Bisons Announce "What's New" at Dunn Tire Park in 2008
Published on March 26, 2008 under International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release
The Buffalo Bisons will open the 123rd season of professional baseball in Buffalo on Friday, April 11 against the Toledo Mud Hens (6:05 p.m.). With the home opener just 16 days away, the team announced a variety of new amenities and services that will take the Bisons baseball experience to a new level in this, the "Year of the Bisons Fan."
fridaynightbash!® Plaza Parties Bring Weekend Tradition to All Fans
One of the most popular events at Dunn Tire Park over the years have been the pre-game parties prior to the Bisons' signature fridaynightbash!® games. In 2008, the series has been moved to the 3,500 square foot plaza area in front of the Bisons ticket office on Swan St. All 10 pre-game Plaza Parties will be FREE to the public (no game ticket necessary) and feature great live music from talented local bands. The parties will also offer $3 Specials on hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian sausages and 16 oz. beers. Soft drinks and bottled water will be only $2. All Plaza Parties will begin two hours before first pitch except for the Home Opener on Friday, April 11 (4:30 p.m. start time, 6:05 p.m. first pitch).
All fridaynightbash!® games will also include a post-game Fireworks Show, presented by HSBC Bank, USA, N.A.
"Prize Patrol" to Roam Dunn Tire Park
The 2008 season is the "Year of the Bisons Fan" and now fans can go home from a Bisons games with much more than great memories. The team has formed a "Prize Patrol" that will roam the ballpark at all 72 home games handing out prizes and giveaways to random fans. Everything from tickets, gift certificates, food, merchandise and giveaways will be given out to lucky fans. Larger prizes will also be handed out, included a Nintendo Wii gaming system at Opening Day on Friday, April 11.
FastBall Cash Card Adds Speed to Ballpark Shopping
This season, the Bisons will debut a FastBall Cash Card that fans can use to purchase food, beverage and merchandise throughout Dunn Tire Park. The reloadable spending card will make the perfect gift as it can be used at all concession stands, Pettibones Grille Restaurant and the Batter's Box and New Era Gift Shops. The card can be reloaded at Bisons.com and will never diminish in value because of time. As an added benefit to using the card, for every $100, fans will receive a free $5 coupon for the ballpark.
Credit Cards, Access Control Enhance Convenience at Dunn Tire Park
Bisons' fans will experience a new level of convenience at Dunn Tire Park in 2008. The Bisons ticketing partner, Tickets.com, has upgraded the team's ticketing system Access control will now give fans the opportunity to print tickets at home and have them scanned at the gates. Plus, all Bisons concession stands now accept major credit cards: VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
Bisons.com Adds New Features to Give Baseball Fans a Home 24-7
The official website of the Buffalo Bisons, Bisons.com, will have several new features once the 2008 season begins. An "Inside the Herd" video feature will give fans an inside look at their favorite players and coaches during every roadtrip in 2008. A weekly Podcast will feature a collection of interviews from the team. Ben Wagner, the play-by-play announcer of the Bisons, will host Ben's Blog to keep fans up-to-date on everything that's going on in the International League.
Great New Food Options for Bisons Fans
"All You Can Eat" Pack is Perfect for Hungry Baseball Fans
A trip to a Bisons baseball game isn't complete without enjoying some great ballpark food. The "All You Can Eat" Pack gives fans a great opportunity to feast on booth baseball and food. For just $126, or only $21 a game, fans can purchase a six-game ticket package that includes all you can eat at a designated concession stand. Once inside the ballpark, fans will be allowed to select a meal item (hot dog, hamburger or Italian sausage), a snack item (potato chips, popcorn or a dessert item) and a Coca-Cola soda product each and every time they go to the stand.
The stand will remain open from one hour before first pitch until the end of the sixth inning, giving fans the opportunity to fill up on great food along with amazing baseball memories.
TICKET PACKAGE #1 TICKET PACKAGE #2
May 16 -fridaynightbash!® May 30 -fridaynightbash!®
June 14 -Hoodie Dog Giveaway June 15 -Father's Day/Logo Baseball Giveaway
June 29 -Dog Day at the Ballpark July 6 -Peter Pan Cap Night/Fireworks
July 22 -Italian Festival Night July 19 -Disco Night/Poster Giveaway
Aug. 16 -Famous Chicken Aug. 5 -Polish Festival Night
Aug. 28 -Last game of the Season Aug. 27 -Fan Appreciation Night
Moe's Southwest Grill, New Items Available at Concessions
The Bisons will welcome Moe's Southwest Grill to the ballpark in 2008. Located at section 101, Moe's will offer a variety of Mexican and Southwestern-style items for fans to enjoy. Edy's Soft Serve, in section 109, will bring such flavors as Butterfinger Blast, Mint Chip, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Fat Free Peaches & Cream Yogurt to Bisons fans. Items such as a Bisons "B"-Shaped Pretzel, Jalapeno and Cheese & Pepperoni-filled Breadstixs, Macaroni & Cheese Wedges and Fried Dough highlight some of the new items that have been added to the other concession stands in Dunn Tire Park.
