Pat Sullivan, who played amateur baseball in WNY in the 1950’s and 1960’s, had an idea to honor distinguished, amateur baseball, umps, coaches, sponsors, etc. in WNY.

In the mid 1990’s, Pat gathered a group of friends who were mostly players to discuss his idea and begin the process.

In 1997, the first and largest number of players was inducted.

Including the 2007 inductees, there are 260 inductees, including players, umps, sponsors, coaches, etc. going back to the 1920’s and 1930’s, which some opine was the best amateur baseball ever played in Buffalo, up to the 1980’s. Others inducted include teams such as the famous Simon Pure's who were perennial champs going back to about 1900, with a few years off during prohibition, until the brewery closed in 1970. The Boston Town team of the 1960’s and 1970’s who were multi year champs in the Suburban league. “Contributors” to baseball in WNY such as Fr. “Duke” Zacaj who has run the Parochial school league for over 35 years, which even in 2007, had 1,000 boys playing at the elementary school level. The late Cy Williams, from South Buffalo, reputed to be one of baseball’s top scouts ever, signing over 50 players, many from WNY, who became Major Leaguers. Marion Fricano, former North Collins great who eventually pitched in the Major’s. Don Colpoys, former pro player, GM of the Buffalo Bisons, and player/manager of the famed Simon Pure’s for over to 15 years. Bob Miske, a baseball scout for over 40 years and currently pro scout for the Mariners, who is also in 6, sports Hall of Fame’s. Brad Hafner, owner and long time team sponsor of the West Herr teams in a number of baseball leagues, for decades. Vince McNamara, local baseball figure, who was also President, for many years, of the New York-Penn professional baseball league.

(It should be pointed out, to distinguish from the other Hall’s in Buffalo, the Buffalo Bison’s have a Hall and they honor baseball pros whether they are players, umps, scouts, etc. who either played in Buffalo or were from Buffalo. The Greater Buffalo Hall of Fame honor athletes of all sports, at all levels, from pros (Bills, Sabres, Bison’s) to amateur, who played in WNY or were from WNY.)

Nomination Process

There is a formal process, with forms and dates, one has to go through to be nominated, then selected to be inducted. And there is a Board (see the biographies of the current Board members in the Members section of this site.) that not only run the activities (see the Calendar of Events) of the Hall but also gather nominations and information, and also selects Inductees.

How to qualify for WNY Baseball Hall

In order to be nominated to the WNY Baseball Hall, there are a number of minimum qualifications: A) the player or individual or team must have played or been involved a minimum of five (5) years, B) over those minimum five years, the person, team etc. must have “distinguished” himself/themself, meaning he/they must have been an exceptional player as exemplified by being chosen on All Star teams numerous times, having hit over .400 over many years, having hit many home runs, having pitched “no hitters”, been on many championship teams, etc, with many of these feats witnessed in newspaper accounts, or by letters of witnesses. And C) The person must have played at the highest level, which is defined as AA or AAA, depending on the years, MUNY; the Cheektowaga Classic League of the 1960’s and 1970’s; and/or the Suburban League.

Playing baseball in PAL, AAABA, American Legion, college whether 2 or 4 years, playing at the pro level, winning leagues or tournaments whether regional or national, going to Johnstown (AAABA) and distinguishing your self, making the Conference Team, etc. enriches the quality of the nomination, but does not supersede the 3 basic qualifications above.

Many nominees have been involved in amateur baseball in WNY for 10 or 20 or more years; with all the years at lower levels, and without winning championships. This is very admirable given that this supports the rise of the better players and provides competition for the players.

However the 3 basic qualifications mentioned above are the standards that has been set and used since the beginning.

In conclusion, although we often hear criticisms that some person should be in, some shouldn’t be in, some should have gotten in before others, more should be inducted, some other types should be inducted, etc. we, the Board, hold the integrity of the Hall as defined in the mid 1990’s and outlined above, the inductees and the selection process critical to the quality of organization. Almost every year there is strong debate about candidates during the selection process. Your assist in nominating candidates, providing supporting information, supporting our calendar of events, volunteering in and attending our events, etc. will help us keep the integrity of the organization at the highest level.

To inquire about the process, forms for applying to be nominated, any questions, etc. email Don O’Brien, our current Secretary, at obrien301@aol.com.

If you have any other questions, suggestions, etc. you can also email this site.

Our Mission

Although our original mission was to honor outstanding, amateur baseball players in WNY, we have expanded our mission as we have grown, note our calendar of events, this website and items below. And as we are fortunate to generate surplus funds, we are and will donate baseball equipment to youth baseball organizations in WNY, many that have been named above.

We have plans to expand this website where all inductees will have their induction write up and picture in the Members section. And you can also participate by suggesting items on this website for the website, for the organization, and the members.

Your participation at our events helps to financially support these programs.

Over the last few years we have partnered with New Era Cap Company to have this website, put on a baseball coaches clinic, and in 2009 we will have a display of inductees’ pictures and write ups, memorabilia (uniforms, hats, trophies, that you can also provide) of past teams, players, etc. at the New Era Park, on Lake Ave. in Blasdell.

Help support baseball in WNY by attending baseball games from any level.

Hope to see you at our next event.