Sports stats



Buffalo Bisons

Tim Russert, Spider-Man and More in Bisons 2005 Promo Schedule

February 23, 2005 - International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


The Buffalo Bisons will begin the home schedule of their 120th season of professional baseball on Opening Day, Thursday, April 7, 2005. This season, the Bisons have added several championship-caliber guests, events and giveaways to the defense of their Governors' Cup victory to ensure that Dunn Tire Park will once again be the most affordable family entertainment option in Western New York.

Throughout the 2005 season, the Bisons will also celebrate a "Decade of Hits," the successful 10-year affiliation with the Cleveland Indians. Since 1995, the Bisons have qualified for the playoffs eight times and won three league championships.

Overall, the Bisons have 12 Friday night games, 21 weekend games and 18 fireworks dates as part of their 72-game home schedule.

"Starting with Championship Weekend, our promotional schedule is filled with great events throughout the season," said Bisons Vice President/General Manager Mike Buczkowski. "With everything from bobble heads to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, fireworks and the ZOOperstars, we have a promotion that will fit all fans."

Championship Weekend

The Bisons begin the 2005 season with a six-game homestand that will encompass "Championship Weekend." Before the Home Opener on Thursday, April 7 against the Richmond Braves (4:05 p.m.), the Bisons will hold a ceremony to honor their Governors' Cup Championship in 2004. Friday, April 8 will be the first fridaynightbash!(r) of the season, sponsored by Wegmans and your local WHY Chevrolet Dealers, with post game fireworks presented by HSBC. On Saturday, April 9, the Bisons will give out 4,000 Championship pennants, presented by Supercuts. Finally, the Bisons will honor several "Local Champions" before their game on Sunday, April 10.

World Famous Zambelli Fireworks Internationale Joins fridaynightbash!(r) Series

The Bisons have added the world's premier fireworks company to their fridaynightbash!(r) series, presented by Wegmans and your local WNY Chevrolet Dealers. Starting on Friday, April 8, Zambelli Fireworks Internationale, famous for their performances at the Super Bowl, Presidential celebrations and New Year's Eve events, will put on their spectacular shows after all 12 fridaynightbash!(r), presented by HSBC. Of course, each game will be preceded by a tent party which will include music and food and drink specials. Back by popular demand, the Bisons will give out rally-racas in the tent parties in 2005.

South Buffalonian and NBC News Bureau Chief Tim Russert Comes to Dunn Tire Park

The Buffalo Bisons are proud to announce that the nationally-respected host of NBC's "Meet the Press," South Buffalo's own Tim Russert, will come to Dunn Tire Park on Sunday, June 5. Russert will throw out a first pitch and hold a book signing of his New York Times Best Seller, "Big Russ & Me." The first 4,000 fans in attendance will also receive a complimentary Tim Russert bobble head.

More Bobble Heads and Great Giveaways in 2005

The Tim Russert bobble head is just part of the Bisons "Championship Bobble Head Series". On Thursday, June 30, Bisons Manager Marty Brown will be featured on a "Manager of the Year" bobble head that will be given out to the first 4,000 fans in attendance. An Ernie Young "All-Star" bobble head, presented by Nextel, will go to 4,000 fans on Monday, August 1. Finally, the first 4,000 fans in attendance on Monday, August 29 will receive a Jhonny Peralta "MVP" bobble head, presented by EBGames.

Every Wednesday, the Bisons will giveaway 2,000 Baseball Card Strips to commemorate their 2004 championship team. Each strip will feature three Bisons from last season and be given out on April 20, May 4, May 18, June 1, June 22, July 27 and August 24.

On Opening Day, Thursday, April 7, the first 12,500 fans will receive a Magnetic Schedule. The Bisons will give out 4,000 Jhonny Peralta "MVP" Posters on Saturday, May 7. On Sunday, July 31, 4,000 fans will receive a Team Photo of the 2005 Bisons.

BPO, Ballpark Idol Bring the Sweet Sounds of Music to Dunn Tire Park

No Bisons season is complete without the annual Independence Eve Celebration with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the largest fireworks show of the year, presented by KeyBank. This year's event will take place on Sunday, July 3 as the Bisons take on the Ottawa Lynx at 6:05 p.m.

A new twist to music at the ballpark has been added in 2005 with the premier of Ballpark Idol, presented by Fox 29 and WKSE 98.5 FM. During home games on Saturdays from May 7-July 30, the Bisons will welcome the beautiful voices around Western New York for a competition to see who could be the next superstar. From preliminary rounds (yet to be announced) to the final showcase event, fans will be able to vote for their favorite performers throughout the competition. The winner will be awarded a fantastic prize which will include studio time, the production of their own demo and much more.

