Michael J. Billoni, book publisher and former vice president/general manager of the Buffalo Bisons, will visit Bases Loaded Sports Collectibles from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, to sign copies of The Seasons of Buffalo Baseball 1857-2020. Bases Loaded is located at 794 French Road, Cheektowaga.
The hardcover baseball book, three years in the making, contains more than 150 images, rare illustrations and cartoons, and 400 pages of baseball facts and follies, all highlighting a 163-year love affair between the City of Buffalo and the grand old game.
“In 1985, when my father wrote The 100 Seasons of Buffalo Bisons Baseball, it encouraged widespread interest in the team’s history,” said James Overfield, editor of the book. “His plan had always been to write an update, but sadly he passed in 2000 before accomplishing that objective. After going through his boxes of notes and memorabilia on the subject, I decided to take on my father’s book editing and writing challenge. The release of this book is truly the culmination of my father’s dream and my tribute to him and his passion for Buffalo baseball.”
For publisher Billoni, also a member of the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame, he is most excited about charitable aspect of the project. “This update and revision of Joe Overfield’s original book means a lot to me because I worked closely with Joe on getting it to print. I look forward to keeping Joe’s legacy alive through a portion of our book sale proceeds and sponsorships funding through the Joseph M. Overfield Memorial Baseball, Softball, Soccer and Mentoring Program. It’s a collaboration with Omega Mentoring and the Willie ‘Hutch’ Jones Education and Sports Program that will operate out of the Johnnie B. Wiley Amateur Athletic Sports Pavilion, formerly War Memorial Stadium, which is where Joe threw out a first pitch to launch his book during the 1985 Bisons season.”
For more information on Bases Loaded Sports Collectibles, please visit basesny.com or call 656-0066. You can also follow the business on Facebook and Twitter for frequent updates.
