This stadium is more than just a venue for games. It is a symbol of the revival of baseball in Brooklyn, a part of the neighborhood’s history where the past and present meet under the joyful cheers of fans. Read on i-new-york.com for more details.
How Baseball Returned to Brooklyn: The Story of the Cyclones and Maimonides Park
Baseball is part of the soul of Brooklyn. You only have to walk its streets to see familiar caps with the Brooklyn Dodgers logo, even decades after the legendary team moved to Los Angeles in 1958. After that move, the borough was without professional baseball for nearly half a century. It wasn’t until 2001 that everything changed—the Brooklyn Cyclones arrived at the Coney Island pier.
Their story began a year earlier in neighboring Queens, where the team played as the Queens Kings. It was a brief but vivid period—green and purple uniforms, home games on a rented field, and an uncertain future. But the very next season, the team got a new home and a new name—in honor of the iconic wooden rollercoaster, the Cyclone, which has stood in Coney Island since 1927.
The stadium, now named Maimonides Park, was built on the site of the former Steeplechase Parkamusement area, which was the pride of the neighborhood from 1897 to 1964. In 2001, the new stadium opened as KeySpan Park and seated about 6,500 spectators. This event marked the triumphant return of baseball to Brooklyn for the first time since the Dodgers’ last game at Ebbets Field in 1957.
The stadium’s construction was funded with support from the city in partnership with the Mets and the Yankees. The agreement required both major teams to approve the creation of their minor league affiliates: the Mets in Brooklyn and the Yankees on Staten Island. Thus was born a new baseball rivalry between the two boroughs.
However, fate tested the Cyclones. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy severely damaged the stadium, flooding the offices, locker rooms, store, and even the field. The following year, the natural grass was replaced with synthetic turf.
The stadium’s name also changed over time. It was initially named after the energy company KeySpan, until Municipal Credit Union became the partner in 2010—when the stadium was renamed MCU Park. Then, in 2021, Maimonides Medical Center became the new sponsor, and the complex has been known as Maimonides Park ever since.
Baseball with an Ocean View: What Makes Maimonides Park Special
The official capacity of the stadium is 7,000 seats, but thanks to special standing-room areas, up to 2,500 additional fans can gather for Cyclones games. The park’s architecture is designed to maintain the feel of an old-time resort. It features a cozy hall with separate pavilions for the food court and bars, above which neon lights of various colors glow—like in a historic amusement park. Spectators enjoy a unique view: from the right field, they can see the famous Parachute Jump tower, and from the left, the legendary Coney Island rides (Wonder Wheel and the Cyclone). Baseball here is part of a grand spectacle, where the game becomes part of a summer carnival.
As for technical specifications, the field measures 315 feet in the left field, 412 in center field, and 325 in the right field. This creates certain challenges for players and adds to the excitement.
The stadium’s main character is Sandy the Seagull, named after legendary pitcher Sandy Koufax. According to the lore, his grandfather was a fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers and watched games sitting on a telephone pole. When baseball returned to Brooklyn, Sandy took up residence on the Parachute Jump tower—the one visible behind right field. One day, he flew too low and became… the team’s official mascot!
He is sometimes joined by his son, little Pee Wee, named after Pee Wee Reese.
How to Spend a Day at Maimonides Park
Visiting this stadium is a journey into the heart of Coney Island, where the stands smell of ocean salt and the lights of the amusement park flicker beyond the field.
As soon as you pass through the gates, after the mandatory photo op by the statue of Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese, an amazing view opens up: the baseball field set against the ocean. From here, you can hear the laughter of children, the smell of popcorn, and the music from the carousels.
Maimonides Park, like most minor league arenas, has a simple rule: no outside food is allowed. But there’s no need to worry; the aroma of hot dogs and French fries will make you forget any homemade snacks. The stadium menu is classic, but if you want something special, the boardwalk is just steps away, offering everything from fried clams to deep-fried desserts.
Before the game, stop by the two-story team store—it’s a true kingdom for Brooklyn Cyclones fans. Here, you’ll find caps, sweaters, souvenirs, and a whole collection of items dedicated to popular theme nights, such as Seinfeld Night or the Copa de la Diversión festival.
