Our History

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 entrepreneur 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.

Early dodgeball days at 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.

Big Apple Kickball debut
Big Apple Kickball debut
This group of kickballers played several games in a trial run on an asphalt court in 2010 (top), before creating Big Apple Kickball's first league on the fields at Chelsea Park in 2011 (bottom), which is still home to the Tuesday league.
"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.

BARS Unification and Revitalization
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

Growth was met with a commitment to inclusive roots. In Fall 2022, BARS conducted a highly successful trial run of an All-Women, Trans, and Non-Binary (WTNB) Kickball team that became a full league by Spring. Reaffirming its core mission, BARS expanded this initiative across every sport, and in 2024 established WTNB as a fully dedicated division (which currently makes up 30% of our players). Later that year, Big Apple Pickleball was proudly launched as the fourth official sport.

Launch of WTNB division and Pickleball
The first All-Women, Trans, & Non-Binary Kickball Team in Fall 2022 (top) served as a trial that led to the first full WTNB+ Kickball League in Spring 2023 (bottom).
Today

Community Powerhouse

Today, BARS amplifies its community impact through several philanthropic events each season. Last year's inaugural Big Apple Sports Classic, the first multi-sport charity tournament of it's kind, was a massive success, raising $25,000 for local LGBTQ+ youth. Plans for the 2nd Annual Big Apple Sports Classic are already underway.

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.

BARS Charity Tournament and Community
The BARS Vice Commissioner & Director of Philanthropy deliver a check for $15,000 to Live Out Loud. A fraction of the $25,000 raised during the first annual Big Apple Sports Classic in 2025.
"[Insert a compelling final quote here about the future of BARS, the ongoing importance of community, or a reflection on how far the organization has come since 2007.]"
— Chase Tucker, Current Commissioner (2026- )