***MEDIA ADVISORY***

16-YEAR-OLD COMMUNITY LEADER TO HOST 3RD ANNUAL YOUTH BASEBALL GAME IN PATERSON

Ajay Tolia Unites Young Athletes From Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children with the Wladyka Baseball Club and Delbarton Athletics

Paterson, NJ—On Friday, May 29, 2026, Mayor Andre Sayegh will join 16-year-old community leader Ajay Tolia for the Youth Get Next 501(c)(3)3rd annual Baseball Scrimmage, a dynamic event bringing together young baseball players from Oasis and the Wladyka Baseball Club.

This 3rd annual scrimmage game marks a major milestone in high school sophomore Ajay Tolia’s mission to expand access to the educational and developmental benefits of extracurricular programs in underserved communities. Over the past four years, Ajay has worked closely with students in the afterschool program at Oasis in Paterson. What began as academic tutoring sessions for 3rd-6th grade students evolved into nearly weekly baseball clinics, serving 20–30 students in the Oasis parking lot.

With support from community partners Jim Wladyka from the Wladyka Baseball Club, Bobby Jones of the NJ Jackals, Brian Verhasselt from the Hinchliffe Stadium and Dr. Tony Negrin Director of Athletics at the Delbarton School, Ajay has developed an impactful, full-scale youth baseball initiative. The year-round program includes an equipment drive that successfully collects essential baseball gear and instructional baseball clinics at Oasis, culminating in a live scrimmage at Hinchliffe Stadium. In preparation for this year’s event, Ajay also organized a special field trip to Delbarton School for the Oasis students giving them an opportunity to experience a high school baseball game.

The scrimmage will take place at the historic Hinchliffe Stadium prior to a New Jersey Jackals game, providing Oasis students with the unique opportunity to play in a professional setting. The experience will include access to the stadium scoreboard, dugouts, and time with Jackals players, giving the young athletes an authentic game-day experience.

What:

16 Year-Old Community Leader Hosts 3rd Annual Baseball Scrimmage for Paterson Youth

When:

Friday, May 29, 2026 at 4 PM

Who:

Mayor Andre Sayegh, City of Paterson

Ajay Tolia, Youth Get Next

Youth Participants from Oasis - a Haven for Women and Children

Members of the Wladyka Baseball Club

Members of the NJ Jackals

Members of the Paterson Community

Members of the Paterson City Council