Buffalo, N.Y. – Following a successful inaugural season of Project Play Ball! that drew 575 participants, Project Play WNY is pleased to announce registration is now open for a second season of free house softball, baseball & T-ball leagues in the City of Buffalo. Divisions are available for girls and boys ages 4-13. Spring clinics begin in April 2025, with regular season practices and games following.
The Buffalo Police Athletic League, Willie Hutch Jones Educational & Sports Programs, River Rock Baseball League, and West Side Baseball, Softball & T-ball League have again collaborated to host four in-house leagues at no cost for the East Side, West Side and Black Rock communities. Games and practices will be held at four Buffalo parks:
• Buffalo Police Athletic League at McCarthy Park (304 East Amherst St.)
• Willie Hutch Jones Educational & Sports Programs at Walden Park (100 Bakos Blvd.)
• River Rock Baseball League at Riverside Park (2607 Niagara St.)
• West Side Baseball, Softball & T-ball at Franczyk Park (146 Fleming St.)
Project Play Ball! relies on the collaborative support of several community partners. The Buffalo Bisons will open their facilities for coach trainings and provide Project Play Ball! players tickets to a 2025 Bisons game. 3&2 Baseball will again partner with Project Play WNY to sponsor the purchase of mitts and gloves. Leveling the Playing Field, which recently opened its Western New York warehouse, will supply additional sports equipment to each team.
The level of interest and participation in Project Play Ball! during its inaugural year this past summer reflects a growing need for programs at the neighborhood level. As youth sports have grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry, the focus on elite travel programs prices out many families and pushes out casual athletes. Revitalizing in-house leagues represents one of Project Play WNY’s seven core initiatives.
“At Project Play WNY, we aim to build a community in which all children have the opportunity to be active through sports,” said Aaron Hord, Director, Project Play WNY. “After a successful first season, we’re excited to offer Project Play Ball! again in City of Buffalo neighborhoods and continue the collaboration with several great community partners to further our mission.”
Each of the four leagues will provide programming for the following divisions:
• Co-Ed T-ball – Ages 4-7
• Girls’ Softball – Ages 8-10
• Girls’ Softball – Ages 11-13
• Boys’ Baseball – Ages 8-10
• Boys’ Baseball – Ages 11-13
To learn more and to register, please visit www.projectplaywny.org/project-play-ball.
About Project Play WNY
Project Play Western New York is driven and funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s Youth Sports & Recreation focus area in partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program. Project Play Western New York envisions a community in which all children have the opportunity to be active through sports. Every child—regardless of location, income or ability—should have access to fun and fulfilling physical activities that build confidence and set them on a path for lifelong success. For more information, visit www.projectplaywny.org.
About the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Established in 1919, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation’s care. Learn more at cfgb.org.
About the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.’s devotion to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his beloved Buffalo Bills NFL team. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson provided that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the Foundation that bears his name. Based in Detroit, the Foundation began with a grantmaking capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires January 8, 2035. This structure is consistent with Mr. Wilson’s desire for the Foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable, and overseen by those who knew him best. For more information visit www.rcwjrf.org.