STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A three-and-a-half-year battle over a New Springville baseball and softball complex appears to be entering its final innings.

Another mediation session is scheduled for Friday between the Staten Island United Federation Baseball League (SIUFB) and the State of New York concerning the former New Springville Little League (NSLL) property at 1170 Forest Hill Road.

The SIUFB continues to fight for the property — which houses four fields — so the borough’s children and adults have a safe and healthy complex to play baseball and softball.

According to SIUFB president Frank Cambria, SIUFB/NSLL built, designed, developed and continues to maintain the property, something it has done for the past 50 years.

According to Cambria, the property was given to New Springville LL (SIUFB) in 1976 so the community could heal from the horrors and devastation from what was once known as the Willowbrook State School, a developmental institution.

SIUFB has paid for all maintenance and improvements without any help or funding from the state, claims Cambria, the complex’s president since 2006.

In January of 2022, New York State officials changed the locks on the property, and in February of the same year, a cease and desist order was served to Cambria to prevent further use of the facility.

Court documents filed to Richmond County Supreme Court that year acknowledge a dispute between the league and the neighboring Office for People With Developmental Disorders, which is located at the adjacent property on 1150 Forest Hill Rd. The filing points to an issue stemming from a water meter controversy at the complex, which Cambria acknowledged resulted in fines from the state at the time.

In June of 2022, a judge issued a ruling, which halted any potential transfer of property and allowed Cambria to reenter the facility he operates under the Staten Island United Federation banner.

But the court battle has gone on ever since.

SIUFB maintains that it is the owner of the property. However, Cambria said the organization is willing to negotiate with the state for a 25-year lease so that they will be able to once again focus on what is really important.

“The children of the community who the State of NY has clearly forgotten,” said Cambria, who doubles as the Little League District 24 Administrator.

According to Cambria, negotiations with the state have been unsuccessful, even though the state claims it would like to settle.

“If the State of New York wins this, it would be devastating to numerous communities of Staten Island as children from all over the Island, including some from Brooklyn, play baseball at the complex,” said Cambria, who said the closure would affect some 2,500 families.

As SIUFB has done in the past, Cambria said the organization has offered to run a program at the property for people with disabilities, but the state has declined once again.

“At the last mediation meeting, the State of NY claims they have no current plans for the site but claim they want the property back in case they decide to build housing or facilities later on,” Cambria said. “We have always maintained the property for the entire community of Staten Island where all ages can play in a healthy and safe environment.

“We are truly a not-for-profit, community-based organization that cares about the people of Staten Island. This includes all youth baseball and softball teams, Challenger Leagues, COED softball, men’s softball and baseball, women’s softball, high school teams, junior high school teams, CYO and the newly formed Jewish League.”

And with fields disappearing and the growing Staten Island population, Cambria said it would be devastating to lose NSLL’s four fields.

“It is getting harder and harder to find places to play baseball and softball to keep the children off of the streets and away from drugs,” he said. “We have reached out to local politicians. Some have tried to reason with the state to no avail.

“With the population explosion and the city of YES, there are less facilities to be used and now the state wants to take away another recreational facility which it provides for all.”

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