Kickball for K9's
The Syracuse Recreation & Rescue vision starts here. Join us in partnership with PlaySSA at the fields behind The Spinning Wheel Restaurant & Sports Complex for a tournament where every team is paired with an adoptable coach (furry pups!)
It's not just a game — it's a demonstration of how shared activity builds unbreakable bonds. Teams representing the city, county, first responders, local businesses and the general public will compete alongside animal shelters and veterinary care facilities.
The primary goal of the tournament is to unite our animal advocacy network and open new lines of communication. Syracuse Recreation & Rescue is honored to serve as a facilitator. Any proceeds from the tournament will support Syracuse Recreation & Rescue launch efforts and be distributed among participating animal shelters.
What to Expect
- 01Kickball tournament in partnership with PlaySSA including animal shelters and mixed community teams. Full day, rain or shine, 3 games guaranteed, 5 innings or 30 minutes each (may change slightly)
- 02Adoptable dogs on the sidelines for meet-and-greets
- 03Raffles, mini-games and family friendly activities
- 04Music by DJ Fletch from All Party DJ and food available for purchase from Ponchitos food truck and The Spinning Wheel
Event Details + Participant Guide
We appreciate your interest in Syracuse Recreation & Rescue's Inaugural Kickball for K9's Invitational, created to benefit local animal shelters in partnership with PlaySSA. Your registration and donation helps breathe new life into animal welfare service and directly support our local shelters. Registration, donation and sponsorship options can be selected through the registration form, and we welcome conversations about volunteering, partnerships and sponsorships. Please share this guide with friends, family and your network. Event details are subject to change, so please watch for updates before tournament day.
Take the full three-page Event Details + Participant Guide with you, or print and share it with your team.
PDF · 3 PAGES ↓Date | Time | Location
The Syracuse Recreation & Rescue Kickball for K9's Invitational, in partnership with PlaySSA, is happening Sunday, September 20, 2026 at The Spinning Wheel Restaurant & Sports Complex, 7384 Thompson Rd, North Syracuse, NY 13212. The fields are adjacent to the restaurant and managed by PlaySSA. You can park in the grass, in rows. The ceremonial first pitch is scheduled for 10:00 AM with the tournament starting immediately after, so we recommend arriving between 9:00 and 9:30 AM so we can sort through any last-minute registration details and have a brief introduction. This is a big moment for Syracuse Recreation & Rescue and for our area animal welfare service providers, and we truly appreciate you being there to celebrate and support the mission.
Tournament
This is a rain or shine event because kickball even in the rain can make for a truly memorable experience. We will have a great time regardless. Feel free to bring a pop-up tent, rain jacket, some snacks, whatever beverages you prefer and whatever else you may need to be comfortable for the day. Tournament structure is to be determined, but every team is guaranteed 3 games, even if they wind up eliminated after 2. All games will be 5 or 6 innings max with a time limit (30–40 minutes depending on the number of teams). Ceremonial first pitch is at 10:00 AM and the first round of games should start by 10:15 AM. We anticipate eliminated teams could be free to leave by 1:00 PM, with a champion crowned sometime between 3:00 and 4:00 PM.
Food | Facilities
The Spinning Wheel Restaurant is on location and sells food, and we have also commissioned Ponchito's food truck for a few hours during the event. Food and drinks are not included with any tournament participation and are purchased directly through on-site vendors. There are Porta Potties on location with hand sanitizer, but no sink and soap. There is a full bathroom inside The Spinning Wheel Restaurant that will be accessible during their normal hours of operation, but they do not open until 11:00 AM on Sunday, the day of the tournament. We are planning to have a small portable sink setup between 9:00 and 11:00 AM for those that need it, but keep this in mind and plan ahead.
Pets
Since this is a tournament to benefit shelter animals, it goes without saying that shelter dogs come from all different backgrounds and have different likes, dislikes and tolerances. Adoptable shelter animals will come and go throughout the day in small windows so as not to over-stimulate them or stress them out. We encourage you to interact with them, in line with any rules that their handlers require. That said, it is a very long day for your own pet to be in attendance the entire duration and on a leash. Given the unique nature of the tournament, the size of it and how many shelter dogs could potentially be in attendance, it may not be the best day to bring a pet. If you do bring a pet, they would need to be on a leash and attended to by a person holding the leash the entire duration. Thank you for understanding the exposure and safe space we are trying to create for shelter animals at this tournament and assisting this effort to the best of your ability.
Prizes + Raffles
There will be a prize awarded for the tournament winner and prize baskets that will be raffled off in the second half of the tournament. Raffle tickets will be sold throughout the day for prize baskets and a 50/50. Donations are appreciated and needed. Cash payments are accepted as well as credit card with a portable Square terminal on location. We will also be able to accept Venmo payments. As a reminder, since Syracuse Recreation & Rescue is currently a pilot project pending official organization, we have partnered with RescueLove Inc. as our fiscal sponsor, managing all finances for this event. RescueLove Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) official non-profit animal welfare organization serving the Syracuse and Central New York area, located at 922 Old Liverpool Road, Liverpool, NY 13088.
Drinks + Behavior
While alcohol is permitted, responsible consumption goes without saying. We will have shelter dogs in attendance which requires good behavior from our attendees, out of respect for everyone involved, including our shelter animals that have already been through so much. Cans are preferable, and please do not leave trash laying around. Anyone appearing to be intoxicated or generally behaving in a manner that is detrimental to any guest will be asked to leave the tournament area. This is a charity tournament, so drunk or aggressive behavior on or off the field will not be tolerated. Thank you for helping us make this a successful event.
Music
We will have central music playing with a DJ setup, so personal Bluetooth speakers are probably not necessary unless you are further from the DJ setup. If you find the need to use your personal Bluetooth, please choose a volume level that is personal to your bench so music is not competing across the tournament and serving as a deterrent for other participants, especially our shelter animals. Remember: whatever you hear, they hear louder.
Ways to Help Beyond Registration
Additional donation and sponsorship opportunities can be selected from the tournament registration link. Please contact Syracuse Recreation & Rescue if you need help submitting a donation or if you would like to discuss volunteer, partnership or sponsorship opportunities. Sharing tournament information with friends, family, teammates, coworkers and your extended network is also a meaningful way to support the launch.
Proceeds
Proceeds from the tournament will support Syracuse Recreation & Rescue launch efforts and be distributed across a selection of our participating animal shelters.
Fiscal Sponsor
Syracuse Recreation & Rescue is currently operating as a pilot project pending formal organization. RescueLove Inc. is serving as the fiscal sponsor and managing finances for this event. RescueLove Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization serving Syracuse and Central New York, located at 922 Old Liverpool Road, Liverpool, NY 13088.
Event Details May Change
Please stay tuned. Check for tournament updates between now and September 20, including any changes to timing, facilities, participating shelters, vendors or day-of logistics.
This is a major launch moment for Syracuse Recreation & Rescue and for our area's animal welfare providers. Registration and updates: syrrecrescue.com