The Buffalo Bisons announced today that they will be installing the LARGEST High-Definition Light Emitting Diode (LED) Video Display in all of Minor League Baseball at Coca-Cola Field before the start of the 2011 season. The new signature 80′ x 33′ LED HD Video Display from Daktronics, Inc. will add an unparalleled level of enjoyment to the Bisons Baseball Experience.

The new $2.5 million BisonsTV HD board will be funded completely by the Bisons organization and will once again demonstrate the team’s private investment in providing the ultimate fan experience and value at every game. Earlier this off-season, the Bisons financed the replacement of the ballpark’s field drainage system and playing surface in a project that exceeded $970,000.

In conjunction with the Bisons announcement, Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown announced the City will finance the installation of new energy-efficient lighting system at Coca-Cola Field that will greatly reduce the ballpark’s energy demands.

“Bisons’ owners, Bob and Mindy Rich, continue to show their dedication to providing the best sports entertainment experience in Western New York; a commitment that hasn’t wavered since the opening of this great ballpark in 1988,” said Mike Buczkowski, Vice President/General Manager of the Bisons. “The public-private partnership that has existed between the Bisons, the City of Buffalo and the County of Erie has been instrumental to the success and standing of this franchise in Western New York and in Minor League Baseball.

“The new BisonsTV HD board will bring an unparalleled level of entertainment and excitement to our great fans, and with the new energy-efficient lighting system, will firmly position Coca-Cola Field’s reputation as a premier ballpark for the next 25 years and beyond,” said Buczkowski.

“The City of Buffalo is making a significant investment in Coca-Cola Field by installing a new state-of-the-art ‘green’ lighting system that will enhance the overall experience fans and players will have in the ballpark, but just as importantly the new lighting system will provide considerable energy costs savings to the city,” said Mayor Brown. “The Buffalo Bisons continue to provide an excellent family-oriented entertainment opportunity for thousands of residents of our city and region. The city is committed to working with the Bob and Mindy Rich, Jonathan Dandes, Mike Buczkowski and the entire Bisons organization to ensure that Coca-Cola Field remains one of the premier professional sports venues at any level in the nation.”

On July 11, 2012, Coca-Cola Field will be the site of the 25th Annual Triple-A All-Star Game.

About the BisonsTV HD Video Display
The new “BisonsTV HD” board will be more than three times the size of the current 38′ x 19′ model that has been in place at Coca-Cola Field since the 1999 season. Daktronics, Inc. of Brookings, South Dakota has been contracted by the team to install the new video board this winter. The state-of-the-art system at Coca-Cola Field will feature the latest Daktronics 15 mm LED video technology with the capabilities to present live and recorded video images, colorful animation and vivid graphics.

The display can show either full video images or windowed images with video, advertisements, statistical information and more. With this project, the Coca-Cola Field control room and camera equipment are being upgraded to High Definition. Sports Display Systems, a local video systems integration company, is providing Engineering and Installation services. Equipment is being provided by Audio Video Corporation.

Daktronics boards are currently in place in the ballparks of 26 of the 30 major league teams. Most recently, the company installed scoreboards at Citi Field, Yankee Stadium and Target Field in Minnesota.

For the third time in the 24-year history of Coca-Cola Field, the Bisons will turn to Daktronics to provide its signature scoreboard. The first centerfield message center in place when the ballpark opened in 1988 was from the South Dakota-company as was the original Big Board in 1999 -then the largest video board in minor league baseball.

“Our strong working relationship with Daktronics has only been solidified over years of great support and high-quality products,” said Buczkowski. “It’s only appropriate that their new signature video board will find a home in a ballpark that has meant so much to the baseball industry over the past two-plus decades.”

“We appreciate the relationship that has grown through the years,” Scott Willson, Daktronics Sales, said. “The Bisons have always looked for ways to update their facility to provide the best in-game presentation for their fans.”

About the new Energy-Efficient Lighting System
The new lighting system at Coca-Cola Field will feature 168 fixtures on the eight poles, less than half as many lights currently used to light the playing field. By requiring 1.564 kW per light, the new system is projected to save 2,536.1 metric tons of CO2 and over 3.5 million kW hours of energy over the next 25-years.

By using less energy and producing less waste, the project will save an estimated $1.5 million in operating cost.

About Daktronics, Inc.
Daktronics has strong leadership positions in, and is the world’s largest supplier of, large screen video displays, electronic scoreboards, computer-programmable displays, digital billboards, and control systems. The company excels in the control of large display systems, including those that require integration of multiple complex displays showing real-time information, graphics, animation and video. Daktronics designs, manufactures, markets and services display systems for customers around the world, in sport, business and transportation applications. For more information, visit the company’s World Wide Web site at: http://www.daktronics.com, e-mail the company at sales@daktronics.com, call (605) 692-0200 or toll-free (800) 325-8766 in the United States or write to the company at 331 32nd Ave. PO Box 5128 Brookings, S.D. 57006-5128.

The annual Bisons Hot Stove is just days away with the return of Terry Collins, the New York Mets manager, serving as the keynote. While the preparations continue for a great event downtown (details below) we wanted to pass along a HUGE ‘thank you’ to our visitors, new and frequent.

“We salute those who have built dedicated audiences,” MLBlogosphere posted. “Each month we highlight the bloggers who have attracted the most pageviews, and just like the past two years, we’ve done year-end Leaders as well. Congratulations to all the 2010 Leaders!”

