Seward Bill OK’d

For Baseball To Be

NY Official Sport

Assembly, Governor Must Now Act

On CCS Fourth Graders’ Request

ALBANY – State Sen. Jim Seward’s bill designating baseball New York’s official state sport has passed the Senate, the Milford Republican’s office announced today.

“It is time that we formally recognize baseball as our official state sport,” Seward said.

“Baseball is known as our national pastime but the game has deep roots and a rich history here in New York State,” he continued.  “From the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in storied Cooperstown, to the Mets and Yankees – the pinnacles of Major League Baseball, to countless college, high school, and Little League teams, New York State is clearly the epicenter of baseball history and greatness. “

Seward’s legislation was crafted after receiving an appeal from Anne Reis’ fourth graders (now sixth graders) at Cooperstown Elementary School.

“While studying New York State government and state symbols, the students realized that we lack a state sport,” Reis said.  “They immediately decided that baseball would be the perfect fit to fill the void and set to work building a strong case to present to Senator Seward.  Learning that legislation based on their work is advancing at the state Capitol is extremely rewarding and exciting.”

New York State has previously designated an official gemstone (garnet), fossil (sea scorpion), shell (bay scallop), bush (lilac), salt water fish (striped bass), and reptile (snapping turtle), to name a few.

The bill makes sense to Baseball Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson, who called Cooperstown “the spiritual home of baseball, and the eternal home of our Hall of Famers,” visited by 17 million fans since 1939.

Companion legislation has been introduced in the state assembly by Assemblyman Bill Magee and referred to the Assembly Governmental Operations Committee.