future generations.”
SOURCE: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment and Diaspora Affairs
