In the late 1980s, Major League Baseball was of a high mind to expand, looking for potential cities to host brand-new franchises. Into this fray leapt the city of Buffalo…. FAST FACTS Opened: April 14, 1988 Capacity: 18,025 seating + 150 standing room Dimensions: 325L, 371LC, 404C, 367RC, 325R Surface: Kentucky Blue Grass Owner: City […]
Tag Archives | buffalo bisons
It’s official: Bisons, Blue Jays sign affiliation deal
A deal has finally been announced, as the Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League) and the Toronto Blue Jays signed a two-year player-development contract, through 2014. “We are thrilled to enter into partnership with the Buffalo Bisons organization and more specifically with Mindy and Bob Rich who we have known for many years,” said Toronto […]
Mets to Vegas; Blue Jays to Buffalo
The New York Mets announced a new player-development deal with the Las Vegas 51s (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) — which means an affiliation deal for the only two players left standing: the Toronto Blue Jays and the Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League). “We are familiar with many of the front office personnel with […]
Blue Jays, Bisons already talking affiliation
We expect a deal to come out of this, as the Toronto Blue Jays and Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League) are talking about the parameters of a new player-development contract. It’s a match made in heaven: it brings the Blue Jays back to the International League at a ballpark close to home, and it […]
Rx for the Buffalo Bisons
With stated attendance down 5 percent this season, some changes are probably in the works for the Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League), beyond a possible change in affiliation. The buzz in Minor League Baseball has the Bisons and Toronto Blue Jays discussing a new affiliation beginning next year, and there’s no doubt such a […]
Buffalo remembers Offermann Stadium
Offermann Stadium, the former home of the Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League), was honored Saturday when local residents put up a commemorative plaque marking the ballpark site. Built at a time when Buffalo wasn’t too far from being a major-league city, Offermann Stadium was a classic old ballpark, an intimate place serving as a […]
Wally Backman: Hall of Famer on the meltdown front
When it comes to video goodness, former major leaguer Wally Backman, manager of the Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League), is pure gold — and we’ve compiled some greatest hits. The fiery Backman is known for his passion on the field — both as a player and a manager — and that passion has certainly […]
The Week That Was: July 22
MiLB history, affiliation shifts, Ebbets Field plans and the return of the Albuquerque Dukes for one night. Here are the most popular stories of the past week on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. Pete Rose, hot girlfriend to hit reality TV this fall Webb makes MiLB history: first female league president Could Blue […]
Could Blue Jays provide shot in the arm for Bisons?
Attendance at Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League) games is down some 1,600 fans per game in two years. Could a new affiliation with the Toronto Blue Jays give the franchise some needed life? Buffalo, in the past, has been a great baseball town, with the team ending the 1990s with 9,000 or so season-ticket […]
Blue Jays looking east for new Triple-A farm team?
It’s the time of year when MLB teams are reevaluating their MiLB affiliates, and the Toronto Blue Jays will probably explore a deal with the Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League) — which could ultimately profit both teams. The Bisons are currently affiliated with the New York Mets, an arrangement wholeheartedly embraced by the Bisons […]
Where retro began: 25 years of Coca-Cola Field
It’s a great story: the ballpark that began the retro era — Coca-Cola Field, home of the Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League) is hosting the Triple-A All-Star Game in its 25th year. The game should be close to a sellout and can be seen nationally on the MiLB.tv website, but the big story here is […]
Former Winnipeg Whips/Goldeyes home will be new home to Target
Though details aren’t final, it looks like Canad Inns Stadium, the former home to International League and Northern League baseball in Winnipeg, will be torn down to make way for a Target store. Mayor Sam Katz — who, by the way, owns the Winnipeg Goldeyes (independent; American Association) and brought an independent Northern League team […]
Hanging on: Former home to baseball in Winnipeg
The former home of the Winnipeg Goldeyes (independent; American Association) and the Winnipeg Whips (Class AAA; International League) will remain open — for now. Canad Inns Stadium, better known as home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL), was slated to be torn down this fall after the Bombers moved to a new stadium on the […]