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IL1 Buffalo Bisons

Buffalo Bisons Adopt Buffalo Public High School Baseball Program

April 23, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


The Buffalo Bisons today announced they have adopted the City of Buffalo Public High School Baseball League as part of a commitment to assist in the revival and development of the city's high school baseball program.

Team owners Bob and Mindy Rich unveiled their plans during a presentation at Pettibones Grille inside Dunn Tire Park to Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown, Superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools Dr. James A. Williams and Buffalo Public Schools Athletic Director David B. Thomas at Dunn Tire Park as well as Buffalo high school baseball coaches, players and school administrators.

"Our goal is to revive baseball within our City schools and to make the program the best high school baseball program in the Northeastern United States," said Mindy Rich. "We want to provide the resources necessary to develop City of Buffalo high school baseball players to regularly compete for college baseball scholarships," added Bob Rich, Jr.

The Bisons have also partnered with New Era Cap Company to provide funding to renovate Johnnie B. Wiley Stadium located on the site of the former War Memorial Stadium, the home of the Bisons from 1961-1970 and again from 1979-1987. Phase one of the renovations will include new field drainage, dugouts and the construction of outdoor batting cages. New Era Cap employees will donate their time to this rebuilding effort and the company will produce new caps for each of the teams within the city high school league.

"We're a company with roots entrenched in the sport of baseball, supporting a rebuilding effort like this was a natural fit, " said John DeWaal, Vice President of Brand Communications at New Era Cap. "We're pleased to be partnering with the Bisons and the City of Buffalo to provide the young people in this community with a first-class baseball field where they can play, learn and appreciate the sport."

The Bisons will also provide funding through Dr. Williams' Foundation, the B.P.S. Foundation for Arts, Athletics and Music, to assist in the improvement of the existing city parks baseball diamonds, and will begin the search for additional corporate partners for long-term city field renovations and improvements.

"In connection with the recent Jackie Robinson anniversary celebration, we should make every effort to encourage our inner city youth to experience the great American pastime," said Dr. Williams. "It is through his example that a path was cleared for all people to be able to participate in baseball."

"I commend Bob and Mindy Rich who, along with New Era Cap Company, continue to demonstrate their strong support for the City of Buffalo," said Mayor Brown. "It is these types of individuals and businesses who are making a difference throughout Buffalo, helping to improve the quality of life for our residents, particularly our youth. This is an act of generosity and philanthropy, by both the Rich's and New Era that will long benefit the student athletes of the Buffalo Public Schools."

As part of their commitment, the Bisons have retained longtime Western New York baseball coach Paul J. Smaldone as its high school baseball coordinator. He will work with the Buffalo Public School athletic department to promote youth baseball within the city, assist in skill-based camps and clinics for City of Buffalo High School coaches and players and in the formation of a summer league team whose roster will be comprised of City of Buffalo High School players who will compete in the County of Erie Baseball Association (CEBA).

The Bisons will also fund the hiring of assistant coaches, the purchase of baseball equipment for each of the 12 Buffalo Public High School teams and transportation costs. In addition, Bisons' players and coaches will contribute with hands on instruction throughout the year and the team will also make its batting and pitching facilities available for the teams' use year-round. The Bisons will host the 2nd Annual Robert E. Rich High School Baseball Classic this weekend (April 27-29) at Dunn Tire Park, featuring eight high schools from Western New York including City Honors. The Bisons will also continue to host the City's Cornell Cup Championship Games at Dunn Tire Park.

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International League Stories from April 23, 2007


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