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The Jewel of Downtown Buffalo The House ThatJimmy Built | |
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.jpg) Sahlen Field in 2023 | |
 Interactive map of Sahlen Field | |
| Former names | Pilot Field (1988–1995) Downtown Ballpark (1995) North AmeriCare Park (1995–1999) Dunn Tire Park (1999–2008) Coca-Cola Field (2009–2018) |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 James D. Griffin Plaza Buffalo, New York US |
| Coordinates | 42°52′52.7″N78°52′27.4″W / 42.881306°N 78.874278°W /42.881306; -78.874278 |
| Elevation | 600 feet (180 m) |
| Public transit |  Buffalo–Exchange Street Reddy Bikeshare Seneca Washington & Seneca,Route 8 |
| Owner | City of Buffalo |
| Operator | Bison Baseball, Inc. |
| Executive suites | 26 |
| Capacity | 16,600 (2019–present) 16,907 (2017–2018) 17,600 (2015–2016) 18,025 (2005–2014) 21,050 (1990–2004) 19,500 (1988–1989) |
| Record attendance | Baseball: 21,050 (June 3, 1990 / August 30, 2002) Concert: 27,000 (June 12, 2015) |
| Field size | Left field: 325 ft (99 m) Left-center field: 371 ft (113 m) Center field: 404 ft (123 m) Right-center field: 367 ft (112 m) Right field: 325 ft (99 m) Backstop: 55 ft (17 m)  |
| Acreage | 13 acres (5.3 ha) |
| Surface | Kentucky Bluegrass |
| Scoreboard | DaktronicsLED |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | July 10, 1986 |
| Opened | April 14, 1988 |
| Renovated | 2004, 2020, 2021 |
| Expanded | 1990 |
| Construction cost | US$42.4 million ($113 million in 2024 dollars[1]) |
| Architect | HOK Sport |
| Project manager | Ben B. Barnert |
| Structural engineer | Geiger Associates |
| General contractor | Cowper Construction Management |
| Tenants | |
| Buffalo Bisons (AA/IL/AAAE) 1988–present Buffalo Nighthawks (LPBL) 1998 Buffalo Bulls (NCAA) 2000 Empire State Yankees (IL) 2012 Toronto Blue Jays (MLB)2020–2021 | |
| Website | |
| Sahlen Field | |
Sahlen Field is abaseball park inBuffalo, New York, United States. Originally known asPilot Field, the venue has since been namedDowntown Ballpark,North AmeriCare Park,Dunn Tire Park, andCoca-Cola Field. Home to theBuffalo Bisons of theInternational League, it opened on April 14, 1988, and can seat up to 16,600 people, making it the highest-capacityTriple-A ballpark in the United States. It replaced the Bisons' former home,War Memorial Stadium, where the team played from 1979 to 1987.
The stadium was the firstretro-classic ballpark built in the world, and was designed with plans forMajor League Baseball (MLB) expansion. Buffalo had not had an MLB team since theBuffalo Blues played for theFederal League in 1915. However, Bisons ownerRobert E. Rich Jr. was unsuccessful in his efforts to bring an MLB franchise to the stadium between 1988 and 1995. The stadium was a temporary home to theToronto Blue Jays of MLB in 2020 and 2021 when they were displaced by theCOVID-19 pandemic.
Sahlen Field was previously home to the Buffalo Nighthawks of theLadies Professional Baseball League in 1998, theBuffalo Bulls of theNational Collegiate Athletic Association in 2000, and theEmpire State Yankees of theInternational League in 2012. In addition to concerts and professional wrestling, the stadium has hosted major events including theNational Old-Timers Baseball Classic (1988–1990),Triple-A All-Star Game (1988, 2012),StarGaze (1992–1993),World University Games (1993) andNational Buffalo Wing Festival (2002–2019, 2025–present).
