Amherst, N.Y. (WBEN) - Despite not currently being under contract with the Buffalo Bills, veteran safety Micah Hyde says he couldn't think of any better place to hold his annual Charity Softball Game than in Western New York.
"What this community has given to us, and we know how awesome this game is. If I could say for the next 100 years, the Hydes are going to come back in town to [host] this game, I would definitely do it. I would sign up on that right away, because it's so cool to see the community support not only my family, but the foundation," said Hyde during a press event for this Sunday's game.
Hyde is back in town this weekend for his fourth annual Micah Hyde Charity Softball Game taking place at Sahlen Field in Downtown Buffalo. He's, once again, looking forward to all the support from Bills fans from across the region.
"13,400 tickets have had been sold already, which is exciting. We're looking to get 16,000, get another sell out like we did last year," Hyde said.
While Hyde is technically not on the roster with the Bills, he's still been able to visit the team in Orchard Park and chat with a number of former teammates. He says many of the players, around 35 of them right now, are signed up and eager to take part once again.
"Guys are excited, already talking about the Home Run Derby and who's gonna win," Hyde said. "Obviously everyone's anticipating the guys showing up. Josh Allen, yes, will be there, that's the big question. 'D-Dawk' [Dion Dawkins], [Matt] Milano, you go down the roster, a lot of guys are going to be there. So super excited just to have their support."
The annual Micah Hyde Charity Softball Game goes to benefit Hyde's charity, IMagINe for Youth foundation , which empowers all kids facing financial hardships to thrive by providing necessary resources for education or athletics to help achieve success. And the foundation goes to helping kids not just in Buffalo and Western New York.
"Kicks for Kids events, I've got a scholarship program in my hometown, my high school that I'm continuing to work on and is in Year 2 of, trying to give scholarship money to the kids that continue to play multiple sports and get good grades, Back to School drives. Just a lot of things that we do to try to help out the youth and give them whether it's positive role models or financial struggles that they may have, we try to release the burden for that," Hyde explained.
In addition, Hyde says some of the funds raised during this year's event will be donated to other players' foundations that come and play in the game, or who have donor advised funds.
Hyde adds this year's event will be a more family-oriented event not just for the fans, but also for the players taking part in the game and Home Run Derby.
"It's fun that way to walk out there and see all the kids that are screaming for all the players, and guys signing autographs and stuff like that," Hyde noted. "I worked with Lammi Sports in Green Bay, it wasn't my game but it was Jordy Nelson and all those type of guys. I was able to experience it from a player standpoint and walking into it and being like, 'Wow, this is really cool.' And so once we got to Buffalo, I knew that it would be - nothing against Green Bay - ours here is way better. It's just way better because of the community support, and what 'Bills Mafia' brings to this. They show out, they show up. Last year it was raining and they still were a part of it. It was still a sold out crowds. So get up, show up early and have some fun."
In addition, this year's event is expected to be bigger and better than ever before with an expanded pregame tailgate, as well as an enhanced game experience for the fans.
"The tailgate last year, which I wasn't really sure how it would turn out, heard it was amazing. This year, we're shutting down the street," Hyde said. "This is 'Bills Mafia', and there's no other way to do it. That's another thing we're excited for."
Festivities begin at 9 a.m. ET with the pregame plaza tailgate at the ballpark, with gates opening at Sahlen Field starting at 11:30 a.m. ET.
The Home Run Derby is slated to start at 1 p.m. ET, while the game is expected to start around 2 p.m. ET. WGR Bills beat reporter Sal Capaccio will, once again, serve as emcee throughout the afternoon.
Tickets are still available for the event, starting at $35. You can find a link for more details here:
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