MLB Ball in Buffalo

[Billsman]

Being away from the Bisons action for a while I always wondered if there ever was a push to try and get a MLB franchise here in Buffalo. Have there ever been rumors?

[smashingt2312]

I'm not 100% on this, but during the early 90's didnt buffalo make a push to get a team? But instead, Florida and Colorado got teams.

[Billsman]

Did they have plans for a new stadium or what?

[ricogarion]

Dunn Tire Park is a baseball-only facility in Buffalo, New York. It is home to the Buffalo Bisons Triple-A baseball team.

The stadium opened on April 14, 1988 as Pilot Field, with a sell-out crowd of 19,500 on hand. While Oriole Park at Camden Yards often is cited as the vanguard for the trend in American cities towards "retro"-styled, baseball-only stadiums located in downtown cores, the architectural firm that designed Camden Yards, HOK Sport, actually cut its teeth on the design of Dunn Tire Park, which opened nearly four years prior to Camden Yards.

At the time of the stadium's construction, Buffalo was hoping to secure either an expansion major-league baseball team or a relocated team. The Montreal Expos and Pittsburgh Pirates were often mentioned as a leading contender in the latter category and Buffalo was one of the four finalists in the 1993 National League expansion derby, which brought the Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins to major-league baseball. When completed, however, the stadium seated fewer than 20,000 people. While this was a large number of seats for a minor-league facility, it was dwarfed by many major-league parks. Thus, the design made provisions for future expansion that would have allowed the seating capacity to grow to nearly 40,000 by adding an upper deck above the existing mezzanine should a major-league team decide to relocate to Buffalo.

[SabresAllTheWay]

I dont think I would want another professional sports team in Buffalo. Just another one to never win a championship.

[McD]

We got screwed on that deal! Bob Rich had the stadium, the minor league affiliations, the attendence and MLB still spit on us, AGAIN!

BTW...I was at that first game at Pilot Field. :D

[McD]

If the Bills play a few games in Toronto...we should get a few Jays games here as a concession.

[Billsman]

If the Bills play a few games in Toronto...we should get a few Jays games here as a concession.

I heard a rumor about that, seriously. I think it would be great though.

[sabredan17]

I would love to have an MLB team, but our market just can't support it at the moment. Besides, I've been so disgusted with the major leagues in recent years, and the domination by NY and Boston, I wouldn't want to join that league. Every year, you can guarantee 2 of the AL playoff spots will go to those teams, with the remaining teams fighting for the last 2 spots. Thats not much of a league to be involved with.

The atmosphere at Bison's games is fantastic. Theres no better way to relax on a summer afternoon or evening. Yeah, the games don't have much at stake, but thats what makes it so nice - as opposed to the NFL where every game is do or die. We get to see extremely high quality ball at about $7/game. And baseball is a sport where the talent of individual players is not as evident if everyone is on the same level. A Bison's game will offer just as much entertainment value as a game in the major leagues. And we have a team that has a shot at the championship every year. I wouldn't trade it for the MLB at this point.

[JMNY83]

I would love to get a team but too bad the pros in any sport don't look for whats best for the sport or the best sports towns they look for $$$$$$$$.

[ricogarion]

I would love to get a team but too bad the pros in any sport don't look for whats best for the sport or the best sports towns they look for $$$$$$$$.


Thanks JMNY, sad but true your comments.Because if what any major sports wanted was a rabid fan base and and ideal regional location,Buffalo would rank high.

[ricogarion]

Why shouldn't Buffalo dream of baseball,dreams are free and baseball is fun.See all these great fans have a team to cheer on would be a dream of a lifetime.No one does pro sports like Buffalo does.

[JMNY83]

Thanks JMNY, sad but true your comments.Because if what any major sports wanted was a rabid fan base and and ideal regional location,Buffalo would rank high.

This is the exact reason why LA keeps getting football teams. The fans there suck but they generate a lot of revenue especially through the tv market.

[M76]

i would cry of joy if we got a mlb team soooo sick.. wont happen for a while if ever though

[Snarf]

Last year the Bisons celebrated "20 Years Downtown". The Florida Marlins still don't have a stadium of their own and they are getting kicked out of Dolphin Stadium in 2010. They may be playing their games in a high school field, which would fit them fine seeing they are the worst draw in MLB. I don't know how much of a success Buffalo would have been for Major League Baseball, but they could not have done worse then Miami.

[smashingt2312]

I would love to have an mlb team here.

But i would still support my yankees. :bigsmile:

[Acoustic-Fury]

We got screwed on that deal! Bob Rich had the stadium, the minor league affiliations, the attendence and MLB still spit on us, AGAIN!