Buffalo began hostingprofessional baseball in 1877, when the Buffalo Bisons of theLeague Alliance began play atRiverside Park.[2] Over the next century, the city hosted major and minor league teams including theBuffalo Bisons (IA, 1878, 1887–1888),Buffalo Bisons (NL, 1879–1885),Buffalo Bisons (PL, 1890), and theBuffalo Blues (FL, 1914–1915).[2] The longest-tenured franchise was the minor leagueBuffalo Bisons, which was founded in 1886 and played exclusively in theInternational League starting in 1912.[2] This club played atOlympic Park until 1923, at which point that venue was demolished and replaced byOffermann Stadium.[3]
Buffalo was awarded an expansion franchise by theContinental League of Major League Baseball in January 1960, and made plans to play atWar Memorial Stadium beginning with the 1961 season. However, the league folded before the season began.[4] The Buffalo Bisons remained in the International League and began play at War Memorial Stadium in 1961, as Offermann Stadium had already been slated for demolition.[3]
In April 1968,Robert O. Swados and his investment group, which includedGeorge Steinbrenner, presented their bid for a Buffalo expansion franchise to the National League Expansion Committee.[5][6] This bid included plans for a $50 million domed stadium that was designed by the architects of theAstrodome and had a capacity of 45,000.[7] Buffalo was one of five finalists for the1969 Major League Baseball expansion, but franchises were awarded to theMontreal Expos andSan Diego Padres in May 1968.[5]
Erie County went on to modify the planned domed stadium to accommodate theBuffalo Bills, approving its construction as a 60,000-seatfootball venue inLancaster that could also host baseball.[8] However, bids for the stadium in 1970 came inover budget, and the project stalled. Bills ownerRalph Wilson threatened to move the Bills if action was not taken to replace the aging War Memorial Stadium, forcing Erie County to abandon the domed stadium in favor of building open-airRich Stadium inOrchard Park.[9][10] Major League Baseball had planned on relocating the strugglingWashington Senators franchise to Buffalo, but when the domed stadium wasn't built it instead became theTexas Rangers.[11] The Buffalo Bisons moved mid-season in 1970 and became theWinnipeg Whips, leaving Buffalo without professional baseball.[12]
MayorJames D. Griffin and an investment group purchased theJersey City A's of theDouble-A classEastern League for $55,000 in 1978, and the team began play as theBuffalo Bisons atWar Memorial Stadium in 1979.[13] This new franchise assumed the history of prior Buffalo Bisons teams that had played in the city from 1877 to 1970.Rich Products heirRobert E. Rich Jr. purchased the Bisons for $100,000 in 1983, and upgraded the team to theTriple-A classAmerican Association in 1985 after buying out theWichita Aeros for $1 million.[14][15] The Bisons began drawing record crowds with promotional tie-ins, most notably annual post-gameconcerts byThe Beach Boys.[16][17]
Strong political support grew to replace the aging War Memorial Stadium with what was originally known asDowntown Buffalo Sports Complex.[18] The City of Buffalo originally hired HOK Sport to design a $90 million domed stadium with a capacity of 40,000 on 13 acres of land, but the project was scaled back afterNew York State only approved $22.5 million in funding instead of the $40 million requested.[19][20][21] A separate athletic facility to service the City Campus ofErie Community College was part of the proposed complex, and was eventually built several years later as theBurt Flickinger Center.[22]
St. John'sEpiscopal Church originally occupied what would become the venue's land at the corner of Washington Street and Swan Street, and Randall's Boarding House originally occupied the adjacent lot on Swan Street.Mark Twain famously was a resident of theboarding house while editor of theBuffalo Express.[23][24] Constructed between 1846 and 1848, the church remained in use until 1893 and was demolished in 1906.[25][26]The land then became the site ofEllsworth Statler's first hotel,Hotel Statler, in 1907.[25] It was later renamed Hotel Buffalo after Statler built a new hotel onNiagara Square in 1923 and sold his former location. Hotel Buffalo was demolished in 1968, and the land became aparking lot. The City of Buffalo would later acquire the land througheminent domain.[27]
HOK Sport (now known asPopulous) designed the downtown venue as the firstretro-classic ballpark in the world.[28] The open-air venue was designed to incorporate architecture from the neighboringJoseph Ellicott Historic District, most notably theEllicott Square Building andOld Post Office.[29] The venue's exterior would be constructed fromprecast concrete, featuring archedwindow openings at themezzanine level,rusticated joints, and insetmarble panels.[30] Located close toBuffalo Memorial Auditorium and along the newly builtBuffalo Metro Rail, the venue would be an attractive and accessible destination for suburban residents.[31] The same design firm would later bring this concept to Major League Baseball withOriole Park at Camden Yards.[32]
Thebaseball field itself would feature aKentucky Bluegrass playing surface and have dimensions that were designed to mirror those ofpitcher-friendlyRoyals Stadium.[33] Buffalo Bisons management insisted the field have deep fences after War Memorial Stadium acquired a poor reputation for allowing easyhome runs.[34]Roger Bossard, headgroundskeeper ofComiskey Park, served as consultant for the project.[35]
