Isotopes Park will be the host site for the 2011 Triple-A Baseball National Championship Game, pitting the winner of the Pacific Coast League playoffs against the winner of the International League’s Governors’ Cup, in a one-game championship showdown on Tuesday, September 20 at 6:05 PM.

The contest, which will be nationally-televised on VERSUS, is the centerpiece of a day-long event that includes a free pre-game autograph session with Dodgers legends, a great giveaway from presenting sponsor Sandia Resort, and a post-game fireworks show.

The championship is one of two marquee events for baseball’s highest developmental level. For the past 23 summers, the Triple-A Baseball All-Star Game has showcased tomorrow’s Major League Stars in a mid-summer classic on the day following the Major League All-Star Game. Salt Lake City, Utah will play host to the 2011 Triple-A All-Star Game, scheduled for July 13.

In 1998 the Bisons participated in the best-of-five Triple-A World Series in Las Vegas, NV. The Herd was bested by New Orleans 3-1 in the series. Since 1909, Buffalo has been part of nine Triple-A Championship events.

Buffalo will host the 25th anniversary of the All-Star Game on July 11, 2012, a quarter-century after hosting the inaugural event.

2012 Triple-A All Star Game: DETAILS!

“Isotopes Park has been the scene of a lot of big events through the years and we’re excited and honored to be chosen to host the 2011 Triple-A Baseball National Championship Game,” said team president Ken Young. “The National Championship is yet another way we can showcase to the entire country our great facility as well as the great baseball fans we have in Albuquerque and throughout the state of New Mexico.”

The contest will be televised live on VERSUS and is expected to be re-aired the following day on the Major League Baseball Network. It will also be broadcast live on radio coast-to-coast in Triple-A markets throughout the nation.

The excitement starts at 4:30 PM with a free pre-game autograph session on the Isotopes Park concourse with Dodgers greats Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, and Bill Russell, who will be signing autographs and taking pictures with fans until 6:00 PM. The first 1,500 fans will also get a great giveaway item courtesy of Sandia Resort. After the contest, fans will be treated to a spectacular fireworks show, the last one at The Lab in 2011.

Tickets for the Triple-A National Championship will go on sale Saturday, March 12 at 10:00 AM on-line at http://www.albuquerquebaseball.com and by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000.

~ Ben Wagner / Buffalo Bisons

Follow the Herd:
Bisons website: bisons.com
2011 schedule: CLICK HERE!
twitter: @BuffaloBisons
Listen to the Game:CLICK HERE!
Bisons Baseball Network: CLICK HERE!
Broadcast Team email: CLICK HERE!
Everything about the Herd: CLICK HERE!
Get to a Game: CLICK HERE!

Route 66 sign by Jeff Greenberg / itsatrip.org

The International League and the Bisons will bring fans a special announcement regarding the future of the Triple-A National Championship Game on bisons.com on Tuesday afternoon.

The Triple-A Baseball National Championship is a one-game, winner-take-all showdown between the champions of the International League and the Pacific Coast League. Following a six year hiatus from a championship, the two leagues have met each fall since 2006 in Oklahoma City, OK for a decisive game.

In 1998 the Bisons participated in the best-of-five Triple-A World Series in Las Vegas, NV. The Herd was bested by New Orleans 3-1 in the series. Since 1909, Buffalo has been part of nine Triple-A Championship events.

In 2010, Triple-A Baseball drew over 14 million fans. That popularity spans the entire United States, from Pawtucket, RI to Sacramento, CA. Amazing new ballparks are taking the excitement to new levels. Since 2009, ballparks in Columbus, Gwinnett, Omaha, Reno, and Tacoma have joined the list of 27 new or totally renovated facilities that have opened in Triple-A Baseball since 1990.

AT A GLANCE: The landscape of Triple-A Baseball

Triple-A Baseball consists of two Leagues at Minor League Baseball’s highest classification. The most senior league, the International, is set to play its 128th consecutive season, which will also mark the 108th season for the IL’s counterpart, the Pacific Coast League.

The championship is one of two marquee events for baseball’s highest developmental level. For the past 23 summers, the Triple-A Baseball All-Star Game has showcased tomorrow’s Major League Stars in a mid-summer classic on the day following the Major League All-Star Game. Salt Lake City, Utah will play host to the 2011 Triple-A All-Star Game, scheduled for July 13.

Buffalo will host the 25th anniversary July 11, 2012, a quarter-century after hosting the inaugural event.

~ Ben Wagner / Buffalo Bisons

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Countdowns

Follow the Herd:
Bisons website: bisons.com
2011 schedule: CLICK HERE!
twitter: @BuffaloBisons
Listen to the Game:CLICK HERE!
Bisons Baseball Network: CLICK HERE!
Broadcast Team email: CLICK HERE!
Everything about the Herd: CLICK HERE!
Get to a Game: CLICK HERE!

Bisons manager Tim Teufel called back to Buffalo and spoke with ‘Hometown Radio 1230’ WECK about the season ahead for the Mets and the Bisons.

LISTEN HERE > Tim Teufel with host, Nick Mendola

The new Bisons skipper swaps memories from the backyard, working his way through the managerial ranks and managing in the moment.

The Buffalo Bisons will get preparations for the 2011 season underway at the Spring Training home of the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie, FL. Pitchers and catchers report on February 15. After a month of workouts, the Herd will start a 13-game Spring schedule that will take us right up to the start of baseball in Buffalo.

The New York Mets will open their 2011 Spring Training at Port St. Lucie, FL when pitchers and catchers report on Tuesday, February 15. Mets’ position players are scheduled to arrive at Digital Domain Park on Saturday, February 19.

The Herd’s schedule will start on Thursday, March 16 in Jupiter, FL against the New Orleans Zephyrs (Florida). The Herd will play six games versus the Zephyrs, five games against the Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis) and two against the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington). The Bisons will play all their home games in the Mets complex at Port St. Lucie FL. All games, home and road, will be played at 1:00 p.m.

The Marlins and Cardinals each have their spring training facility in Jupiter, FL., while the Nationals spring training home is in Viera, FL.

More BisonsTV
Time Warner Cable SportsNet 13 will feature programing to get you ready for the 2011 season and beyond. Check out these great shows and stay up on the Herd like never before.

Hot Stove Show – Hear from New York Mets manager Terry Collins and Bisons skipper Tim Teufel at this year’s Hot Stove Luncheon at the Adam’s Mark Hotel.

Debut Show – Feburary 8 (6:30pm). Also airing Feb. 10 (6pm), Feb. 15 (6:30pm), Feb. 16 (9:30pm), Feb. 17 (6pm), Feb. 18 (10pm), Feb. 19 (6pm), Feb. 20 (5:30pm), Feb. 22 (6:30pm), Feb. 24 (6pm).

2011 Bisons season schedule

The Voice of the Bisons, “Ben Wagner” also introduces the Bisons’ new pinstripe jersery and team General Manager Mike Buczkowski updates fans on the many changes at Coca-Cola Field.