An investigation is underway in Paterson just days before players are set to return to a historic baseball stadium that has been empty for decades.

Officials say that a heart and what appears to be a symbol of hate were found painted outside Hinchliffe Stadium this past Sunday. Players are supposed to play at the stadium on Wednesday.

“Hate has no place here. We won’t tolerate that type of vandalism here – any type of vandalism,” says Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh. “On top of that, that’s vitriolic.”

The graffiti appears to be a heart and a black cross-like symbol that some say looks like a swastika. The mayor called for it to be immediately painted over.

“This stadium is sacred. It tells the story of the struggle for social justice and American integration. When African Americans were not allowed to play Major League Baseball, they had a home at Hinchliffe. They played in Paterson,” Sayegh says.

But not everyone is convinced it is a hate symbol. Experts from the Anti-Defamation League say that it looks to be closer to a crutch cross or “Jerusalem Cross.”

Paterson police are looking at surveillance video from neighboring Public School No. 5 to try to identify the people involved in the vandalism.

“Children here at School 5 shouldn’t be subjected to seeing something that represents hate. And the neighbors here in this area should not be subjected to it as well,” the mayor says.

Anyone who might have information about the incident is urged to contact the Paterson Police Department.