The venue broke ground in July 1986, withstructural engineering handled by Geiger Associates, and Cowper Construction Management serving asgeneral contractor.[36][37] It was originally built with aseating capacity of 19,500, which at the time made it the third-largest stadium inMinor League Baseball.[28][38] This included aclub level with seating for 3,500 and 38luxury suites,general admissionbleacher seating for 1,130 inright field, and a 250-seat restaurant with city and field views on themezzanine level.[35][37][39]Rich Products already owned and operated local restaurants under their B.R. Guest brand, and they assumed operation of the venue's restaurant andconcessions.[40]
The $42.4 million venue was mainly paid for with public funding. $22.5 million came from New York State, $12.9 million came from the City ofBuffalo, $4.2 million came from Erie County, and $2.8 million came from the Buffalo Bisons.[41] The New York State funding was contingent on the Bisons signing a 20-year lease with the City of Buffalo for use of the venue, which they did just prior togroundbreaking.[42] The City of Buffalo and Erie County paid an additional $14 million for the construction ofparking garages to service the venue and other downtown businesses.[41]
A planned second phase of construction was a seating expansion contingent on Buffalo acquiring aMajor League Baseball franchise. The original design by HOK Sport called for a third deck to be added in place of the roof, expanding the venue's capacity from 19,500 to 40,000. In May 1987, it was estimated this expansion could be completed within one offseason at a cost of $15 million.[19]
Opening Day of the venue's inaugural season took place on April 14, 1988, and saw theBuffalo Bisons defeat theDenver Zephyrs 1–0.[43]Bob Patterson of the Bisons threw the first pitch againstBilly Bates, and the lone score came from aTom Princehome run.[44]Pam Postema, the first femaleumpire in the history of professional baseball, officiated the game.[45] Prior to the event,The Oak Ridge Boys performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" and both MayorJames D. Griffin and GovernorMario Cuomo threwceremonial first pitches.[45][46]
The formal dedication of the venue took place on May 21, 1988, prior to the Buffalo Bisons defeating theSyracuse Chiefs in an interleagueTriple-A Alliance game by a score of 6–5.Larry King threw theceremonial first pitch and sat in on commentary withWBEN broadcastersPete Weber andJohn Murphy.[47]
In their first year at the venue after moving from War Memorial Stadium, the Buffalo Bisons broke the all-time record forMinor League Baseball attendance by drawing 1,186,651 fans during the 1988 season.[48] The team had cappedseason ticket sales at 9,000 seats to ensure that individual game tickets would be available.[49]
The inaugural Build New York Award was given to Cowper Construction Management by the General Building Contractors of New York State for their work on the venue.[50]
The venue was lauded by mainstream media outlets, including feature stories byNewsday,New York Daily News,San Francisco Examiner,Sports Illustrated,The New York Times Magazine andVancouver Sun.[51] Eric Brazil wrote in hisSan Francisco Examiner column that the venue, "just may be baseball's prototype for the 1990s and beyond".[52]
Pete McMartin wrote fondly of the venue in his June 1989 article for theVancouver Sun, contrasting it with the recently openedSkyDome in Toronto:
It was a matter of philosophy. Toronto built an edifice: Buffalo embraced an idea. Toronto elevated technology over the game: Buffalo honored the past. Buffalo ended up with the better ballpark. It may be the best ballpark built since the construction of the game's holy triumvirate –Wrigley,Fenway andBriggs.[53]
In anticipation of Buffalo being awarded a major league franchise,Robert E. Rich Jr. began establishing minor leaguefarm teams for theBuffalo Bisons organization. Rich Jr. acquired theDouble-AWichita Pilots and founded theClass A Short SeasonNiagara Falls Rapids.[54][55] He renamed Wichita's team to the Wranglers and planned to upgrade their franchise to Triple-A upon the Bisons joiningMajor League Baseball.[56]
The proposed seating expansion to accommodate Major League Baseball was revised byHOK Sport to preserve the aesthetic of the roof, which would now be kept and raised to cover a third deck. In this new design, less seating would be built on the third deck, and instead a newright field seating structure would be built in front of the Exchange Streetparking ramp.[57] In addition, expandedbleachers would be added in right field that could later be converted to permanent seating. Capacity after this expansion would increase from 19,500 to 41,530 at a cost of $30 million, but unlike the earlier design would take longer than a single offseason to complete.[58] Prior to the 1990 season, 1,400bleacher seats and astanding-room only area within the third-base mezzanine were added at a cost of $1.34 million, increasing the stadium's capacity from 19,500 to 21,050.[59][60]
