The blog has been idle over the weekend in large part because those boxes don't pack themselves, my friends. Thanks to the few of you that have sent 'well wishes' with the move Tuesday.

Here comes the Herd... The Bisons' clubhouse has been open for business the last two days and the players have been coming in while trying to arrange their lives before hitting the road. In a lot of ways, they're like anyone who moves to a new city during a job change. Get in, get settled, get cable, print directions to the ballpark, find food... all that stuff. Nothing official for the club today.

Team workouts are scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday with lots of web features coming here and from the Bisons.com team.

Back to packing.

Some are good and some are bad.

The numbers game bumped Ben Francisco off the team's Opening Day roster heading into the last day of Big League camp. 

Dubbed “The Franchise” by the Bisons faithful, he’s another tough out in the order for skipper Torey Lovullo. He’ll be welcomed with open arms by the fans with the incredible numbers he’s posted in the last two years playing for Buffalo.  In short, team MVP one year and the International League’s batting champ the next makes it bittersweet for a guy that needs to keep getting AB’s so he keeps stinging the ball and is ready for his next opportunity to jump back up with the Big Club. 

Eric Wedge admitted today in Winter Haven, FL that not keeping the outfielder and Josh Barfield were among the toughest decisions made this spring.  As tough as it was the number of quality players stockpiled this season in Buffalo have to provide some level of comfort for the Tribe. 

Later in the day, Jason Tyner was re-assigned to minor league camp and the Bisons played Richmond to a 1-1 tie.

Plenty, and some of the “new” started even before the official “What’s New” event at the ballpark this afternoon. 

Earlier this morning the Indians optioned Tom Mastny to the Bisons prompting many of my broadcasting brethren to send emails that included the phrases: “can you guys get any better” or “will you loose any games this year” and our GM’s favorite prognostication, “why play the season, pick up the Governor’s Cup when you’re in Richmond during your first road trip.”  Mike is getting a little antsy since the Herd hasn’t hoisted a trophy since 2004 and let’s be honest, I’d like to add another championship ring to my collection too.   

Overall I agree, the way the roster has taken shape the last week-plus, the Bisons look incredibly strong.  The rotation will rival any in Triple-A (and a few in the Big Leagues), the bullpen looks solid and the guys playing the field all proven credentials. 

The roster will be a feature in the next few days in large part because Cleveland skipper, Eric Wedge has said he’d like to have the roster ready when they break camp to play their exhibition games in Atlanta and that starts Friday. 

Back to the new: The Bisons unveiled a large majority of the new goodies that will be part of this season.  We even thought the famous fridaynightbash!® could use a little tweaking, so we did and you won't believe who gets in FREE (click here to find out).  From food, on-field promotions, in-game entertainers, and the new gear it’s a pretty impressive line-up. 

Keep this in mind, there are a few more HUGE surprises coming to help celebrate “The Year of the Bisons Fan!” 

With the final day of Spring Training around the corner, the Bisons roster is really starting to fall into place.  In large part, the Bisons benefit from the battles forged from the spots the Indians had to fill.

One of the biggest decisions to be made happened yesterday with Cliff Lee being awarded the fifth spot in the rotation.  The other two candidates, Jeremy Sowers and Aaron Laffey, will throw every fifth day for the Herd.  Another debate was settled late this afternoon. 

The Indians optioned 2B Josh Barfield to the Buffalo Bisons roster as many of you were on the drive home.  In the same move, RHP Scott Elarton was also reassigned to minor league camp.

Read the complete release here and find out more about Barfield and Elarton.

Following today’s game former Bisons skipper, Eric Wedge told the media more moves will be made Wednesday with hopes of having the Indians roster set prior to breaking camp and entering exhibition play in Atlanta. 

The next 48 hours should give us the final few moves to put the final pieces into place for the Bisons roster that will open the season in Norfolk. 

Buffalo Bisons first baseman Jordan Brown hit three home runs today as the Herd defeated the Toledo Mud Hens, 6-2, in an exhibition game from Lakeland, FL.

Brown, 24, hit two solo home runs and a two-run shot for the Bisons, finishing the game 3-4 with three RBI. He also drew a walk as the Bisons evened their spring training record at 3-3-1.

Brown figures to be in the mix in Buffalo this season after a stellar campaign with Double-A Akron in 2007. He was the Eastern League Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year and mid-season and post season All-Star. His .333 (161-483) batting average led all Double-A hitters. He also had 36 doubles, 11 home runs, 76RBI, 63 walks and a .421 on-base percentage with the Aeros.

In 2006, Brown was named the Carolina League Most Valuable player after hitting .290 with 15 home runs and 87RBI with Single-A Kinston. He was Cleveland’s 4th round pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft.

OF Jason Cooper (2-3, 2 2B) and C Wyatt Toregas (3-4, RBI) also had solid offensive games on Monday.

