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IL1 Buffalo Bisons

Phantom, Sky Divers & 60º Guarantee Highlight Opening Day

March 28, 2003 - International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


On Thursday, April 3, 2003, the Buffalo Bisons will begin play in their 118th season of professional baseball in Buffalo. The Herd will open the season against the Pawtucket Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. With the opener, the Bisons will attempt to return to the playoffs for the 8th time in 9 seasons and will look for a return to the Governors' Cup Championship series.

"Opening Day is such a great occasion not only in Buffalo, but throughout the country," said Bisons Vice President/General Manager Mike Buczkowski.

"This year, more than ever, it not only marks the beginning of the baseball season, but also the end of a long, cold winter. We're excited about presenting a fun and exciting event for Bisons fans of all ages."

The Opening Day festivities will begin on the field at approximately 1:50 PM as Gift of Wings Sky Diving Team will enter Dunn Tire Park. A Bisons tradition, the Bisons Big Board will feature an exciting video, set to Bruce Springsteen's "The Rising", which will celebrate the start of the baseball season and the beginning of spring, 2003.

After the entire rosters of both the Bisons and the Red Sox are introduced to the field, Pat Shea will sing the Canadian National Anthem, and the Phantom of the Opera, Brad Little will sing the Star Spangled Banner. The introductions and anthems will be highlighted with fireworks salutes throughout. The color guard will be presented by the United States Air Force 914th Air Lift Wing from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base.

All fans in attendance on Opening Day will receive a 2003 Magnetic Schedule. The schedule, which is sponsored by Pepsi, features a great picture of a sold out Dunn Tire Park from last season's Fan Appreciation Night.

There will be two ceremonial pitches on Opening Day. The first pitch will be presented by Erie County Executive Joel Giambra. The second pitch will be thrown by baseball Hall of Famer, and former Buffalo Bison, Ferguson Jenkins. Jenkins pitched for the Herd in 1962 and went on to win 284 games in his 20 year Major League career. He was inducted into Cooperstown in 1991.

As part of the Opening Day festivities, the Bisons are asking fans to show their support for the United States Armed Forces by donating basic necessities, which will be sent to the forces in the Middle East. Interested fans are asked to donate phone cards, sunscreen, tooth brushes, toothpaste, handy wipes and disposable cameras. Fans should donate travel size items, which the troops can pack and use while executing their mission.

In an effort to wipe away the memory of one of the coldest winters in Buffalo's recent history, the Buffalo Bisons are guaranteeing an Opening Day temperature of 60 degrees. If the official high temperature at the National Weather Service does not reach 60 degrees on April 3rd, all fans in attendance will receive a ticket to a future Buffalo Bisons game. Some restrictions apply.

Tickets for Opening Day, and the entire 2003 season, are available now at the Dunn Tire Park box office, which is open weekdays from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM and on Saturdays from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Tickets are also available at all Tickets.com locations in Tops Friendly Markets and select Sports Obsession locations in Southern Ontario. Fans can charge by phone at 1-888-223-6000 or they can order on-line at Bisons.com.

Inside Bison Baseball - Saturday at 8:00 AM

On this week's Inside Bison Baseball Jim Rosenhaus is live from Spring Training in Winter Haven, FL. Bisons VP/GM MikeBuczkowski will take your calls about the 2003 season. Inside Bison Baseball is heard each week at 8:00 AM on WWKB-1520 AM.

Family Fun All Season Long

The Buffalo Bisons will begin their 118th season of professional baseball in Buffalo on Opening Day, Thursday, April 3, 2003. This season, the action isn't only on the field. Great giveaway promotions, national mascots, and exciting daily promotions will once again make Dunn Tire Park the most affordable family entertainment option in Western New York.

"It all starts on Opening Day, but the promotion schedule is full of fun events throughout the year," said Bisons Vice President/General Manager Mike Buczkowski. "Whether you're looking for bobble head dolls, fun contests or fan favorites like fireworks, we have a promotion to fit your liking. "

Fans will be greeted at the gates with a promotional giveaway item 15 times during the 2003 season, beginning with magnetic schedules on Opening Day, April 3rd. In 2003, a series of four bobble head dolls will be given away to fans. The first in the series will be a Jeff Manto bobble head on Saturday, June 7th, sponsored by Nextel. Tops and General Mills sponsor the Torey Lovullo bobble head giveaway on Sunday, June 22nd. On Sunday, July 20th, Tops and Kellogg's present the Bill Selby bobble head giveaway and on Sunday, August 17th a Tom Prince bobble head doll will be distributed to fans, courtesy of Tops and Wisk Sport. The players featured were voted on by fans at the official web site of the Buffalo Bisons, Bisons.com. There will be 4,000 bobble head dolls distributed at each giveaway.

