An extensive list of special events, promotions and giveaways throughout the summer season was unveiled today as the Bisons plan to continue their strong tradition of providing the most affordable family entertainment in Western New York. The Bisons announced their promotional calendar for the 2009 season that officially begins April 9 when Buffalo hosts Pawtucket at Coca-Cola Field.

Jampacked lineup: CLICK HERE!

Get to the game: CLICK HERE!

The fourteen teams of the International League will once again be piloted by an experienced group of field managers in 2009. This year’s crop of IL skippers has won over 12,000 games combined in the Minor Leagues.

A new affiliation with the Mets brings a new skipper to Buffalo in Ken Oberkfell, who has managed New York’s Triple-A club in Norfolk (2005-06) and New Orleans (2007-08).

Read about each team’s leader: CLICK HERE!

All four managers from the 2008 Governors’ Cup playoffs are back for another run at the IL’s postseason championship. The playoff managers won’t be the only familiar faces in International League dugouts this season. In fact, thirteen of the fourteen skippers have previously managed in the IL, including eleven who were in the League in 2008. In an interesting twist though, only eight managers are returning to the same city in which they served last year, thanks in part to the Major League affiliation shuffle this past offseason.

With such a high level of Triple-A experience in every one of the IL dugouts this season, 2009 is sure to be an exciting year. The League will also open two brand new facilities this season in Columbus (Huntington Park) and Gwinnett (Gwinnett Stadium). As the season unfolds, only time will tell who will become the 77th manager to have his name etched on the Governors’ Cup trophy.

Manager release courtesy: International League

With the whirlwind of changes this season in and around the ballpark, I thought it would be helpful to review the number of easy steps you can take to help stay current on the Bisons breaking news heading into and throughout the season.

Bisons.com: The locomotive that will power the train of information all season long. Since you already have your Bisons desktop wallpaper – make Bisons.com your homepage.

Bisons Baseball Network – WWKB 1520: Radiating 50,000 watts of Bisons Baseball all summer long, you can listen to the Bisons whether you in the South Towns or living in South Carolina! (or from Medina to northern Maine for that matter) As in years past, the WWKB 1520 radio call will also be available on your computer as part of the Game Day Audio feature, free of charge.

Time Warner Cable SportsNet: This season you’ll watch the Bisons like never before. Once again Time Warner Cable SportsNet will serve as the television home airing games live and available On Demand by utilizing channel 997. Telecast dates for home and road games will be announced soon. The Bisons will also have video webcasts of each home game and a heavy dose of those away from the Nickel City.

“The Dish” – the Bisons official blog: Since you’re already reading it, I’ll assume you’ll be able to navigate back, frequently. As you’ve seen, we’ll have posts, helpful links, pictures, uploads of files, video and audio so you can have it all in a ‘one stop shop’ getting ready for the game.

Exclusive “Inside the Herd” Podcast: Play it on the computer or download and listen to it on the go. The Bisons’ Podcast features commentary, interviews, highlights and tons of content that you won’t find anywhere.

“Inside the Herd” video: From one-on-one player interviews to glances behind the scenes, this becomes your ALL ACCESS pass free of charge.

Feature stories: The Bisons.com staff will talk about the games, the ups and downs of the season and life off the field with many of the players that sit in the Bisons clubhouse over the summer and relay the stories of their life to you.

Newsletter: From online promotions, gate giveaways and roster moves the Bisons newsletter arrives in your inbox and provides a quick-hits list of the most recent happenings with the Bisons. Sign up at the bottom of Bisons.com homepage!

Herd Line: Game recaps, schedule information and ordering your tickets by phone. All this and more can be done by calling THE-HERD (843-4373) and then follow the voice prompts.

Live it Live: You and thousands of others, every home game, downtown having a blast like millions of others have for nearly a quarter century. Here is your ticket info: GET TO THE GAME!

I must watch too much ‘HG TV’ because I know that wallpaper is back and considered to be trendy when you show it off to visitors. Once again, we’re here to help your social status.

Last year the Herd posted a number of desktop wallpapers featuring favorite players and scenes from the yard. Public outcry has spawned the latest installment of the Bisons newest desktop.

Peek at all THREE versions: CLICK HERE!

Be one of the cool kids and show it off in your office. Gotta scoot, a new episode of “Design on a Dime” is about to start!

Ok, I know we said we’ll dust off the keyboard after the Super Bowl and really start hammering away but then this little nugget crossed my desk and made me forget about shoveling snow at 6:30 this morning…

The Buffalo Bisons will get preparations for the 2009 season underway at the Spring Training Home of the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie, FL. Pitchers and catchers report on February 13. After a month of workouts, the Herd will start an 11-game Spring schedule that will take us right up to the start of the 124th season of professional baseball in Buffalo.

The Spring schedule will start on Wednesday, March 18 in Port St.Lucie, FL as the Bisons host the New Orleans Zephyrs (Florida Marlins). The Herd will play five games versus the Zephyrs and six games against the Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis).

Bisons.com will be all over the action from down south and keep you in the loop so you’re set with all the details when Opening Day (April 9) arrives!

Makes me think about digging into the batters box instead of a snow drift!

Date Opponent Location
March 18 v New Orleans Port St. Lucie, FL
March 20 v Memphis Port St. Lucie, FL
March 21 @ New Orleans Jupiter, FL
March 22 @ Memphis Jupiter, FL
March 24 @ New Orleans Jupiter, FL
March 26 @ Memphis Jupiter, FL
March 27 v New Orleans Port St. Lucie, FL
March 29 v Memphis Port St. Lucie, FL
March 31 @ New Orleans Jupiter, FL
April 1 @ Memphis Jupiter, FL
April 2 v Memphis Port St. Lucie, FL
All games start at 1 p.m.