Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00
Sahlen Field 1 James D. Griffin Plaza Buffalo, NY 14203
Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 16,600
Have You Herd?
The Buffalo Bisons franchise can be traced back to 1878. A team named the Buffalo Bisons originally played from 1912 to 1970 in the International League before relocating to Winnipeg mid-season due to concerns with the ballpark and its neighborhood. This franchise would eventually settle in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and are the current RailRiders.
Buffalo Mayor James Griffin and a group of investors would buy a Double-A franchise and bring baseball back to Buffalo in 1979. Food processing magnate Robert Rich Jr. purchased the Bisons in 1983 and moved them to the Triple-A American Association. When the AA folded in 1997, the Bisons name returned to the International League, eventually settling on their current affiliation with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2013.
The Herd has been very popular in Buffalo during their latest tenure in part due to the opening of Pilot Field in 1988. The first “retro classic” ballpark was designed by HOK Sport and was built to be expandable for Major League Baseball. The stadium would inspire the design of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, a stadium that heavily influenced the ballpark design and aesthetics at the Major League level.
Naming rights for the stadium passed through several companies, eventually settling on Sahlen Field, a meat packing company based in town, in 2019. Major League Baseball would temporarily call Buffalo home with the Toronto Blue Jays taking residence beside Lake Erie for parts of two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Food & Beverage 4
Fans can find a good selection of concession items at Sahlen Field. Of course, the hot dogs, both regular and gourmet, are Sahlen’s products. Popcorn, nachos, burgers, and La Nova Pizza are also available, of course. Some options with local flair include the Perry’s Ice Cream stand, fried bologna, Charlie The Butcher, provider of Beef on Weck, and Authentic Pizza Logs.
The craft beer scene at Sahlen Field is impressive. The Craft Beer Corner and Buffalocal concessions have a huge selection of local brews. Labatt’s Blue is also very popular in Western New York and can be found at many stands. Coca-Cola products are the soft drink provider at Sahlen Field.
Atmosphere 4
Sahlen Field is the largest stadium in MiLB, even after a reduction in capacity. The exterior of Sahlen Field is attractive enough for a concrete structure with marble inlets to give it some style. Outside the third base side, there is a large square, which is perfect for meeting others before the game. The gates are large, green, iron structures which give Sahlen Field a nod for detail not found in ballparks of that era. Behind home plate, at the corner of Washington and Swan, a large bronze statue of Buffalo Mayor James D. Griffin can be found, throwing out the first pitch at Pilot Field.
Inside Sahlen Field, it is clear that this is a venue from the eighties. The concourses are not overly spacious and on the dark side. Sahlen Field does not offer a 360-degree route around the ballpark that other stadiums do. The seating bowl, which accommodates over 16,000 fans, combines a separated lower level, with an outdoor walkway and an upper level.
The original red (now faded to orange) seats are replaced with modern green plastic ballpark seats. The vast majority of games will attract enough fans that sitting in the original seats is not a requirement. Behind the left field corner is a large banner displaying the league championships titles the Bisons have earned, dating back to 1878. There are 14 in total, which include titles won by the original Bisons, and the 1998 and 2004 titles in the International League.
Division titles are also on display in Championship Corner including the most recent, in 2021. On the left field wall, the retired numbers of honored Bisons are on display, including Luke Easter, Ollie Carnegie, Jeff Manto, and Jackie Robinson. The videoboard is crystal clear, state-of-the-art, and among the largest in all of Minor League Baseball. There was formerly a small museum in Sahlen Field packed with Bisons artifacts, but unfortunately, it has been dismantled and is not available for fans to see. The Bisons would benefit from more history on display throughout the concourse.
The gameday production is what one would expect at a Minor League Baseball game. There are plenty of promotions during the game as well as music and mascots. Buster, Belle, and Chip are the Bisons’ mascots and can be found on the field and interacting with fans throughout the game. The mascot race has gained some notoriety in Buffalo, featuring Buffalo staple foods. Chicken Wing, Atomic Wing, Carrot, Blue Cheese, and Beef on Weck slug it out for each race. For several years, Celery participated in the race and recently retired with only one win to its name.