In September 1990,Bob Rich Jr. attempted to buy theMontreal Expos for $100 million and move the team to Buffalo, but ownerCharles Bronfman declined his offer.[61] That same month, Rich Jr. and his investment group presented their bid for a Buffalo expansion franchise to theNational League Expansion Committee.[62] Members of this investment group includedJeremy Jacobs,Larry King,Northrup R. Knox,Robert G. Wilmers,Robert O. Swados andSeymour H. Knox III.[63] It was reported that the investment group was prepared to fund $134 million in private capital required for expansion, which included the $95 millionfranchise fee and initial operating costs.[64] The largest share of the financial burden would fall on Rich Jr., who pledged a minimum of $10 million cash and the equity in his three minor league teams. Rich Jr. publicly voiced concerns in December 1990 that without asalary cap andrevenue sharing, he would have to raise ticket prices to unaffordable levels while being unable to produce a competitive on-field product.[65] 27,000 major leagueseason ticket commitments were made by April 1991, consisting of 18,000 paid seat deposits and 9,000 complimentary deposits awarded to the existing Bisons season ticket holders.[66] Buffalo was one of six finalists for the1993 Major League Baseball expansion, but franchises were awarded to theColorado Rockies andFlorida Marlins in June 1991.[67] National League presidentBill White later confirmed that Rich Jr. publicly questioning the league's financial structure sunk his bid.[68]
In their fourth year at the stadium, the Buffalo Bisons once again broke the all-time record for Minor League Baseball attendance by drawing 1,240,951 fans during the 1991 season.[69]
| All-Time Minor League Baseball Attendance Records[70] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Team | Year | Attendance |
| 1. | Buffalo Bisons | 1991 | 1,240,951 |
| 2. | Buffalo Bisons | 1988 | 1,186,651 |
| 3. | Buffalo Bisons | 1990 | 1,174,358 |
| 4. | Buffalo Bisons | 1992 | 1,134,488 |
| 5. | Buffalo Bisons | 1989 | 1,132,183 |
| 6. | Buffalo Bisons | 1993 | 1,079,620 |
| 7. | Louisville Redbirds | 1983 | 1,052,438 |
| 8. | Buffalo Bisons | 1994 | 982,493 |
| 9. | Buffalo Bisons | 1995 | 951,080 |
| 10. | Sacramento River Cats | 2001 | 901,214 |
Rich Jr. offered to let theMontreal Expos finish their home schedule at the venue in September 1991 afterOlympic Stadium was damaged, but the team instead played their final 13 home games on the road.[71][72]
In June 1992, Rich Jr. attempted to buy theSan Francisco Giants and move the team to Buffalo, but ownerBob Lurie declined his offer. The proposed name for the team would have been the New York Giants of Buffalo, as the franchise had previously played as theNew York Giants from 1885 to 1957 in New York City.[61] That same month, the City of Buffalo chose to exercise anescape clause and buy back $24.2 million in federal bonds they had earmarked for expanding the venue to accommodate Major League Baseball.[73][74]
The 1988 to 1993 Buffalo Bisons seasons were the six highest-attended campaigns inMinor League Baseball history, with each season drawing over 1,000,000 fans.[70]
Prior to the 1994 season, a restaurant called Power Alley Pub was constructed under the bleachers in right-center field.[75] The restaurant provided seating with views of the field through the outfield wall.
Rich Jr. moved hisClass A Short SeasonNiagara Falls Rapids after he was unable to secure repairs for the agingSal Maglie Stadium. The team resumed play as theJamestown Jammers in June 1994.[76]
In July 1994, Rich Jr. notified the Major League Baseball Expansion Committee that he was interested in pursuing a Buffalo expansion franchise.[77] However, he would retract this notification the following month after the1994–95 Major League Baseball strike commenced.[78] Buffalo was withdrawn as a candidate for the1998 Major League Baseball expansion, and franchises were awarded to theArizona Diamondbacks andTampa Bay Devil Rays in March 1995.[79]
Rich Jr. was offered an expansion franchise by theUnited Baseball League of Major League Baseball in November 1994 at a cost of $5 million, which would have played at the venue beginning with the 1996 season.[80] However, franchises were awarded in February 1995 toLong Island, Los Angeles,New Orleans,San Juan, Vancouver andWashington before the league folded without ever playing a game.[81][82]
The Buffalo Bisons considered sharing the venue with theToronto Blue Jays for their1995 season, as theOntario Labour Relations Board prohibited non-unionreplacement players from competing atSkyDome during the1994–95 Major League Baseball strike.[83] The Blue Jays instead chose to play at theirspring training home ofDunedin Stadium, but the strike ended in April 1995 and the team returned to SkyDome.[84][85]
A new outfield fence was erected prior to the 1996 season at a cost of $50,000 so that the venue's playing surface mirrored the dimensions ofJacobs Field. Left-center field was reduced from 384 feet to 371 feet, center field was reduced from 410 feet to 404 feet, right-center field was reduced from 384 feet to 367 feet, and the height of the center field fence was reduced from 15 feet to 8 feet. This change allowed theCleveland Indians, Buffalo's major league affiliate, to better evaluate theirprospects, while also making the park morehitter-friendly.[86]
The venue was home to the Buffalo Nighthawks of theLadies Professional Baseball League before the league shut down mid-season in July 1998. The Nighthawks were in first place with an 11–5 record when the league folded, and were declared Eastern Division champions.[87]
The park's original four-colordot matrixscoreboard in center field was retrofitted with a 38-foot wide by 19-foot tallDaktronicsLED video screen in 1999 at a cost of $1.2 million.[88]
The venue was home to theBuffalo Bulls of theNational Collegiate Athletic Association in 2000.[89] The Bulls finished the season with a 12–35 record and moved toAmherst Audubon Field the following year.[90][91]
Major League Lacrosse staged an exhibition at the venue on August 11, 2000, as part of their Summer Showcase Tour.[92]Robert E. Rich Jr. planned to purchase a Major League Lacrosse franchise at a cost of $1 million to begin play at the venue in June 2001.[93][94] However, he withdrew support after determining that removing and replacing thepitcher's mound for lacrosse games would damage the field and put the Buffalo Bisons at a disadvantage.[95]
