Shuttleworth Park Foundation

The mission of the foundation is to renovate, beautify and enhance recreational & cultural endeavors of Shuttleworth Park located in the city of Amsterdam.

Amsterdam and Shuttleworth Park have a long history of baseball. The park opened in 1914 as Crescent Park, it was renamed to Jollyland in 1923 and Mohawk Mills Park in 1934.

From 1938-1951 the Amsterdam Rugmakers were the New York Yankees Class C affiliate and won the Canadian-American League Championship in 1940. The Rugmakers would play the New York Yankees twice in exhibition games hosted in Amsterdam, once in 1942 and again in 1949. Eight days before the game in 1942, the stadium burned down, but the community banded together and rebuild the grandstand in time for the game and actually increased the stadium capacity. On July 20, 1942, there were 4,034 people in attendance as Joe DiMaggio hit a fourth inning home run over the right field fence and into the Chuctanunda Creek as the Yankees defeat the Rugmakers 9-5 in 10 innings. On May 12, 1949, a crowd of 4,564 watched as Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto came to town, but it was the former Rugmakers who were now on the Yankees that helped new manager Casey Stengel claim the victory. Dick Kryhoski hit a 3-run home run and Frank Shea pitched 3 scoreless innings for the win as the Yankees defeat the Rugmakers 9-2. In total, 28 Rugmaker players also played in the Major Leagues. Some notable alumi from the Rugmakers include Vic Raschi who pitched in Amsterdam in 1941 and went on to become a 6-time World Series Champion and 4-time All-Star. 2-time All-Star Lew Burdette pitched in Amsterdam in 1947. Burdette was the MVP of the 1957 World Series, pitching 3 complete games for the Milwaukee Braves, 2 of which were shutouts, including Game 7. 1951 Rookie of the Year, All-Star and 1956 World Series Champion Bob Grim played for the Rugmakers in 1949.

(Ceremony before the Rugmakers game against the New York Yankees in Amsterdam)

In 1977, the park was renamed after Herbert Shuttleworth, a chief executive of the Mohawk/Mohasco Carpet Mills and was the Rugmakers team president. He was also responsible for the lights being installed on the field. The park is still called Shuttleworth Park today, but in 2019 the baseball stadium was renamed to Rao Family Stadium for well renowned pediatrician Dr. Govind Rao, MD who has served the Amsterdam community for over 60 years.

Upon arrival in Amsterdam the stadium needed renovations. Before taking the field, the dugouts had to be moved above ground due to drainage issues, new bullpens and a warning track also had to be installed. In 2004, a brick wall backstop was installed behind home plate and the first base line as well as several reserved seats from the former Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. In 2006, the small metal bleachers were moved from under the grandstand and down the first baseline as a new wooden grandstand and concession stand were built. This restored the look of the stadium back to the days of the Rugmakers and vastly increased seating capacity. In 2007, the first party deck was built behind the first baseline and the skybox above the concession stand opened. In 2014, an artificial turf infield was installed and in 2022 the Neena Rao Locker Room, Coaches Office and Front Office were completed.

The Shuttleworth Park Foundation is a 501c3 that exists to help perserve and enhance the park for many future generations to come.