NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Buffalo Bisons

Bisons Create Buffalo Middle School Developmental Baseball League

September 7, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


The Buffalo Bisons today announced that they have teamed up with the New Era Cap Company and the law firm of O'Brien & Boyd to form the Buffalo Middle School Developmental Fall Baseball League.

For the first time ever, seventh and eighth grade Buffalo Public School and Charter School students will be able to participate in a fall baseball league.

The league expands the Bisons adoption of the City of Buffalo High School Baseball program announced in April 2007. Bisons' owners Bob and Mindy Rich unveiled their multi-year plan to assist the development of the city's high school baseball program.

The Middle School Developmental Fall League will be comprised of four teams (60 students) and play from September 17 to October 14. The league is the first of its kind in the city of Buffalo and will focus on skill development, sportsmanship and team building.

"We all noticed a drop off in interest when these kids reach high school," said Frank DiLeo, City Honors teacher and baseball coach. "A lot of kids want to play ball, but don't have the skills necessary to compete on a high school level."

DiLeo was the coach of the Junior Bisons, a team formed this past summer as part of the Bisons high school baseball program. That team competed in the CEBA (County of Erie Baseball Association).

DiLeo has teamed up with Paul Smaldone, Coordinator of High School Baseball for the Buffalo Bisons, Jay Randazzo, local businessman and little league coach, John Grandits, former City Honors teacher and baseball coach, to form this new league. The group has received financial support from the Bisons and O'Brien & Boyd with additional resources from the New Era Cap Company.

The league will begin this fall with 60 players. Four teams will be formed from the North, South, East and West parts of the city. Players will play modified games and will focus on development. Coaches and umpires are currently being recruited and will be trained according to the league's coaching standards. The season will run at no-cost to students.

Details on joining the Buffalo Middle School Developmental Baseball league:

-Sign-up: Tuesday, September 11 and Wednesday, September 12 from 3 pm - 5 pm at McCarthy Park, Okell Park, Riverside Park and Shoshone Park.

-Students interested in playing should sign-up at one of the above parks, closest to where they live. Four teams will be formed from North, South, East and West parts of the city.

-Open to all Buffalo Public School and Charter School students. Only the first 60 students who sign-up will be eligible to play (others will be put on a waiting list).

Check out the Buffalo Bisons Statistics

• Discuss this story on the International League message board...

International League Stories from September 7, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central