In its second year in existence, the Whiffy Fund provided free baseball tickets during the spring and summer of 2024 for thousands of youth, family members and not-for-profits, according to a statement, including 2,500 youth last summer.

“The Whiffy Fund,” said Greg Peterson, an attorney and partial team owner of the Tarp Skunks, “this fund allows for people, groups and non-profit organizations to come to a baseball game, free of charge.”

The Tarp Skunks play in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL), a 16-team collegiate summer baseball league. As of 2022, all teams are located within New York state. Moreover, all players in the league must have National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) eligibility remaining to participate. Each team plays an eight-week, 48-game schedule, from June to August with playoffs in early August.

“It’s provided access to so many children and youth groups who might not have had access before and gives them an evening of safe and fun time with friends and family,” said Randy Anderson, Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame director.

From left, Tory Irgang, executive director of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, stands next to the Jamestown Tarp Skunks official Mascot Whiffy, and Randy Anderson, president of the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame. Submitted photo

Attendance broke records in 2024, with Christian Dolce, Tarp Skunks general manager, saying more than 21,000 people visited Russell E. Diethrick Park this year. Attendance per game averaged 900, he said, with five buyout nights that covered game admission for anyone who wanted to attend.

“This fund is an example of how the foundation partners with community organizations to achieve a considerable and far-reaching impact,” said Tory Irgang, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation executive director. .

Irgang said gifts to the Whiffy Fund directly support access to their games by area youth and can be made online by visiting crcf.me/whiffy. Peterson added that anyone requesting tickets can contact the Tarp Skunk’s General Manager and at christian@tarpskunks.net , or call the Tarp Skunks home office at 716-705-5600.