Outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis talks about the upcoming baseball season with the Buffalo Bisons and being in Mets camp.

CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS

Charlotte Roster Taking Shape  (www.ChicagoBreakingSports.com)

Jeff Marquez is among the latest sent to the Knights

COLUMBUS CLIPPERS

Former Clippers Coach is a Real Life Saver  (www.Yahoo.com)

Baseball family gives to lives

 DURHAM BULLS

Roster Moves in Tampa Bay Shape 2011 Bulls  (www.DurhamBulls.com)

Elliot Johnson made the Rays, but several others are headed to Durham

GWINNETT BRAVES

Spring Fling  (www.GwinnettBraves.com)

Spring training comes to an end

 Potential Gwinnett Hurler Strong in Losing Effort  (www.GwinnettDailyPost.com)

Rodrigo Lopez had an encouraging performance

LEHIGH VALLEY IRONPIGS

A Look at the 2011 IronPigs Preseason Storylines  (www.LehighValleyLive.com)

The Express-Times’ Michael Lore examines the Pigs heading into 2011

LOUISVILLE BATS

 

Lewis Injury Could Open the Door for Francisco  (www.TheBatsSignal.com)

Juan Francisco could have a big chance to impress in the big leagues

NORFOLK TIDES

Britton Returning to Norfolk  (www.NorfolkTides.com)

Baltimore’s top pitching prospect will begin the 2011 season with the Tides

ROCHESTER RED WINGS

Twins Set Final Roster  (www.TwinsBaseball.com)

The Red Wings Major League affiliate ready for 2011 season

SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE YANKEES

Nova Earns Spot in NY Yankees Rotation  (www.SWBYankees.com)

SWB’s leading pitcher from 2010 makes Yankees roster

SYRACUSE CHIEFS

Garrett Mock Looking Forward to Healthy Season  (www.Syracuse.com)

The righty missed most of the 2010 campaign

Detwiler Coming to Syracuse  (www.Syracuse.com)

Despite a strong spring, Ross Detwiler will start in Triple-A

TOLEDO MUD HENS

Final Cuts by the Tigers  (www.ToledoBlade.com)

Here is what to expect from the 2011 Mud Hens

The Buffalo Bisons will open the 126th season of professional baseball in Buffalo on Opening Day, Thursday, April 7 against the Syracuse Chiefs (3:05 p.m.). With the home opener just days away, the team announced the new changes fans can expect when they visit Coca-Cola Field this summer.  Here is a quick-hits list of a few things you may have not heard about yet…

 Wing King, Wardynski’s, Upstate Farms, Ilio DiPaolo’s among local favorites menu
Coca-Cola Field is known for its great variety of ballpark foods. In 2011, the Bisons are featuring many of the great flavors that are in our own backyard. A brand new Craft Brew Stand (Section 122) will feature Flying Bison, Saranac and other craft brews along with some great pub fare, including specialty nuts from the Bavarian Nut Company. Pettibones Grille will top select dishes with the specialty sauces of Ilio DiPaolo’s Restaurant and “The Wing King” Drew Cerza in the restaurant and for suite menu options, For an item that is uniquely-Buffalonian, Wardynski’s will provide the fan-favorite fried bologna sandwich. 

For dessert, Upstate Farms will now supply many of the ballpark’s ice cream treats, while fans can enjoy authentic gelato provided by Sweet Melody’s. Additional sweet tooth treasures will be provided by Carvel Ice Cream and Choco Logo chocolates.

For fans wanting to stay away from the sweet and salty, the Bisons will also debut the BlueCross BlueShield Healthy Zone stand (Section 100). Turkey Burgers, Chicken Sausage and Veggie Wraps on whole wheat tortillas and rolls highlight a great alternative menu.

CLICK HERE: Complete list of ‘what’s new’ this season.

New Look Herd
When the Bisons take the field, they may be sporting a new look. The team has introduced new Pinstripe Jerseys to be worn during home games. The white uniforms with blue pinstripes will feature Bisons in blue across the chest and a Bisons logo patch on the left sleeve. This new jersey will primarily be worn by the team on afternoon starts in 2011.

SLR Media & Conferencing Suite
The SLR Media & Conferencing Suite debuted late last season on the first base side and is entering its first full year as the premier way to bring the boardroom to the ballpark. Available for game and non-game day rentals, this suite offers state-of-the-art video conferencing, four 52″ flat screens, internet access, touch-screen controls, a wet bar and its own private restroom. The SLR Media & Conferencing is a great new option for hosting clients or holding business seminars and meetings.

Boston Pops Make First Buffalo Visit
For the first time in their 125-year existence, The Boston Pops will play for the fans of Buffalo. Coca-Cola Field will host the Boston Pops with special guest Kenny Loggins on August, 26 for a non-game day concert. The show is entitled “America’s Orchestra Celebrates America’s Pastimes…Baseball, Movies and Rock n’ Roll” and tickets are now available at Bisons.com for this once-in-a-lifetime event.

CLICK HERE: Complete list of ‘what’s new’ this season.

The Buffalo Bisons and Memphis Redbirds (Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals) played to a 6-6 tie on Wednesday afternoon.