The 20-year lease between the Buffalo Bisons and City of Buffalo for use of the venue was renegotiated in January 2003, with the addition of funding from Erie County.[96]
Prior to the 2004 season, $5 million in renovations to the venue were completed, including removal of the stadium's right fieldbleachers and construction of a four-tier Party Deck in its place.[97] The removal of the bleachers decreased the stadium capacity from 21,050 to 18,025.[98]
A 4-foot wide by 8-foot talldigital billboard was installed on the corner of Washington Street and Swan Street before the 2007 season at a cost of $70,000.[99]
The 20-year lease between the Buffalo Bisons and City of Buffalo for use of the venue expired following the 2008 season, and the city began offering year-to-year leases to the team thereafter.[100]
The venue'sluxury suites were consolidated and renovated beginning in 2010, reducing the total number from 38 to 26.[101] Aconference suite was constructed on the first-base side of the stadium at a cost of $250,000, and the year-round suite can accommodate business gatherings of up to 40 people.[102]
Prior to the 2011 season, the park's original scoreboard in center field was removed and replaced by an 80-foot wide by 33-foot tall Daktronics high-definition LED video screen at a cost $2.5 million.[103] That same year, a new $970,000 field drainage system and a new $750,000 field lighting system were added to the venue.[104][105]
The venue was one of six that played home to theEmpire State Yankees of the International League in 2012. The team was forced to play at alternate sites that season asPNC Field was undergoing renovations.[106] The Yankees finished the season with an 84–60 record and advanced to the International League playoffs.[107]
$500,000 was spent in improvements to the venue before the 2014 season, including a new sound system and the installation of new LED message boards down both baselines.[108]
A campaign to replace the park's original red seating with wider green seating began in 2014. The stadium's capacity was reduced from 18,025 to 17,600 when 3,700 seats were replaced prior to the 2015 season at a cost of $758,000.[109][110] 2,900 seats were replaced prior to the 2017 season, reducing capacity of the venue from 17,600 to 16,907.[111] 2,000 seats were replaced prior to the 2019 season, reducing capacity of the venue from 16,907 to 16,600.[112][113]
Following the 2019 season, protective crowd netting was installed throughout the venue at a cost of $475,000 to meet Major League Baseball safety standards.[114]
In June 2020, the Buffalo Bisons canceled their season at the venue due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[115] TheToronto Blue Jays, the Bisons' major league affiliate, announced the following month that they would play their2020 season at the venue after the government of Canada denied them permission to play atRogers Centre.[116][117] The venue's first Major League Baseball game took place on August 11, 2020, in which theToronto Blue Jays defeated theMiami Marlins 5–4 inextra innings.[118] The Blue Jays finished the season with a 32–28 record, and advanced to theAmerican League Wild Card Series.[119]
Major League Baseball and the Blue Jays organization jointly funded renovations of the venue prior to the 2020 season at a cost of $5 million.[120] Permanent upgrades included installation ofLED field lighting, installation ofinstant replay technology, installation ofHawk-Eye forStatcast tracking, a resurfacedinfield, and relocation of the homedugout to the third-base side of the stadium. Temporary facilities designed for the postponedMLB at Field of Dreams game were also utilized.[121][122]
The Blue Jays used the venue for part of their2021 season due to the ongoing pandemic, after having started the season atTD Ballpark. The Bisons accommodated this residency by temporarily relocating toTrenton Thunder Ballpark inTrenton, New Jersey.[123] The venue drew higher attendance for MLB home games than theMiami Marlins,Oakland A's andTampa Bay Rays drew at their own home venues.[124] The Blue Jays played 49 Major League Baseball games at the venue over the course of two seasons, tyingHiram Bithorn Stadium for the all-time record of most regular season games hosted by a non-home ballpark.[125]
The Bisons and Blue Jays jointly funded additional renovations of the venue prior to the 2021 season. These permanent upgrades included the installation of new light standards, newbatting cages, newfoul poles, a resurfacedoutfield, and the relocation of bothbullpens from foul territory to right-center field.[126] The renovated venue was named Professional Baseball Field of the Year in November 2021 by Sports Turf Managers Association.[127] The renovations were also nominated for Project of the Year at the 2021 Stadium Business Awards.[128]
In September 2023, the venue sustained $600,000 in damage after a fire started in a mobileconcession stand.[129][130]
The Buffalo Bisons hired alobbying firm in November 2023 to seek funding from New York State for renovations that would improve the fan experience.[131]
In March 2025, the Bisons announced that the venue would undergo an overhaul of the sound system, with the first phase of the project to be completed prior to the start of the 2025 season.[132]
Pilot Air Freight ofPhiladelphia purchased the 20-year naming rights to the venue in 1986.[133] The stadium would be named Pilot Field in exchange for the company paying the City of Buffalo $51,000 on an annual basis.[134] Their name was stripped from the venue by the City of Buffalo in March 1995 after Pilot Air Freight defaulted on payments.