Coney Island is a landmark in itself. You’ll find the boardwalk, the beach, historic rides, and crowds of happy people. Ride the famous Cyclone, visit Luna Park, or check out the New York Aquarium, where you can see sharks and octopuses without diving into the water. For fans of old-school show business, there’s Sideshows by the Seashore—performances by sword swallowers, fire-eaters, and snake charmers, in the style of classic Coney Island carnival acts.
The easiest way to get here is by subway—to the Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue station, served by the D, F, N, and Q lines.
Stepping off the train, you’ll immediately smell the sea, see the Ferris wheel, and in a few minutes, you’ll be in the heart of the baseball celebration.
From Baseball to Rock Concerts
Maimonides Park is more than just a baseball stadium. It is a living stage where sports, music, competitions, and holidays merge into one long Brooklyn story, full of energy, excitement, and the roar of the crowd.
- Baseball.
From 2015 to 2021, the NYU Violets baseball team held their home games here, turning the arena into their home base after moving from their previous stadium. In 2005 and 2014, the stadium hosted the New York–Penn League All-Star Game, bringing together the best young players on the East Coast. In September 2016, the arena hosted a qualifying round for the 2017 World Baseball Classic, where the Israeli national team defeated teams from Great Britain, Brazil, and Pakistan to advance to the main tournament. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when the Minor League season was canceled and the Major League season shortened, the stadium temporarily served as an alternate training site for the New York Mets.
Following the restructuring of Minor League Baseball between the 2020-2021 seasons, it was confirmed that the Brooklyn Cyclones remain the Mets’ affiliate, but now compete at the High-A level in the newly formed High-A East league.
- Soccer Wave.
In 2017, the cozy field by the ocean transformed into the home arena for the New York Cosmos—a legendary soccer club. However, their connection to the stadium began even earlier: in 2015, the Cosmos played against the Ottawa Fury here, and later against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in a decisive match of the season. In 2024, news broke that excited fans: Brooklyn FC chose Maimonides Park as their home base. The men’s team was initially planned to debut in the lower division (USL League One), but ambitions quickly grew. The men’s team will take the field in the USL Championship in 2026, while the women’s team debuted earlier, in 2024, opening their season to the sound of the Atlantic waves.
- American Football.
The stadium also saw a brief but vibrant era with the Brooklyn Bolts—a team from the Fall Experimental Football League (FXFL). In 2014–2015, a real football field was laid out in the outfield.
- Rugby Energy.
Another unexpected guest was the Rugby United New York team. They played their first two seasons in Major League Rugby here before moving to Jersey City.
- Music Over the Ocean.
If by day Maimonides Park is about baseballs soaring into the sky, by night its field transforms into a concert stage hosting legends.
In August 2003, Björk performed here, and footage from the show was later included in the film Screaming Masterpiece. The following summer, Phish kicked off their farewell tour right here—with two spectacular evenings, one of which featured a surprise appearance by Jay-Z, who joined the band on stage. In 2005, The White Stripes and Def Leppard with Bryan Adams rocked the baseball stands with rock and roll, and in 2007, Daft Punk lit up the stars—their Alive 2007 tour became legendary. The field later hosted 311 and Snoop Dogg, Wilco and Yo La Tengo, and in 2010 and 2012, the cult band Furthur, formed by former members of the Grateful Dead. Even the Brooklyn Philharmonic graced this arena—on July 4, 2013, the orchestra performed works by Dvořák under bursts of holiday fireworks.
- Wrestling and Shows.
When the baseball field disappears under a special cover, another kind of stage emerges: for wrestling. In 2010, it hosted the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling show, which broke the attendance record in TNA history. After that, the arena hosted the famous Field of Honor from Ring of Honor Wrestling three times—in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
- Hot Dogs That Became a Legend.
Even the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest moved to Maimonides Park once. Due to 2021 quarantine restrictions, the competition was held here for the first time instead of near the Nathan’s restaurant on Coney Island. And it was here that Joey Chestnut set an incredible record—76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.
Maimonides Park is a place where baseball meets rugby, where soccer shares the field with concerts, and fireworks light up the sky over the ocean.