On the mound, RHP Adam Miller started the game and allowed two runs on three hits in 3.0 innings (3K). Edward Mujica (2-0) earned his second spring win with Buffalo with 2.0 shutout innings of work (2H, 1K).

The Cleveland Indians today announced that LHP Jeremy Sowers and LHP Aaron Laffey have been optioned to the Buffalo Bisons roster.

Sowers was the Bisons 2006 Warren Spahn Most Valuable Pitcher while Laffey took the honor last season.

Sowers, 24, split last season with the Bisons and the Indians and was 4-5 with a 4.10ERA in 15 starts with Buffalo (96.2IP, 112H, 56R, 44ER, 24BB, 51K). In his final nine games from July 21 to the end of the season, the former 1st round draft pick was 4-1 with a 2.95ERA. He finished 3rd on the Bisons in innings pitched (96.2IP) and 5th in strikeouts (61).

In 2006, Sowers was 9-1 with a 1.39ERA in 15 games with the Bisons, leading the team in wins and finishing 3rd in innings pitched (97.1IP). When he was promoted from the Herd on June 23, 2006, he led all of Triple-A in ERA.

Laffey, 22, flew up the Indians system in 2007, starting the year at Double-A Akron before making his Major League debut. In between, the southpaw went 9-3 with a 3.08ERA in 16 games with the Bisons (96.1IP, 89H, 36R, 33ER, 23BB, 75K). He became the first Bisons pitcher in the Modern Era to win six games in a single month, going 6-0 with a 0.87ERA in June. He won his next three decisions, becoming the only starting pitcher in the Bisons Modern Era to win nine consecutive decisions. He finished the year 1st on the Bisons in complete games (2), T1st in wins (9) and quality starts (10) and 3rd in strikeouts (75).

Laffey was named IL Pitcher of the Week on August 9 and after the season was given the Bob Feller Award as the Indians Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

The Indians spring training Major League roster is now at 29 players and 6 non-roster invitees.

BISONS NEWS BEAT:  This just in... I've learned the highlight video from the Family Fun Open House is online for your viewing pleasure. 

Packing can be summed up in with three letters… ugh.  I never get used to it and we’ve moved enough the US Post Office has a flash card of all our forwarding addresses.  My wife and I have gone into overdrive packing as we get ready to move next weekend.

As we move closer to Opening Day, I’ve gotten questions like, “who cares when you’re packing, when are the Bisons unpacking?”  A little harsh but I’ll answer the question. 

The Bisons will break camp and arrive in Buffalo Monday and have preseason workouts on Tuesday and Wednesday.  There will be plenty of unpacking just to repack and travel to Norfolk to open the season.  Trust me, between the blog and Team Bisons.com, you’ll know just about every move the team makes once they’re in town. 

Taking your questions is something Duke and I enjoy doing during every broadcast.  Moving ahead we’ll handle your questions in two ways. 

• Uno: We’ll compile all the questions you send in and answer them each week in our Saturday Mailblog session. 
• Dos:  Throughout every broadcast we have Q&A sessions.  We check the broadcast booth inbox throughout the entire game.

You can send us an email or txt me: broadcast@bisons.com.  Make sure you include your name and hometown when you send us a note so we can thank you for your effort.  It’s just easier to thank “Mr. Shaw” versus “SweetSammy @ email.com” – trust me! 

I'm back on the clock.  My apologies to those of you who check back regularly and found no update yesterday.  Between cursing my bracket and getting ready to move into our first house, time has been tight.  My question, how did we get all this “stuff” in just one year in Buffalo?  I digress.  Back to the task at hand and what happened in the last few hours:

Here's some 'three dot data' from the Tribe on Thursday... Indians optioned OF BRAD SNYDER to AAA Buffalo and reassigned RHP MATT GINTER, RHP JEFF HARRIS, LHP RICH RUNDLES, CA ARMANDO CAMACARO, CA DAVID WALLACE, INF AARON HERR & INF DANNY SANDOVAL to minor league camp leaving just 36 players in Major League camp… Among the 36 players, there are 17 pitchers, 9 infielders, 7 outfielders and 3 catchers… RHP BRENDAN DONNELLY, who was signed to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training on February 6th will not report to camp until the end of March to begin his rehab after undergoing Tommy John surgery last August.  More details here! 

Also, Adam Miller was back on the mound.  In the 5-2 Buffalo win versus Akron, the Tribe's top prospect worked two innings, allowed one hit, a walk, one punch out, and no runs. The Texan has already been slated to be part of the Herd's roster if all goes well.  The game scheduled against Toledo was rained out.  Details here.

