Our History

A profound desire for genuine inclusion transformed a single team into New York City’s premier destination for LGBTQ+ recreational sports.
2007

The Spark of Inclusion

The story of Big Apple Rec Sports (BARS) began when New York-based television director and part-time bartender, Mark Marracini, formed a predominantly queer dodgeball team within a traditional, less inclusive league. This profound desire for genuine community culminated in the founding of Big Apple Dodgeball later that fall.

Fueled by grassroots recruiting at local community staples like GYM Sportsbar and Cubbyhole, the inaugural season officially launched on Mondays at the West Village's Tony Dapolito Center.

From top: The original Big Apple Dodgeball logo from 2007; The early years at the Tony Dapolito Center (Spring 2010).
"Somewhere in '05 or '06, I put together a predominantly gay dodgeball team called 'The Mariah Scareys' in a straight dodgeball league, and my experience there was partly what made me want to start a gay league in NYC. We needed our own league where we could be free to be ourselves."
— Mark Marracini, Founder of Big Apple Dodgeball
2011

Early Expansion

Driven by early success, the organization soon began to expand. Following a successful year of trial games, Big Apple Kickball debuted at Chelsea Park with six teams. This was shortly followed by the launch of Big Apple Bowling at Frames in Hell's Kitchen, proving the community's hunger for inclusive recreational spaces.

"When I was Commissioner, my goals were to bring stability, structure, and consistency to the three sports. We grew so much so fast, I wanted the next phase to be focused on the player experience, and ultimately rebranding the three individual sports under the Big Apple Recreational Sports (BARS) brand in 2013."
— Mike Giuggio, Former Commissioner (2012-2013)
2013 - 2021

Unification & Revitalization

To reflect the growing roster of activities, BARS officially launched as a cohesive, unified brand in the Summer of 2013. Following a period of foundational leadership development, and recovering from a global pandemic, the organization entered an era of rapid revitalization in 2021, scaling its operations to meet the growing demand and beginning to host leagues across multiple days of the week.

The original Big Apple Recreational Sports logo served as the organization's branded mark from 2013 - 2022. It has since been adapted to reflect the ever-expanding and inclusive nature of BARS.
2022 - 2024

A Deepened Commitment

As BARS grew, it remained deeply committed to its inclusive roots. In Fall 2021, Big Apple Kickball piloted several all-Women & Gender Minorities (WGM) teams. The trial was a massive success, evolving into a full 90-player kickball league by Spring 2022. Reaffirming its core mission, BARS expanded this initiative across every sport, officially establishing a dedicated Women, Trans, & Non-Binary (WTNB) division in 2024—a vibrant community that now makes up 30% of our player base. Later that year, Big Apple Pickleball was proudly launched as the fourth official sport.

One of the first all-Women & Gender Minorities kickball teams in Fall 2021 (top) served as a trial that led to the first full WTNB+ Kickball League in Spring 2022 (bottom).
2025-2026

Community Powerhouse

Last year's inaugural Big Apple Sports Classic, the first multi-sport charity tournament of it's kind, was a massive success, raising $15,000 for local LGBTQ+ youth. The 2nd Annual Big Apple Sports Classic is planned for Fall 2026 and will continue for years to come.

Today, BARS continues to amplify its community impact through several philanthropic events each season. Big Apple Rec Sports is now a vibrant community boasting a seasonal average of 2,500 players, standing proud as a premier, high-visibility destination for LGBTQ+ social and recreational sports in New York City.

The BARS Vice Commissioner & Director of Philanthropy deliver a check for $15,000 to Live Out Loud, during the inaugural Big Apple Sports Classic in 2025.
2027

20 Years of Community