Moroccan Soccer Supporters at Whitey Ford Field
Neil Friends of Whitey Ford Field would like to express our thanks to Nelson Santiago, Co-founder of NYC Rising Stars and an advisory board member of our organization.
Nelson’s selfless act of showing up hours earlier than his planned permit time frame to remove around forty used firecrackers and flares from Whitey Ford Field is a testament to his dedication. He is a regular presence at the field, supplementing the Parks Department’s efforts to maintain the field, and is a source of inspiration for all of us. We are truly grateful to have him and his organization in our group.
On September 29, 2025, around 20 Moroccan soccer fanatics unfurled a massive banner in sections to depict the logo of Ultra Winners 2005, a supporters group of the Casablanca-based soccer team Wydad Athletic Club. First, a fistfight broke out, followed by fireworks and flares being shot from flare guns near the seawall close to third base. Neighbors in the community witnessed large explosions with smoke wafting over the East River that could be seen from Manhattan and Astoria Park. During the display, the co-chair of Friends of Whitey Ford Field, Neil Herdan, received reports and videos from one of the local dog owner groups in Astoria. He immediately contacted the NYPD and the Parks Manager, who oversees parks and playgrounds in the Astoria area. By the time Parks could investigate further, the supporters had long gone. Later, we discovered that the NYPD had visited the field. No arrests were made!
The massive pyrotechnic display impacted the community, unnerving some Astorians and petrifying many local dog owners using the ballpark’s perimeter. Reports of poisonous substances from the used flares in texts sent to organizers of one of the dog groups further underscored the severity of the situation. Anything flammable is not permitted in most parks, and the group had no permits, which take nearly a month to approve.
A couple of days later, Neil Herdan was interviewed by Liam Quigley, covering parks & sanitation for Gothamist and WNYC. Neil has continually stressed the urgent need for greater investment to address inadequate field maintenance, security, and the NYPD’s need to send regular patrols to ensure the safety of ballplayers and visitors alike.
The Gothamist article is linked below.
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