Good luck on your second day of bracket watching and capping off a less than productive work week :) 

The snow continued to melt off the Dunn Tire Park playing surface today as we all anticipate the Bisons official arrival in a few weeks.  There is a MASSIVE snow drift between the dugouts behind home plate so the sun has a lot of work to do to get rid of all the snow in the park but it has done a great job so far.  Down south the Bisons had much better playing conditions but couldn’t find enough fire power for a win.

Buffalo was defeated by the Round Rock Express (Astros), 8-2, Tuesday afternoon from Winter Haven, FL. The Herd is now 2-2 after the first four games of their 12-game spring exhibition schedule.

Solo home runs from outfielder Nathan Panther and infielder Wes Hodges accounted for both the Bisons runs. Panther also singled (2-3) as he had two of the Bisons’ five hits in the game.

With Cleveland having a scheduled off day, RHP Fausto Carmona pitched for the Herd. Cleveland’s 19-game winner from last season allowed three unearned runs on six hits in five innings of work. He also stuck out five.

I bounced out of the office a little early today and made a brief appearance on ‘Western New York SportzBlitz’ featured on Time Warner SportsNet.  We talked a little hoops and Bisons baseball.  I really think in the months to come you'll see more Bisons information featured.  When I left for the show I didn’t know the result of the game today or the individual performances.  You can read a few of the highlights below including another great day at the plate with Ryan Mulhern. 

By the way, Mulhern is one of nine featured wallpapers you can download and set as your desktop.  Any of the nine will look great and get you more excited for the season opener. 

Buffalo Bisons defeated the Richmond Braves, 11-1, Monday afternoon from Winter Haven, FL. The Herd is now 2-1 after the first three games of their 12-game spring exhibition schedule.

Outfielder Trevor Crowe homered, drove in two and stole his first base of the spring with the Bisons (1-2, HR, 2RBI, 2BB). First baseman Ryan Mulhern collected two more hits (2-3, 2B) to help lead Buffalo’s 14-hit attack.

The Bisons’ 2007 Most Valuable Player, Mulhern is hitting .700 (7-10) with five doubles and 4RBI so far this spring. Last season, Mulhern led the Bisons with 36 doubles and 76RBI.

Read more about the game by clicking here. 

The Bisons Home Opener is just 25 days away and individual game, season ticket and ticket packages are now available.

A few questions have trickled in about the blog and its future use during the season.  Here are a couple of reasons you will be able to utilize “The Dish” once the seasons gets rolling.

• An information source  I know this can have broad strokes but when the season begins you can look here for posts before you head to Dunn Tire Park or tune into the broadcast.  I'll be able to expand on some of the team releases and information that is covered extensively on Bisons.com.  Following the game I’ll give you some insight or relay the thoughts of my partner, Duke McGuire, without giving you the entire recap that’s already provided.  We’ve already given some great information concerning the roster moves and ballpark events.
• Fun facts  Over the course of the season there will be plenty that we can share on this subject that may not directly relate to game we broadcast.  Maybe an interesting topic that develops from a conversation I have with one of the players at lunch…  The random updates I foresee happening in the wee hours of the morning in various airports… Some info about the cities we visit over the year. For instance, last year Miley Cyrus appeared in Scranton or when the fans go ‘fishing’ for autographs in Pawtucket… The feeling I had standing in front of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra practice session before the game on July 3 (I don’t think I can accurately describe that moment with the written word). This portion of the blog is what I’m looking forward to writing about the most. 

I hope this helps answer some of your questions, keep them coming and thanks for the positive feedback already.  If you have questions about the up and coming season or want to suggest future topics for me to cover on 'The Dish', feel free to send me an email by clicking here. Now, go fill out your brackets!

Even though the entire playing field was covered in snow there was a great crowd at Dunn Tire Park for the annual Family Day Open House.  Dozens were waiting to get in at 11 a.m. and over 500 fans worked their way through to take advantage of all the goodies and entertainment while roaming behind the scenes at the ballpark.  I would like to say a special “thank you” to everyone that stopped by our broadcast booth to say, “hello” and talk Bisons baseball. 

The Bisons Home Opener is just 27 days away! Buffalo will host the Toledo Mud Hens on Friday, April 11 (6:05 p.m.) for a fridaynightbash!®. Individual game, season ticket and ticket packages are now available.

~ When we were done with the event I learned the Tribe made a few roster moves:
The Cleveland Indians optioned RHP Edward Mujica and C Wyatt Toregas to the Buffalo Bisons. The Tribe also reassigned RHP Rick Bauer, RHP JD Martin, RHP Jeff Stevens, C/INF Chris Gimenez, INF Jordan Brown, INF Beau Mills and OF Trevor Crowe to minor league camp.

Mujica, 23, has spent time with the Bisons during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Last year, he led the Bisons with 14 saves and was 2-1 with a 5.01ERA in 34 games pitched. In 2006, Mujica was 3-1 with a 2.48ERA and five saves in 22 games.