Spider-Man Climbs Into Mascot Mayhem 2005

Buster T. Bison and Chip will have a lot of friends help them out when they perform at Dunn Tire Park in 2005. On Sunday, April 23, Buster will host Buster's Birthday Bash with a tee ball game including several local mascots. Fans will be encouraged to bring a "birthday gift" (non-perishable food item for donation) to join a post game birthday party on the Dunn Tire Park field. National touring mascot Blooper will perform on Saturday, June 25. Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man will protect the ballpark on Sunday, June 10. And the ZOOperstars will bounce back into Buffalo for some inflatable fun on Saturday, July 30.

Campouts, Ballpark Brawl, Frisbee Dogs and More Complete Special Events Calendar

The Bisons will also feature several special events throughout the 2005 season. The Bisons Family Campout Series returns with two dates in 2005 (June 10, July 8). The Bisons will host a Mother's Appreciation Day on Sunday, May 8 and Wedding Day on Sunday, June 26. America's Best Frisbee Dogs will bring their high-flying action to the Bisons on Saturday, June 4. Dunn Tire Park will be rocking with the return of two Ballpark Brawl wrestling events, sponsored by Alfred State College: Friday, July 15 (non-game day) and Saturday, August 13 (post game). The Century 21 Home Run Derby will take place on Friday, June 24 with the annual Team Autograph Day on Sunday, July 31. Children's Entertainer Glenn Colton will perform on Sunday, August 14. The Bisons regular season concludes on Tuesday, August 30 with Fan Appreciation Night and post game fireworks.

Throwback Jerseys

Once a month during the 2005 season, the Buffalo Bisons will wear Throwback Jerseys. The uniforms will be modeled after the Herd's 1995 jersey, the first year of the team's affiliation with the Cleveland Indians. The uniforms will be worn on home games on April 9, May 21, June 10, July 3 and August 24.

Daily Promotions

Each day of the week will feature a fun-filled promotion for fans at the ballpark this year. This season, the Bisons will introduce Markdown Mondays, a day that will include deep discounts on tickets, food and drinks all game long.

Tuesdays will be split into two exciting themes in 2005. The season will start with Student Nights on Tuesday April 19, May 3, May 17 and May 24. On these nights, the Bisons will welcome marching bands and mascots from area high schools and colleges. There will also be pre game ceremonies to honor local student athletes and scholarship winners. On Tuesdays later in the season, the Bisons will hold their popular Ethnic Festival Nights. The celebrations begin on Tuesday, May 31 with American Night and will include Irish Night (June 21), Italian Night (July 26), Polish Night (August 2) and German Night (August 23). Each of the festivals will feature a pre game tent party with ethnic music and food specials. The final four festival nights in the series will also feature a post game pyrotechnics display from Zambelli Fireworks Internationale, presented by HSBC.

The Remember "Whensday" promotion returns for all Wednesday games in 2004. This season, the Bisons Big Board will look back at the great moments of the Bisons 10-year partnership with the Cleveland Indians with "Decade of Hits." During each game, ballots will be provided so fans can vote for an All-Bisons team during the affiliation; the winning team will be honored on the Bisons Big Board on August 24. The Remember "Whensday" celebrations will also include Bisons Managers (April 20), Bisons All-Stars (May 4), Great Home Victories (May 18), Great Bisons Sluggers (June 1), Championships (June 22) and former Bisons in the Major Leagues (July 27).

Senior & Business Persons Days on Thursdays, sponsored by WellPatch by Mentholatum, will let fans enjoy some sun during the workweek and at the same time play baseball bingo. With the customary 1:05 p.m. first pitch, these games give fans a chance to take a break from their hectic schedules. After the game, grandparents and grandchildren will be allowed on the field to stroll the base paths together.

Sunday Family Fun Days will feature on-field contests for kids before each game. Children will also be selected during the game to help the Bisons with tasks such as guest public address announcer, groundskeeper and vendor. After each Sunday, all kids can run the bases to cap off a great afternoon at the ballpark.

There are just 43 days remaining until the Bisons open up their 2005 season against the Richmond Braves on April 7, 2005 at 4:05 p.m. Season tickets and Ticket Packages are now available at www.Bisons.com or by calling THE-HERD (843-4373).

Check out the Buffalo Bisons Statistics

• Discuss this story on the International League message board...

International League Stories from February 23, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central