BTW...I was at that first game at Pilot Field. :D

I was at the second...it was a blizzard...no shit.

[Truther_Chuck]

The Bisons are great entertainment. I enjoy the strategy of the game and that is all there with the Bisons. I hear cleveland plans to move its AAA team to Columbus, that would leave the Bisons in a tight spot. Clevelands farm system is one of the best. Hopefully we could land either the yankees or blue jays AAA team. We have been spoiled with Cleveland. The other thing is the Bisons colors of red and green has got to go. Who picked those colors?

[McD]

I couldn't take my kids to a MLB game and have the fun we can have at a Bisons game for the $$.

[Billsman]

I've been to many MLB games in Phoenix watching the Diamondbacks.
Parking $15.00
Tickets $42.00
Hotdog $4.00
Beer $7.00
Bottle water $2.50

It's an expensive ticket.

[smashingt2312]

Yeah i just got two yanks-sox tickets in april at yankees stadium for $196, very pricey. Granted it is the yankees, but still.

[banditslaxnut]

Last season, I got a ticket 3 rows back of home plate ONE HOUR before first pitch at DTP. Try doing that at a Major League ballpark. I'll take Triple-A ball, thank you very much.

[ckg68]

The Bisons are great entertainment. I enjoy the strategy of the game and that is all there with the Bisons. I hear cleveland plans to move its AAA team to Columbus, that would leave the Bisons in a tight spot. Clevelands farm system is one of the best. Hopefully we could land either the yankees or blue jays AAA team. We have been spoiled with Cleveland. The other thing is the Bisons colors of red and green has got to go. Who picked those colors?

1. Yes,Cleveland is still talking to move their affiliation to Columbus. Nothing yet has come of it,but the signs don't look good. However,forget about the Yankees coming here. They're affiliated with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre,and that affiliation is solid for them. I'm not sold on Toronto coming here;their farm system,as I've said here before,is hit and miss-for every Alex Rios,there's at least 2 prospects that don't pan out.

2. Here's how I think the IL is going to look in 2009,with the teams that have deals expiring in the '08(to the best of our knowledge):

Toronto: From Syracuse to Indianapolis
NY Mets: From New Orleans(PCL) to Syracuse
Cleveland: From Buffalo to Columbus
Pittsburgh: From Indianapolis to Buffalo

Washington(which affiliates with Columbus at present)will likely go to New Orleans.

3. I work for the Bisons,and I can tell you that I had nothing to do with the color scheme.

[billsfan69]

1. Yes,Cleveland is still talking to move their affiliation to Columbus. Nothing yet has come of it,but the signs don't look good. However,forget about the Yankees coming here. They're affiliated with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre,and that affiliation is solid for them. I'm not sold on Toronto coming here;their farm system,as I've said here before,is hit and miss-for every Alex Rios,there's at least 2 prospects that don't pan out.

2. Here's how I think the IL is going to look in 2009,with the teams that have deals expiring in the '08(to the best of our knowledge):

Toronto: From Syracuse to Indianapolis
NY Mets: From New Orleans(PCL) to Syracuse
Cleveland: From Buffalo to Columbus
Pittsburgh: From Indianapolis to Buffalo

Washington(which affiliates with Columbus at present)will likely go to New Orleans.

3. I work for the Bisons,and I can tell you that I had nothing to do with the color scheme.

I have to agree with you here. With Pittsburgh's GM coming over from Cleveland, I see him making a push to get into Buffalo. Actually I wouldn't mind the move because we would get to see both styles of baseball. If Pittsburgh came here we would use NL rules in games with NL affiliates and the DH in games with AL affiliates. And don't be alarmed at how bad the Bisons were in Pittsburgh's last year here. They are starting to build up their system and their farm team In Indy has been pretty competitive every year they were there. All I know is Syracuse has sucked pretty much since the Bisons got into the IL and I want nothing to do with Toronto coming here.

[ckg68]

Me,I'm as big of a honk for the Jays as anyone-but I don't think I want 'em here,either.

BF: The reason I was alarmed is that Pittsburgh,back in the mid 90s,didn't have that much in their farm system and the free agents they gave us were crap.

[Snarf]

I really would be surprised if we end up with Pittsburgh. I don't know if the Bisons want to be affiliated with an NL team. I still think Toronto will end up here. But the losing ways the Jays have had in Syracuse would have to end. The Bisons don't stand for much losing, and they are still the best run minor league team in the country and have some pull. But I am still praying Cleveland to come to their senses and resign with Buffalo.

[Downinfloflo]

I dont think I would want another professional sports team in Buffalo. Just another one to never win a championship.