Pettibones Grille Brings BBQ to the Ballpark
Pettibones Grille Restaurant has added a new "Ballpark BBQ" to their menu of fan-favorites. Patrons can now choose from a Lynchburg Surf & Turf that will feature a 6 oz. sirloin and three jumbo ship basted in a Jack Daniel's glaze, a char-grilled 8 oz. Sirloin Filet, a full or half rack of Ribs in a tangy BBQ sauce and a classic Pulled Pork Sandwich.
New Events, Team and Broadcast Partner
Slinky, Hoodie Dog QuickChange Bring New Excitement to Promotional Schedule
The Bisons 2008 promotional schedule includes some great new events and giveaways never scene at Dunn Tire Park. On Saturday, July 12, The Allstate Foundation will present the amazing Quick Change, the wardrobe-changing dance duo made famous on "America's Got Talent." The Bisons will give away an Authentic Slinky on Wednesday, July 23 and stuffed Hoodie Dogs on Sunday, June 29. This year's Home Run Derby on Saturday, August 2 will feature Bisons players teamed up with former Major League stars (players to be announced).
A full promotional schedule is now available on Bisons.com.
New Party Suite is a "Natural" Fit
The Bisons have added a fifth themed suite to the club level of Dunn Tire Park. Debuting in 2008 will be "The Natural" Suite, honoring the 25th anniversary of the baseball movie staring Robert Redford that was filmed at the former home of the Buffalo Bisons, War Memorial Stadium. Located on the first base side, the suite will feature a hand-made bar and pictures/posters honoring the film. The new suite joins the group of popular themed suites (Game Room, Clubhouse, Irish Pub and '50s Diner).
Stay Warm and Look Good with Bisons Apparel
The Batter's Box Gift Shop and New Era Gift Ship will feature several new items in 2008. The Bisons will now feature a New Era Flap Hat that comes attached with ear-warming flaps as well as a Nike Jacket to help fans get through those tough early-season games. A new T-Shirt Machine will allow fans to create and customize their own Bisons t-shirt in only two minutes. Several other Bisons shirts, t-shirt and hats will allow men, women and younger fans to show their support all season long.
New Divisional Rival in 2008
There is a new team in the International League North Division. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs will now serve as the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. The IronPigs will replace the Ottawa Lynx in the league. The Bisons first game against Lehigh Valley will be on Saturday, May 17 as the IronPigs visit Dunn Tire Park for the start of a four-game series.
Bisons Games to Air on WWKB 1520 AM
This off-season, the Bisons and Entercom Broadcasting of Buffalo reached a three-year agreement to have all 144 regular season games to air on WWKB "A New Voice" 1520 AM. The partnership will also include the broadcast of the annual Triple-A All Star Game (this year's game is on July 16 in Louisville, KY), all Bisons' post season games and the Triple-A Championship Game known as the "Bricktown Showdown."
Bisons Welcome New Associates
and Announce Promotions
The Bisons are pleased to announce the hiring of the following new associates to the organization: Julie Moses, Account Executive and Robert H. Kates, Merchandise Game Day Coordinator.
The team also announced that Brad A. Bisbing has been promoted to Director of Public Relations and Matt La Sota has been promoted to Director of Game Day Entertainment & Promotions.
Brad A. Bisbing - Director, Public Relations
Bisbing is entering his fifth season with the Bisons in 2008. Hired as a public relations assistant in 2004, he took over as Coordinator of Public Relations in June of that season. He will remain in charge of all team public and media relations, the production of all team publications and the official website of the team, Bisons.com. A native of Alden, NY, Bisbing graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ithaca College in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism and a Sports Studies Minor. He now resides in Buffalo, NY.
Matt La Sota - Director, Game Day Entertainment & Promotions
La Sota is entering his fourth season with the Bisons. After serving as an intern in the sales department in 2005, he was hired as the Coordinator of Game Day Entertainment & Promotions starting with the 2006 season. He will remain responsible for all the events, promotions and entertainment during all Buffalo Bisons home games. A native of Niagara Falls, NY, La Sota has two Bachelor of Arts degrees, Geography and Urban & Public Policy, from the University at Buffalo and a Masters of Sport Administration from Canisius College. He now resides in Buffalo, NY.
Julie Moses - Account Executive
As an account executive, Moses will be responsible for season ticket, package and group sales as well as contributing to the team's overall sponsorship initiatives. A native of Niagara Falls, NY, Moses earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management from Niagara University in 2007.
Robert H. Kates - Merchandise Game Day Coordinator
As the Merchandise Game Day Coordinator, Kates will be responsible for merchandise sales and promotion as well as the staffing and scheduling of both gift shops located in Dunn Tire Park. Kates is a native of Buffalo, NY.
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