''The First Pitch'' is a 2012

bronze statue Bronze is the most popular metal for cast metal sculptures; a cast bronze sculpture is often called simply "a bronze". It can be used for statues, singly or in groups, reliefs, and small statuettes and figurines, as well as bronze elements t ...

James D. Griffin James Donald "Jimmy" Griffin (June 29, 1929 – May 25, 2008) was an American politician who served in the New York State Senate (56th District, 1967–77) and then for 16 years as the Mayor of Buffalo, New York (1978–93). He later returned t ...

, 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 the ...

in Buffalo. 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, Nort ...

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 Baseball culture 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) Sculptures of sports Statues in New York (state) {{NewYork-sculpture-stub