Toregas, 25, spent the 2007 with the Double-A Akron Aeros and was the league’s top defensive catcher. He paced the Eastern League by throwing out 52% of would-be base stealers (32CS, 62ATT). Toregas hit .250 with six home runs and 39RBI in 86 games.

If you have questions about the up and coming season or want to suggest future topics for me to cover on The Dish, feel free to send me an email by clicking here.   

I’m sitting here patiently waiting for Illinois and Purdue to finish their overtime game because Indiana plays Minnesota next.   I really don’t care who wins so we’ll update the blog. 

Saturday is the annual Family Day Open House and little by little the ballpark is starting to look ready for Opening Day.  In the last couple of days there has been a different pace in the Front Office.  Shipments are arriving at the dock at the back of the park, ticket windows are being wiped crystal clear at the front and from top to bottom the park is getting organized.  While many of the areas considered ‘behind the scenes’ are functional for fans and the team if they arrived today some are not.  I’ll talk more about ballpark preparation closer to Opening Day but for now I’ll focus on my Open House top picks. 

• Clubhouse: The home away for home for the Bisons players during the season and a rare opportunity for you to take a peek at Torey Lovello’s office among the other things that make this one of the most comfortable clubhouses in baseball.
• Batting Cages: On the lower level just outside the Bisons Clubhouse are two full length batting cages.  This past year they’ve been used A LOT by high school kids and various camps.  Here’s your chance to step in and take a few hacks.
• Press Box: One of the best views to look at the park no matter what time of year.  A large collection of Bisons memorabilia will be laid out on press row and you’ll have a chance to see the main production rooms that produce all the sounds you hear while you’re at the game.   I tested the radio equipment earlier in the week and left everything set up so you can see how it looks for the broadcast.  If the team was in town, all Duke and I would have to do is sit down and bring you the game. 
• Ticket Windows:  Why is this so cool?  Because when you hear the words, “next in line please,” you’re just minutes away from holding your tickets to another great night out with your friends or the family. 

In case you were wondering, Illinois advances in the Big Ten Tournament after Purdue shoots 0-10 in the extra period, finally time to watch the Hoosiers.

Buffalo defeated Round Rock (Houston Astros), 4-3, in their spring exhibition opener at Winter Haven, FL.

Ryan Mulhern finished the game 1-3 with a double and a pair of RBI. The first baseman was the Bisons 2007 Stan Baron Most Valuable Player after hitting .290 with a team-high 16 home runs and 76RBI in 130 games.

Outfielders Nathan Panther (2-3, R) and Ryan Goleski (2-3, R) added to the Bisons’ eight-hit attack on Friday.

On the mound, Cleveland Indians’ reliever Rafael Betancourt earned the victory with two innings of shutout baseball. He allowed just two hits and struck out two batters. Randy Newsom pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth inning for the save.

Buffalo will take on the Toledo Mud Hens tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. at Winter Haven, FL. RHP Sean Smith is schedule to start for the Bisons.

The Bisons Home Opener is just 28 days away as they will host the Toledo Mud Hens on Friday, April 11 (6:05 p.m.) for a fridaynightbash!®.

Individual game tickets go on sale at the annual Family Day Open House at Dunn Tire Park, Saturday, March 15 (12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.).

This shot is taken from just behind the Bisons' dugout looking up to the Bisons Broadcast booth.

Baseball has arrived for the Bisons!  Well, not in Buffalo quite yet but in Florida the Bisons will be playing their first game of the spring in Winter Haven against Round Rock.

During the off season, all of us that contribute to Bisons.com have been developing new ideas on how to bring you closer to the Herd on and off the field.  Instead of waiting around, we’re unavailing more features than every before!  After all, this is the “Year of the Bisons Fan.”

You’ve already seen the new look of the Bisons homepage and increased video features, to pull a couple off the top of my head.  In the next few weeks you’ll read more stories about the team and players as they prepare to open the season in Virginia.  Speaking of getting the season started, I hope you’ll join the Bisons as we return back to WWKB 1520 or at Bisons.com for all the exciting action. 

The roster has started to take shape following some moves made by the Tribe earlier in the week.  Righty Adam Miller and lefty Reid Santos were both optioned to the Bisons while southpaw Chuck Lofgren was sent to minor league camp too. On Thursday the Indians added Brian Slocum and Tony Sipp to the Bisons roster.  Check out the official releases with more details by clicking here.

I can’t throw the entire scoop on “The Dish” during our first post but there will be plenty more news from the Open House at Dunn Tire Park on Saturday and the “What’s New Event” as the season approaches. 

Many of the traditions you’ve come to expect will return but we can guarantee that you’ll have a new fan experience this year like never before.   

As always, we encourage your questions and commnets.  Feel free to email the blog and broadcast booth (or if you're super savy, send us a text message!) at broadcast@bisons.com.