The stadium was then known as Downtown Ballpark until July 1995, when localHMONorth AmeriCare purchased the naming rights and the stadium became North AmeriCare Park (colloquially known as The NAP).[134][135] North AmeriCare agreed to pay the City of Buffalo $3.3 million over the course of 13 years.[136] The Dunn Tire chain of tire outlets assumed North AmeriCare's remaining contract with the City of Buffalo in May 1999, and the venue became Dunn Tire Park.[136]
Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Buffalo purchased the 10-year naming rights to the stadium in December 2008, and it was renamed Coca-Cola Field beginning with the 2009 season.[137]Sahlen's purchased the 10-year naming rights to the stadium in October 2018, and it was renamed Sahlen Field beginning with the 2019 season.[138]
The annualNational Old-Timers Baseball Classic was held at the venue from 1988 to 1990.[139][140][141]
The venue was host to the inauguralTriple-A All-Star Game on July 13, 1988.[142] It would later host the 25th-annual Triple-A All-Star Game on July 11, 2012.[143]
The June 3, 1990 game between theBuffalo Bisons andOklahoma City 89ers, with a post-game concert byThe Beach Boys, set the all-time single-game attendance record for baseball at the venue with 21,050 fans.[144] An August 30, 2002, game between the Buffalo Bisons andRochester Red Wings would later match that record.[145]
The venue hosted an exhibition betweenTeam USA andKorea on July 9, 1992, that saw Korea win the game 4–2.[146] The exhibition was part of Team USA's 30-game tour of bothCuba and the United States to promote their appearance in the1992 Summer Olympics.[147]
Bartolo Colón of theBuffalo Bisons threw the venue's first and onlyno-hitter on June 20, 1997, against theNew Orleans Zephyrs, sealing a 4–0 win.[148]
The Buffalo Bisons defeated theRichmond Braves at the venue on September 17, 2004 in Game 4 of their championship series to win theGovernors' Cup by a score of 6–1.[149]
The baseball events of theWorld University Games were held at the venue in July 1993.[150] The Gold medal game took place on July 16, 1993, and sawCuba defeatSouth Korea 7–1.[151]
The venue hosted the inauguralBig Four Baseball Classic tournament from April 27, 2004, to April 28, 2004.[152] In the championship game, theNiagara Purple Eagles defeated theSt. Bonaventure Bonnies 8–7 inextra innings to win the Bisons Cup.[153] The venue later hosted the second-annualBig Four Baseball Classic tournament from April 26, 2005, to April 27, 2005.[154] In the championship game, theSt. Bonaventure Bonnies defeated theCanisius Golden Griffins 12–3.[155]
Jim Kelly held his inauguralJim Kelly Shootout and Carnival of Stars charity event at the venue on June 7, 1992. The event drew a crowd of 14,500 and raised $150,000 for the Kelly for Kids Foundation.[156] The second-annual Jim Kelly charity event, now renamedStarGaze, was held at the venue on June 13, 1993. The event drew a crowd of 10,000 and raised $100,000 for the Kelly for Kids Foundation.[157]
Micah Hyde held his inaugural Micah Hyde Charity Softball Game at the venue on June 2, 2019. The event drew a crowd of 2,500 and raised $40,000 for the Imagine for Youth Foundation.[158][159] The second-annual Micah Hyde Charity Softball Game on May 15, 2022, drew a crowd of 10,000 and raised $200,000 for the Imagine for Youth Foundation, with a portion of proceeds donated to families impacted by the2022 Buffalo shooting.[160] The third-annual Micah Hyde Charity Softball Game on May 7, 2023 drew a crowd of 16,000 and raised $470,000 for the Imagine for Youth Foundation.[161] The fourth-annual Micah Hyde Charity Softball Game on May 19, 2024 drew a crowd of 14,771 and raised $625,000 for the Imagine for Youth Foundation.[162]
TheBuffalo Bisons have presented a yearly post-game Summer Concert Series at the venue since 1988, featuring performances from national touring acts and theBuffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
The venue has regularly hosted local music festivals.WEDG presented their annual Edgefest at the venue in 1997 and 2003.[163][164]WYRK has presented their annual Taste of Country at the venue since its inception in 2001. The June 12, 2015, Taste of Country event headlined byDierks Bentley set the all-time attendance record for concerts at the venue with 27,000 fans.[165]WKSE presented their annual Kiss the Summer Hello at the venue from 2001 to 2002, and again from 2009 to 2013.[166][167][168][169][170][171][172] The Great Guitar Gig took place at the venue on June 15, 2003, as part of the second-annual Buffalo Niagara Guitar Festival.[164]