Offensively, OF JASON PRIDIE went 1-3 with a first-inning grand slam. INF VALENTINO PASCUCCI was 1-3 with an RBI-single.

RHP JOSH STINSON started for the Bisons and allowed just two hits in five shutout innings. He struck out four batters. RHP RYOTA IGARASHI chipped in an inning of shutout relief with two strikeouts.

The Bisons are now 4-6-1 in their spring exhibition schedule that concludes tomorrow afternoon with a 1:00 p.m. game against the New Orleans Zephyrs from Port St. Lucie, FL.

There are just 8 days until the Bisons’ 2011 Home Opener on Thursday, April 7 against the Syracuse Chiefs (3:05 p.m.). Tickets are now on-sale at bisons.com or by calling THE-HERD at (843-4373).

When opening day arrives Thursday for Major League Baseball, Buffalo baseball pundits will make their predictions for the MLB season, postseason and preview which players could be Buffalo bound as camp breaks this Friday.

Bisons broadcaster, Ben Wagner will anchor the discussion with Mike Harrington from The Buffalo News and long-time Buffalo analyst Duke McGuire joining the discussion.  The program will be exclusively available for Time Warner Cable subscribers throughout Western New York. 

TV TIME: Bisons television broadcast schedule

Mike Harrington, a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America, has covered nearly every home game the Bisons have played downtown for The Buffalo News and takes an expansive look a the game in is weekly Inside Baseball column.

Duke McGuire, a recent inductee to the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame, has been involved with Bisons baseball for over three decades, he has served on the broadcast crew for both radio and television for the past 20 years. 

Ben Wagner, the play-by-play voice of the Bisons, is set to begin his fifth season anchoring every Bisons games on radio or on the Herd’s, ever expanding, television package on Time Warner Cable SportsNet and selected games on SportsNet New York.

The gates open for Bisons baseball next Thursday, April 7 when Buffalo faces Syracuse at 3:05 p.m.

Watch MLB’s primetime game at Pettibones.

Outfielder Jesus Feliciano is back in Mets spring training after making his big league debut with the team in 2010. A Bisons’ team MVP in 2009, fell just 20 at-bats shy of logging the second-best batting average in the league last year, due to his MLB time.

PLAYER BIO: Jesus Feliciano

Bisons opener is just 9-days out

The Buffalo Bisons defeated the New Orleans Zephyrs (Triple-A affiliate of the Florida Marlins), 3-2, on Tuesday afternoon.  The win gives Buffalo victories in four of the past five games.

OF FERNANDO MARTINEZ continued his hot spring, going 3-5 with a double, a home run and an RBI.

RHP BOOF BONSER earned the victory for the Herd, allowing just one run over five innings of work. RHP DALE THAYER was also impressive, striking out five batters in two shutout innings of relief.

They are now 4-6 with two exhibition games left this spring.

There are just 9 days until the Bisons’ 2011 Home Opener on Thursday, April 7 against the Syracuse Chiefs (3:05 p.m.). Tickets are now on-sale at bisons.com or by calling THE-HERD at (843-4373).

Dillon Gee’s focus leading into the 2010 season was to stay healthy. His health and on-field performance broke records in Buffalo and led to a September call to the Mets. Feeling stronger than ever, Gee has his sights set on a return to the New York rotation.

Dillon Gee: player page here

Baseball is right around the corner. Get your tickets for Opening Day, the BPO or the Famous Chicken. All 72 Home Games are now on sale at Bisons.com: GET TO THE GAME!

One fan will be selected to deliver a ceremonial first pitch

The Buffalo Bisons will welcome baseball fans in Western New York on MLB’s OPENING NIGHT at Pettibones Grille  on Thursday, March 31 for the San Francisco Giants/Los Angeles Dodgers game at 8:00 p.m.

The event will include free chicken wings and Coca-Cola soft drinks for a $5 donation to the American Red Cross Japanese relief efforts. Doors to Pettibones Grille will open at 7:00 p.m.

The defending World Series Champion Giants take on the Dodgers in Major League Baseball’s first prime time game of the year. The 2011 season opens earlier that day with five afternoon contests.

The New York Mets, parent club of Buffalo, open the season in Florida on Friday night.

The MLB OPENING NIGHT will feature the Giants/Dodgers game on televisions throughout Pettibones Grille. The Bisons will also hand out several door prizes, including a Ceremonial First Pitch to the team’s first fridaynightbash!®, Friday, April 8 against the Syracuse Chiefs (5:05 p.m.).

The Bisons will also have new merchandise and apparel on sale. Pettibones Grille will also feature a cash bar and a limited pub menu for fans.

The Bisons spring training game against the Syracuse Chiefs on Monday afternoon has been rained out. With just three games left on the spring schedule, Monday’s contest will not be made up.

Today’s Mets game was also washed out in Port St. Lucie, FL.

The Herd will face the New Orleans Zephyrs (Triple-A affiliate of the Florida Marlins) on Tuesday afternoon from Jupiter, FL (1:00 p.m.).

There are just 10 days until the Bisons’ 2011 Home Opener on Thursday, April 7 against the Syracuse Chiefs (3:05 p.m.). Tickets are now on-sale at bisons.com or by calling THE-HERD at (843-4373).