This season fans will also receive a series of collectors magnets on Saturday May 3rd, Saturday, June 6th, Saturday, June 28th, and Saturday, August 2nd. Each of this series of magnets is one piece of a puzzle, which can be assembled throughout the season.

A poster commemorating the first 15 seasons of play in the downtown ballpark will be handed out on Saturday, May 17th and Tops/Kleenex Bisons logo baseballs will be given away on Sunday, August 24th. The traditional Bisons Peter Pan cap day will take place on Sunday, August 3rd. Baby Ruth will be the sponsor of two of the giveaways as a special Nolan Ryan poster will be distributed on Saturday, May 24th and a Baby Ruth baseball will be handed out on Sunday, May 25th.

Once again, Buster T. Bison and Chip will perform at every game at Dunn Tire Park during 2003. This year, they have extended an invitation to some of their closest friends in the mascot world. The Famous Chicken brings his fowl antics to Buffalo for the Bisons-Charlotte Knights contest at 7:35 PM on Friday, June 20th at 7:35 PM.

The ZOOperstarz! will make two appearances at Dunn Tire Park during 2003.

Their first appearance is on Saturday, June 28th at the Bisons-Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons 7:05 PM game. The big inflatable mascots return on Sunday, August 3rd for the 2:05 PM contest against the Pawtucket Red Sox.

Nationally known mascot Reggy will make a return appearance in Buffalo on Thursday, July 3rd as part of the KeyBank Independence Eve Fireworks Celebration with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Each day of the week will feature a fun filled promotion for fans at the ballpark this year. Mega Money Mondays return and will give fans the chance to win $10,000 at every Monday night game this year. Since its inception, the Bisons have given out over $30,000 in prizes at Mega Money Monday events. The first four Tuesday night games will feature the Deal is Right Game Show Night promotion. Fans will play game show type contests to win prizes on May 6th, May 20th, June 3rd and June 10th. At each of these games, fans will also enjoy great deals throughout the ballpark, like $1.00 Russer Hot Dogs, $ .25 chicken wings at Pettibones and the Batter's Box Gift Shop will have a special table with items for just $2.00.

The Remember "Whensday" promotion returns for Wednesday night games in 2003. This season, the Bisons Big Board will look back on baseballs great history, with a different theme each Wednesday night. Fans will be entertained by retrospective features on ballparks (May 7), catchers (June 4), sluggers (June 25), pitchers (July 2), fielders (July 30) and hitters (August 20).

Senior & Business Persons Days on Thursday will let fans enjoy some sun during the workweek and at the same time they can play baseball bingo and be kept up to date on the Bisons Big Board with market updates and business tips.

The fridaynightbash! series, sponsored by Wegmans and your local WNY Chevrolet dealers, will return with great pre-game tent parties and post game fireworks spectaculars. The first 500 fans will receive free leis and beads at each tent party. fridaynightbash!Ò t-shirts will be slingshot into the crowd throughout the game. Saturday nights will feature giveaways, special appearances from national mascots and on Saturday, August 16th, fans will be invited onto the field to get married as part of the wedding night promotion and fireworks display.

Sunday Kids Days will feature on-field contests for kids before each game, kids features during each game, and following each Sunday game, all kids can run the bases to cap off a great afternoon at the ballpark.

This traditional event features a rousing performance by conductor Paul Ferington and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. The performance, which takes place after the Bisons-Ottawa Lynx 6:05 PM game, features the BPO's finale set to the largest fireworks show of the summer. The event is punctuated by on field entertainment and promotions throughout the evening.

New Patio Deck will Highlight Ballpark Renovations A new picnic area and grassy hill will be built to give Dunn Tire Park a major face lift this spring. Construction will begin on the right field seating area after the Bisons first homestand and will be completed before July.

The new area will feature a new tiered picnic deck for parties. Fans will also be able to enjoy games from a grass hill area adjacent to the party deck.

This is one of the many capital projects that will take place over the next five years as part of the Bisons new lease agreement with Erie County. The projects will range from infrastructure improvements to new and exciting features for fans.

"The ballpark will get a face-lift this fall as we have committed to painting the facility throughout," said Jonathan Dandes, president of Rich Baseball Operations.

"We are currently in the process of evaluating a number of potential projects for Dunn Tire Park. Under consideration is new lights, new seats, a state of the art sound system, a new field and expanded facilities in the concourse and seating areas."

When you're at the game, be sure to pick up the new HerdBall game program featuring Bisons catcher Victor Martinez.

Check out the Buffalo Bisons Statistics



International League Stories from March 28, 2003


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