''The First Pitch'' is a 2012

bronze statue Bronze is an alloy consisting primarily of copper, commonly with about 12–12.5% tin and often with the addition of other metals (including aluminium, manganese, nickel, or zinc) and sometimes non-metals (such as phosphorus) or metalloids (su ...

of James D. Griffin, by William Koch. It is located at Swan Street and Washington Street, outside

Sahlen Field Sahlen Field is a baseball park in Buffalo, New York, United States. Originally known as Pilot Field, the venue has since been named Downtown Ballpark, North AmeriCare Park, Dunn Tire Park, and Coca-Cola Field. Home to the Buffalo Bisons of t ...

Buffalo Buffalo most commonly refers to: * True buffalo or Bubalina, a subtribe of wild cattle, including most "Old World" buffalo, such as water buffalo * Bison, a genus of wild cattle, including the American buffalo * Buffalo, New York, a city in the n ...

. Griffin, the former Mayor of Buffalo, was instrumental in getting Sahlen Field built and bringing the

Buffalo Bisons The Buffalo Bisons (known colloquially as the Herd) are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Located in Buffalo, New York, the team plays their home games at Sahlen Fiel ...

franchise to the city while he was in office. Following his death in 2008, Griffin was posthumously honored by the

Buffalo Common Council The Buffalo Common Council is the legislative branch of the city of Buffalo, New York government. It is a representative assembly, with one elected member from each of nine districts: Niagara, Delaware, Masten, Ellicott, Lovejoy, Fillmore, North ...

after they voted to change Sahlen Field's address to One James D. Griffin Plaza. The work depicts Griffin throwing the

ceremonial first pitch The ceremonial first pitch is a longstanding ritual of baseball in which a guest of honor throws a ball to mark the end of pregame festivities and the start of the game. Originally, the guest threw a ball from their seat in the grandstand to ...

at Sahlen Field's inaugural game on April 14, 1988.

References

External links

Buffalo Architecture and History – ''The First Pitch''
2012 sculptures Buffalo Bisons (minor league) Buildings and structures in Buffalo, New York Monuments and memorials in New York (state) Outdoor sculptures in New York (state) Sculptures of men in New York (state) Baseball sculptures Statues in New York (state) {{NewYork-sculpture-stub