From 1924 to 1943, the Mohawk Giants called Schenectady's Central Park “A” Diamond home, playing nearby teams and clubs from around the country and drawing thousands of spectators each year. In 1933, the Giants joined the inaugural Schenectady Twilight League and dominated throughout the decade. The team's biggest star was William "Buck" Ewing, a catcher who had spent five years in the Negro Leagues, including three from 1928 to 1930 with the famed Homestead Grays. MLB Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander called Ewing "the greatest catcher I ever saw, black or white." After decades of neglect and disinvestment, the field fell into disrepair. From 2015 to 2017, New York State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, Assemblymember Philip G. Steck, Assemblymember Angelo L. Santabarbara, and Schenectady Mayor Gary R. McCarthy implemented a 1.5 million dollar investment for upgrades to Schenectady's Central Park, including redevelopment of the historic “A” Diamond field.