The venue has also hosted national music festivals.Budweiser Superfest took place at the venue on July 7, 1989.[173] Bluestime Jam took place at the venue on August 29, 1995.[174]Counting Crows headlined a show at the venue on August 1, 2007, as part of their Rock 'n' Roll Triple Play Ballpark Tour.[175][176]
Goo Goo Dolls filmed the music video for their debut single"There You Are" at the venue in 1990.[177]
Alow-budget film calledAngel Blues was shot at the venue in August 1993. It was directed byWilliam Zabka and starred Michael Paloma,Loryn Locklin,Meredith Salenger,Richard Moll,David Johansen andMichael Horse.[178][179][180]
Ballpark Brawl was a series of post-gameprofessional wrestling events produced by theBuffalo Bisons and promoted by Christopher Hill, their Director of Sales and Marketing between 2003 and 2007.[181] The promotion's Natural Heavyweight Championship paid homage toThe Natural, which was filmed in Buffalo atWar Memorial Stadium.
TNA Wrestling held BaseBrawl at the venue on June 18, 2011, an event headlined byKurt Angle defeatingScott Steiner, with an appearance byHulk Hogan.[182] A second BaseBrawl event on June 22, 2012 was headlined byBobby Roode defeatingJeff Hardy to retain theTNA World Heavyweight Championship.[183]
ReverendBilly Graham staged his Greater Buffalo-NiagaraCrusade at the venue from August 1, 1988, to August 7, 1988.[184][185]
Opening Ceremonies for theEmpire State Games took place at the venue on July 24, 1996. Buffalo nativeTodd Marchant was the event's keynote speaker.[186]
The venue was host to the annualDrum Corps International Tour of Champions, promoted locally as Drums Along the Waterfront, from its inception in 1997 to 2006.[187]
The venue began hosting the annualNational Buffalo Wing Festival in 2002, featuring theU.S. National Buffalo Wing Eating Championship.[188] After moving toHighmark Stadium following the 2019 event, it returned to Sahlen Field in 2025.[189]
The inauguralHarvard Cup Hall of Fame Game took place at the venue on September 28, 2002. TheKensington Knights defeated theBennett Tigers 26–0 in the venue's first-everfootball game.[190] The second-annualHarvard Cup Hall of Fame Game took place at the venue as adoubleheader on September 20, 2003. TheLafayette Violets defeated theGrover Cleveland Presidents 28–6, and theHutch-Tech Engineers defeated theMcKinley Macks 14–0.[191]
The venue's play is greatly affected by its orientation and susceptibility to the winds of nearbyLake Erie. Center field faces south-southeast, with a year-round 8 to 10 MPH breeze moving from the right fieldfoul pole towards the left field foul pole.[192] Right-handed batters therefore tend to have the most success hitting balls into left field and left-center, although left-handed batters hittingopposite field at a high trajectory also see their balls carried out of the park.[192][193] The cozy field dimensions of 325 feet to left field and 371 feet to left-center aid the number ofhome runs hit in those directions.[194] A 60-foot tallchain-link fence in left field protectsmotor vehicles on Oak Street from being struck.[195] Cold winds in early months of the baseball season tend to prevent balls from exiting the park, while the warmer summer winds allow for greater carry.[196] In 2019,Baseball America ranked it as the third-bestInternational League ballpark to hit home runs in.[196] The venue allowed 10% more runs than average during the2020 Toronto Blue Jays season.[197]
Pub at the Park is a 250-seat bar and restaurant located within the venue's first-basemezzanine that features both indoor seating and outdoorpatio seating with views of the field. It is open to the public for special events via an entrance on Washington Street, and exclusively to ticketholders with reservations on game days.[199] The restaurant was formerly known as Pettibone's Grille from 1988 to 2016.[200]
Concessions around the venue's concourse highlight local cuisine, with selections includingbeef on weck from Charlie the Butcher,craft beer from Consumer's Beverages and Resurgence Brewing Company, craft beer and wine fromSouthern Tier Brewing Company,hot dogs fromSahlen's,pierogies from Alexandra Foods,pizza fromLa Nova Pizzeria, pizza logs from Original Pizza Logs, andsoft serve from Upstate Farms.[201]Coca-Cola brand soft drinks are also available throughout the stadium.[201]
The venue is cashless for concessions, with support forcontactless payment andonline food ordering withmobile payment.[202][203][204]
