Why was everyone smiling from ear to ear at Dunn Tire Park this past Monday?

The Buffalo Bisons held a crowded news conference, with a veritable “who’s who” at the head table—Bisons owners Robert and Mindy Rich, Mayor Byron Brown, Superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools Dr. James Williams and Buffalo Public Schools Athletic Director David Thomas among them.

Bisons President Jon Dandes opened the program with this big announcement: The team has adopted the entire 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.

While not disclosing a dollar figure attached to the entire package, Vice President and General Manager Mike Buczkowski stated that this commitment is multi-year in nature and open-ended. “Whatever it takes to get the job done,” said Buczkowski.

Included in the program is funding for the purchase of equipment, upgrades to practice facilities, salaries for new assistant coaches and, in partnership with New Era Cap Company, significant funding to renovate the Johnnie B. Wiley athletic fields, located on the site of the former War Memorial Stadium. The first phase will include new field drainage, dugouts and addition of new batting cages. The Bisons will continue to make available Dunn Tire Park for the schools’ Cornell Cup championship games.

Mindy Rich proudly stated that she and her husband have had a lifelong commitment to baseball ever since they got involved back in the 1980s. “We fought for this stadium, we fought for this team, and now we’re fighting to give these young people the opportunity to excel in baseball and provide the tools they need to do just that,” said Rich.

Buczkowski said that this is not a renewed commitment by the team towards the community, but an extension of an ongoing commitment to public service. “The Riches have always been at the forefront of making great things happen here in Western New York. Should anyone be surprised that they have made this pledge to our youth? I’m not.”