Theme nights are prevalent throughout the season and it is here that the Bisons are a cut above. The annual Star Wars Night is a sellout, and far superior to any other Star Wars Night in any other professional or amateur sports production. The Independence Eve game which features the largest fireworks display of the season and a post-game concert by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is also among the best and routinely sells out. There are plenty of other promotional theme nights throughout the season.
Neighbourhood 5
Buffalo is an underrated place to visit. Sahlen Field is located in Downtown Buffalo. There are a few spots within walking distance of the ballpark that fans can hit up for a pre or post-game bite or drink. Some of the best include Washington Square, Southern Tier Brewing Co., and Pearl Street Grill. Fans can also take public transit or drive further north to the northern end of Downtown for a few more options including the famous Dinosaur BBQ.
There are plenty of other sports options within walking distance of Sahlen Field. KeyBank Center is a few blocks south of the ballpark and is home to the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL and Buffalo Bandits of the NLL. Across the street from KeyBank is HarborCenter, home to the Canisius Golden Griffins hockey team. The basketball team plays not too far away at Koessler Athletic Center.
Other sporting options outside of Buffalo include the Buffalo Bills, who play at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, and the Buffalo Bulls, who field NCAA football and basketball teams at UB Stadium and Alumni Arena in Amherst, respectively. Other tourist experiences fans may want to check out in the area include Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino or the Waterfront district.
For fans who wish to stay near the ballpark, the Courtyard and Buffalo Marriott are good options within walking distance.
Fans 4
The Buffalo Bisons traditionally have a strong following. Being in a hybrid minor league city, having both major and minor league teams across different sports, the Bisons have a solid population to draw from. The Bisons traditionally are in the top 15 in all of Minor League Baseball and the top 10 in the International League. The Bisons average over 7,100 fans per game. Fans in attendance are knowledgeable and passionate about their team.
Access 4
Getting to Sahlen Field is pretty easy. Sahlen Field is located south of Swan Street at the intersection of Washington Street in Downtown Buffalo. It is located near major highways, north of I-190 and east of the Buffalo Skyway. Parking for a Bisons game is not a challenge. Surface lots around the ballpark are sufficient for most games. Pre-purchasing parking is always a good plan. The Metro Rail Seneca Station is just west of Sahlen Field. Some buses travel the area. Interested fans should check the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority website for maps, fares, and schedules.
The main ticketing gate is at the Swan Street. Getting around the ballpark is not normally a problem, however, for those large promotional nights that are sold out fans should expect long lines and difficulty getting through the concourses. Washroom facilities are more than sufficient on most nights.
Return on Investment 4
Buffalo Bisons tickets are usually $20 per game. General Admission tickets in the left-field corner are available for $17. Parking can be found for a reasonable price and concession prices are decent. The value of a Bisons game is excellent. Fans will get an authentic Minor League Baseball experience in a great location.
Extras 3
An extra mark for Buffalo icon Conehead. The beer vendor who wears a conehead hat has been a staple at Buffalo venues for decades. He can frequently be found at Sahlen Field. Fans be sure to watch for the Conehead Guarantee.
An extra mark for the I-90 rivalry the Bisons enjoy with the Rochester Red Wings and Syracuse Mets.
An extra mark for the MLB Dream finally coming true in Buffalo with the Toronto Blue Jays playing parts of the 2020 and 2021 season at Sahlen Field.
Final Thoughts
Fans know what to expect when heading to Buffalo to see the Bisons at Sahlen Field. The Bisons offer a solid venue for baseball and have been consistently one of the best draws in Minor League Baseball. The team has hit the mark on several promotions that draw massive crowds. Taking in a Bisons game is a must for all baseball fans.
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