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.