Lisa A.
Yelp
*This review is for the softball fields on the Great Lawn.
This is the midpoint of Central Park 79th-85th Streets. And, I don't need to tell you that it's 55 acres of awesome.
I've had the privilege of playing softball here for the past 17 seasons. I always get excited when we play here because I don't have a yard where I can take off my shoes and delight in walking on the lush, well-kept grass barefoot. Even when the park is busy, it's still tranquil. I love it. The NYC Parks Dept. does a fantastic job of upkeep with the fields, which are always very well maintained, even the infield is quite often raked(!).
There are 8 softball fields here--odd number fields are on the west side, even numbered fields on the east side. There is a posted map just past the Delacourte Theatre that notes what fields are where. (You won't see another such map for awhile. There needs to be a few more, please. Though, I guess you could find a nice pdf map on the Park's site too). And, bonus, your outfielders will not be playing on top of one another (hooray!).
One serious note: Dear picnickers, wanderers, etc., please don't walk across the outfields of live games or plop yourself in the outfield of a live game. I say this because it happens every time I've played here. You could get hurt/hit by a fly ball or, trampled on by outfielders trying to field a ball. Do not give players the finger or an attitude when we (and the umps) tell you to please hurry up and cross or, get out of the outfield. Every team that plays on these fields has a legal permit--which they pay for--with the city and with the parks department. We have also all signed waivers to play in the various leagues in the city. You, as an obtuse bystander can drop the attitude and pay attention. No need to get pissed off at us because you're interfering with our games. Thanks!