MIDLAND BEACH — The New York Mets donated a new baseball diamond, sports equipment and stadium chairs from Citi Field to a Staten Island school damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
Mets pitcher Vic Black joined team COO Jeff Wilpon, Borough President James Oddo and Mr. Met to unveil the new diamond at P.S. 52 in Midland Beach on the two-year anniversary of the storm that closed the school for five weeks.
"We are very grateful for the generous support of the Mets ownership and entire organization,” Oddo said in a statement.
“The Mets have always shown generous support regarding hurricane relief efforts and their contributions will bring smiles and enjoyment to many children.”
In addition to the baseball diamond, the team donated baseballs, softballs, wiffle balls and bats for students, as well as installing fencing around sections of the playground. The playground has been closed due to the risk of sinkholes, but the diamond will be open for kids to play on, the Mets said.
The team also refurbished the school's family room and donated two seats from Citi Field to go inside.
"This way you always have a piece of Citi Field right here," Black told students at an assembly. "This is a way for us to say thank you for having us."
During the storm, the basement of the school was flooded with 17 feet of water, and the majority of the playground still houses its temporary boiler.