1)I'm a Mets fan.

2)I'm a Ranger's fan.

3)I'm a Bill's fan.

4)Did i mention i'm a Bill's fan.

Pain is my LIFE.....:slam:

[BuffaloRedleg]

Man I'd be an NBA nut if we had a basketball team, let alone an MLB team where I already am semi-interested. If its one of the big 4 and its in Buffalo, count me in on that sport big time.

[original6]

I would love for the Jays to be affiliated with a franchise closer to home. Syracuse is too far, and Indianapolis is way too far. When we fire JP, don't worry our clubs will be good!

[treydawg]

No way that happens, Buffalo is having a hard enough time with the Bills as it is. NFL and NHL is enough.

[The Philster]

I was a Tigers fan before the lockout of 94...never came back to MLB. However, during the lockout, there was talk of another baseball league to be placed in smaller cities than MLB is currently in....and Buffalo was favored to be a team

[Riley_Mason]

Being away from the Bisons action for a while I always wondered if there ever was a push to try and get a MLB franchise here in Buffalo. Have there ever been rumors?Bob Rich almost bought the Montreal Expos, but then he backed out when he figured he wouldn't be able to make it work in this economy with 2 other teams.

[Manana]

ckg... I just read the second half of this thread, and want to say I'm assuming your color reference is to the currently hideous color scheme of the Bisons! Since Cleveland is navy blue, red, white, etc. I can't for the life of mr figure out WHY we dumped the old, identical color scheme. Green (for god's sake) the most yucky color.
I wish the Bisons would make a huge push with the Mets, if the Mets are leaving New Orleans! For gosh sakes, as a Mets fan, I can't even SEE the Mets prospects in that league. That affiliation makes NO SENSE for the Mets! Get the prospectsa where they can be seen by their fan base!!!:arizona:

[ckg68]

Buffalo,as others(and me,as well)have said before,is unlikely to end up with the Mets. They're likely heading to Syracuse. (And,logistically,it makes sense,since the Mets' Double A team is in Binghamton-a callup to Triple A can have the player in the 'Cuse within 2 hours at most.)

[Manana]

Oh, I understand it's not LIKELY to happen... as a Mets fan, I'd just like to see the Bisons take a shot at the Mets to secure their farm team. I would like it best if they'd stay with Cleveland, since the Pirates are SOOO bad, that's my least preference. We've had competitive teams with the Indians here. Seems like we ought to be able to make a decent case to the Mets, and Binghampton is a 3 hour drive (originally from central NY). It's not as far as from here to Cleveland!

[Snarf]

The other thing is the Bisons colors of red and green has got to go. Who picked those colors?

Actually the colors are more red and black now. There is not much green in the uniforms anymore besides a little trim the the logo. The sunday jersey and hats don't have any green at all, just red and black.

I really don't mind the red, black, green and gold colors. I like the uniforms better with the sleeves that they changed to last year. I still think they should have keep the green hat to go to with the home uniform instead of going to the black hats. The think I don't like is the stupid sliding Buster logo. It is very cartoonish and Buster is way too happy sliding it. The Bisons should have the logo on their Sunday jersey as their primary logo. I think the buffalo standing in front of the baseball logo is awesome.

[billsfan69]

I would love for the Jays to be affiliated with a franchise closer to home. Syracuse is too far, and Indianapolis is way too far. When we fire JP, don't worry our clubs will be good!

Really he has been the Gm since the Mid-90's Toronto's Triple A teams have pretty much sucked for 20 some years.

[billsfan69]

Actually the colors are more red and black now. There is not much green in the uniforms anymore besides a little trim the the logo. The sunday jersey and hats don't have any green at all, just red and black.

I really don't mind the red, black, green and gold colors. I like the uniforms better with the sleeves that they changed to last year. I still think they should have keep the green hat to go to with the home uniform instead of going to the black hats. The think I don't like is the stupid sliding Buster logo. It is very cartoonish and Buster is way too happy sliding it. The Bisons should have the logo on their Sunday jersey as their primary logo. I think the buffalo standing in front of the baseball logo is awesome.

Fortunately they took the sliding buster logo off the home uniform. they now just have a baseball streaking around the B. Definitely a much better look.

[original6]

Really he has been the Gm since the Mid-90's Toronto's Triple A teams have pretty much sucked for 20 some years.

Yes I know, but our owners when then labatts was taken over by a belgium based brewing company sucked hard. Our new owner (I think you may know Ted Rogers by now) is setting things up nicely and the franchise is getting back to stability.

http://tinyurl.com/2xfnqt

Check out their commercials for example.. they are doing them right.