The Buffalo Bisons have customarily marked the landing spot of every home run their players have hit into the right field parking lot since the venue's inaugural season in 1988.[205] This feat is rarely accomplished because the balls have had to clear either the right field bleachers or the Party Deck that replaced them in order to reach the parking lot.Russell Branyan holds the record for most parking lot home runs, with three.[196]
Robert E. Rich Sr., the founder ofRich Products and father of Buffalo Bisons owner Robert E. Rich Jr., died in February 2006. His initials are inscribed on thepress box, above the owner's suite, in tribute.[206] The venue hosted the annual Robert E. Rich Memorial Baseball Classic tournament between local high school teams from 2006 to 2008.[207][208][209]
Former Mayor of BuffaloJames D. Griffin was posthumously honored by theBuffalo Common Council in July 2008 after they voted to change the venue's address to One James D. Griffin Plaza.[210]
Abronze sculpture of James D. Griffin titledThe First Pitch, referencing hisceremonial first pitch at the venue's inaugural game, was unveiled outside the stadium in August 2012. The William Koch piece was commissioned by theBuffalo Bisons to honor Griffin's contributions in constructing the ballpark and bringing professional baseball back to Buffalo.[211]
Plaques honoring all members of theBuffalo Baseball Hall of Fame were previously displayed within the Hall of Fame and Heritage Room, which was built on the venue's third-base concourse in 2013.[212] It was removed in 2021 as part of stadium renovations, and has yet to reopen.[213]
The Buffalo Bisons hang a Championship Corner banner in left field that commemorates the team's many league and division championships, along with theretired numbers ofOllie Carnegie (6),Luke Easter (25),Jeff Manto (30) andJackie Robinson (42).[214]
Retired numbers of former Toronto Blue Jays playersRoberto Alomar (12) andRoy Halladay (32), along with the retired number of Jackie Robinson (42), were inscribed above the venue'spress box for the 2020 season. In addition, the number of former Toronto Blue Jays playerTony Fernández (1) was inscribed on the venue's outfield fence to honor his recent passing.[215]
Sahlen Field is located at the Elm Street exit (Exit 6) ofInterstate 190, and within one mile of both the Oak Street exit ofRoute 33 and the Seneca Street exit ofRoute 5.[216]
An 816-space Allproparking ramp is located behind right field on Exchange Street, and apedestrian bridge over Washington Street connects it with a 457-space Allpro parking garage under theSeneca One Tower complex.[217][218] The Allpro parking garage provides acharging station.[219]
The venue is publicly served bySeneca Station ofBuffalo Metro Rail, located one block West of the venue on Main Street.[220] It is also served byBuffalo–Exchange Street station ofAmtrak, located directly across from the venue on Exchange Street.[221]
Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority maintains the Washington & Seneca bus stop located directly outside the venue's Seneca Street entrance, providing local service onRoute 8 between downtown Buffalo andUniversity Station.[222]Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center is located two blocks North of the venue on Ellicott Street and providesintercity bus service.[223]
Reddy Bikeshare maintains anautomated station at the corner of Washington Street and Swan Street.[224]
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| Events and tenants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Home of the Buffalo Bisons 1988 – 2019 2021 – present | Succeeded by Trenton Thunder Ballpark Present |
| Preceded by | Host of the Old-Timers Baseball Classic 1988 – 1990 | Succeeded by Final event |
| Preceded by Inaugural event Spring Mobile Ballpark | Host of the Triple-A All-Star Game 1988 2012 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Inaugural event | Host of StarGaze 1992 – 1993 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | World University Games venue 1993 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Inaugural | Home of the Buffalo Nighthawks 1998 | Succeeded by Final |
| Preceded by Inaugural | Home of the Buffalo Bulls 2000 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Inaugural event Highmark Stadium | Host of the National Buffalo Wing Festival 2002 – 2019 2025 – present | Succeeded by Highmark Stadium Present |
| Preceded by | Home of the Toronto Blue Jays 2020 2021 | Succeeded by |
