Join us on Saturday, January 28th, at 12:00pm, at 11th Street Field, as Mayor Davis and the Division of Recreation hold a special press event on the announcement of our incredible $1,000,000.00 federal grant for our BUDDY BASEBALL FIELD OF DREAMS.

Mayor Jimmy Davis is proud to announce the Division of Recreation has been awarded a grant in the amount of $1,000,000.00 for the Special Needs Baseball League, Buddy Baseball, Field of Dreams, located at 11th Street and Avenue E.

The ADA Accessibility Project will include specifically designed upgrades at the field and facility.  Upgrades include, but are not limited to, a new playing area, dugouts, bleachers, restrooms, fencing, handicap access to and from the field, and playground.

The “Buddy Baseball League,” originated in 2015, is a program for developmentally and physically challenged youth, helping them to enjoy the full benefits of baseball participation in an athletic environment structured to their abilities. More than the skills of baseball and softball learned through the experience, the value of the “Buddy Baseball” League is found in the proven therapeutic and socialization benefits of participating in sports, the strengthening of participants’ self-esteem, the opportunities to mainstream into other divisions of play, and the disciplines of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play.

Buddy Baseball will begin the 8th season on May 6, 2023.

Mayor Davis and the Division of Recreation will hold a press conference at the 11th Street Field on Saturday, January 28th, at 12:00pm.  (Weather permitting/subject to change)

Mayor Davis said, “The City of Bayonne would like to thank Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker for this $1 million federal grant. It will give a big boost to our special needs' baseball players. We look forward to redesigning the field to provide a wonderful facility for our great Buddy Baseball program.”

”We have created amazing memories over the past 8 years with Buddy Baseball.  It is hard to put into words the excitement and joy this grant means to the Division of Recreation, but more importantly, how much it means to our players and our Buddy Baseball families.  We are grateful to those who worked determinedly to make this dream a reality.  The Sky is the limit, and our future will be a great one,” said Pete Amadeo, Superintendent of Recreation.

Senator Cory Booker and Senator Bob Menendez were able to secure tens of millions of dollars for key community projects in cities and townships across New Jersey including Newark, Passaic, Bayonne, Paterson, Lakewood, Clayton, Cape May and Mount Holly; and for countywide projects in Burlington County, Union County and Hudson County.