For the third straight year the Buffalo Bisons blog finished among MLBlogs best. Herd readers positioned the blog seventh most popular among all International League based trackers, twelfth for blogs dedicated to a minor league team and tabbed in 71st overall for professional clubs.

MLBlogs tracks blogs orchestrated by fans, MLB Pro (like ‘The Dish’) and MLB.com beat writers blogs who follow MLB clubs.

New York Mets Manager and Buffalo Baseball Hall of Famer TERRY COLLINS will speak at the Bisons annual Hot Stove Luncheon, Friday, January 21 inside the Grand Ballroom at the Adam’s Mark Hotel (12pm).

Collins, 61, was hired by the Mets as the 20th manager in franchise history on November 22, 2010. He served the 2010 season as New York’s minor league field coordinator, overseeing all phases of the Mets’ minor league operations. The 61-year old managed the Bisons for three seasons from 1989-1991 and was 246-186 during his time with the club. His .569 winning percentage as Herd skipper is the 8th highest in the 125-year history of the Buffalo Bisons. Collins was inducted into the Buffalo Bisons Hall of Fame in 1992.

Buffalo Bisons Vice President/General Manager Mike Buczkowski will also speak during the Hot Stove Luncheon program. Buczkowski will inform the fans on off-season updates with the team and Coca-Cola Field. The “Voice of the Bisons,” Ben Wagner will emcee the luncheon.

The Bisons will also hold a merchandise sale of select items.

TICKETS for the event are on sale for only $20 and can be purchased by calling the Bisons at (716) 846-2011. Tables of eight can be purchased for $160. The ticket price includes a buffet lunch served at 12:00 p.m. Doors to the Adam’s Mark Grand Ballroom open at 11:30 a.m.

The Bisons are asking all fans to R.S.V.P. for the event by Tuesday, January 18, 2011.

Russ Adams, 30, spent the entire 2010 season with the Bisons, his first season in Buffalo. The veteran hit .264 (101-383) with a career-high 16 home runs and 58RBI in 108 games with the Herd. He also finished 1st on the team with 28 doubles and 46 extra-base hits and tied for the team-lead with 58RBI.

MORE: Russ Adams

The New York Mets selected North Tonawanda product RHP Ricky Brooks in the Triple-A phase of the 2010 Rule V Draft. A graduate from North Tonawanda High School in 2003, he was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the third round of the 2005 draft.

Brooks was a three-year player for the North Tonawanda Lumberjacks. The pitcher posted a 16-4 record and was named Western New York Player of the Year as the Lumberjack’s senior captain in 2003. During the 2002-2003 scholastic year, Brooks helped NT to Section VI titles in football, hockey and baseball.

MORE: Ricky Brooks

Buffalo will begin the 2011 season at Coca-Cola Field, April 7 when the Bisons host the Syracuse Chiefs at 3:05 p.m. Additional club and roster information can always be found via the Bisons official website: bisons.com and you can get instant information on the Herd through Twitter @BuffaloBisons anytime.

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By Blake Arlington, bisons.com

The New York Mets today announced that they have hired Buffalo Baseball Hall of Famer TERRY COLLINS to be their new field manager.

Collins, 61, managed the Bisons form 1989-1991 and was 246-186 during his time with the club. The .569 winning percentage is the 8th highest in the 125-year history of the Buffalo Bisons. Collins won 80 games in each of his three years on the bench and took the Herd to the American Association playoffs in 1991.

LISTEN: Ben Wagner on Collins adding to Buffalo bond

In 1992, Collins was inducted into the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame.

Collins is now the fifth current major league manager with direct ties to the Buffalo Bisons. San Diego Padres manager Bud Black was the Bisons pitching coach in 1998 while Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedge led the Bisons to a 178-108 record in two years on the bench in Buffalo, 2001-2002. Newly hired Toronto Blue Jays manager John Farrell was 20-21 with a 5.02ERA in three seasons pitching for the Herd, 1987 and 1995-1996. Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade played 63 games with the Double-A Buffalo Bisons during the 1981 season.

Collins, 61, joined the Mets in 2010 as the Minor League Field Coordinator, overseeing all on-field aspects of the Mets Minor League Spring Training, mini-camps and the Fall Instructional League.

Collins spent six years as a major-league manager, leading the Anaheim Angels and Houston Astros to winning records and second-place finishes in his five full seasons. He managed the Angels from 1997-1999 and the Astros from 1994-1996, compiling an overall record of 444-434 (.506).

“Terry’s a lifelong baseball man who comes with the entire package – leadership, preparation, emotional commitment, and the drive to win,” said Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson. “We believe Terry’s knowledge of our players, energy, intelligence, intensity, and direct approach will make an immediate, positive impact both in the clubhouse and on the field.”

“I want to win and there is no doubt in my mind we have the talent to win,” said Collins. “I know from working firsthand with our prospects that this organization is filled with potential for the future. It’s my job to help transform this team into the winner that our fans deserve, and I’m excited to get started.”

Collins also served as manager the Orix Buffaloes in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league from 2007-2008 and guided Team China in the 2009 World Baseball Classic to its first tournament victory.

Collins managed 11 years in the minors from 1981-1991, including capturing the Pacific Coast League championship in 1987 with the Albuquerque Dukes. The former shortstop played 10 seasons in the minors with the Dodgers from 1974-1978, 1980, 1984 and Pirates from 1971-1973. Collins, a native of Midland, Mich., graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1971 and was twice named to the NAIA Collegiate World Series All-Tournament team in 1968 and 1970.

PHOTO: Collins poses with long-time friends, Bob & Mindy Rich, at Citi Field. (Bruce Adler)