NSB Baseball/Softball History
The North and South Buffalo Baseball League came into existence in 1961. The league was formed because of a few reasons. One, the closest little league was Freeport or Kittaning and second, the kids from the North and South Buffalo area kids were not getting much playing time in the other leagues.
Getting started was rough. South Buffalo was the only Township to participate in the new league in the beginning. They found that the first thing that was needed was a field to play ball on. Two sites were chosen one at the South Buffalo School and another along Furance Run Road. The Furance Run property was and still is own by the Lindsay family. The South Buffalo School field was a cornfield used by a local farmer and the Furance Run field was woods. Volunteers got together and worked endlessly on both of these two areas. After months of work the league had its first fields. The next thing that was needed was equipment. They found that in the form of a sponsor. Sponsorship came from Mr. Lee Bures, Owner of Bures Ford in South Buffalo TWP. Four teams were created and the names of those teams took the names of Ford vehicles, Mustangs, T-Birds, Comets, and Falcons. The first pitch for the new league was thrown in April 1961. The league took off. Three years later in 1964, North Buffalo joined and added two more teams, Bronco's and Keystones. At the time kids from ages 8-12 played together and the league also had a “Senior League” which was 13-15 year olds. The Senior League only lasted about 3 years before it fell through.
In 1980 the league created Major and Minor divisions. The Minors were kids from ages 7,8 and 9. Major league was 10,11 and 12. Seperating the age groups worked well and the kids were able to learn more baseball rather than be scared at a fast ball from a 12 year old etc. In 1994 the league again transformed itself by creating a T-Ball league 5 and 6 year olds. In 1999 the league for the first time went sanctioned instead of being an independent league. The sanction was with PONY baseball. The board believed in the PONY concept that the playing field and baseball skills must grow with the Childs bodies thus a Pinto League 7and 8 year olds was formed, were pitching and a catcher is introduced as well as remove of the Tee from the T-Ball levels. The Mustang League 9 and 10 play on 60ft bases and since the kids are able to start to pitch at the pinto age they are more adapted to the pitching atmosphere as well they are able to starting hitting off of other kids. Stealing bases are introduced in this league also. Bronco League 11 and 12 year olds was formed also, were this age group plays on 70ft base where “real” baseball is now in play. These kids start to lead off on the base paths and the pitcher holds the runners on the bases and the catchers must be on their toes to get runner out, just like real baseball. NSB has always wanted to try and keep the kids involved in baseball longer than age 12 and with the PONY concept of the 70 ft bases it brought the fun back to baseball. In 2005 the Slate Lick PONY league and NSB merged. The Slate Lick brought back a 13 & 14 year old league to NSB again and for the first time added a Colt team which was called Freeport Colts. Both Leagues were promptly sanctioned with PONY Baseball also, and although they carry different names other than NSB they were sanctioned under the NSB name. The board members decided there was no reason to rename the PONY and Colt teams NSB, they instead felt that no matter what name is chosen having a quality program means more. In 2007 NSB adopted a Palomnio Team called the Freeport Palomino's. It was at this point that the board decided that there was to much confusin and renamed all the ages from 13 and up Freeport after the school district it resides in.
The League from the beginning has always accepted boys and girls into it’s baseball program. That changed slightly in 2004. For the first time in League History a softball league was formed with an ASA charter in the Alle-Kiski league. The new league was called Buffalo Valley softball and the home of the newly formed league is at the Buffalo School. The Alle-Kiski league plays teams from Natrona Heights, Burrell, Valley, Saxonburg, Leechburg, Ford City etc. In other words they pretty much play the same teams our children will see in their High School ages. The Alle-Kiski League is a highly competitive League more so than any other league around. The league focuses not only on how to play baseball/softball, but also sportsmanship and cooperation. Leadership skills are taught as well as team work.
Our Purpose/Vision
NSB Baseball/ Buffalo Valley Softball/ Slate Lick PONY is an instructional organization of volunteers dedicated to teaching fundamental skills to the young athletes of our community. We believe that every athlete is entitled to equal participation based on each child’s maturity and ability level without favoritism. We believe player improvement is achieved through positive encouragement, patience, instruction, and leadership. We believe in the right of each player to have fun and be treated with respect, dignity, and fairness. Above all, we believe success is defined not by wins and losses but by the improvement of the athlete’s abilities and his/her contribution through the commitment of giving their best effort to the play of the game.
We are dedicated to helping our children becoming good and decent citizens. By teaching the values of teamwork, fair play and sportsmanship we are building a foundation that will enable them to grow into outstanding citizens of tomorrow.
For Forty Six years the North and South Buffalo Baseball League has helped the Youths of Armstrong County become better citizens. The year 2007 will continue that great tradition.