The Buffalo Bisons once had a state-of-the-art stadium that was the envy of Triple-A baseball. That same downtown Buffalo ballpark is now 35 years old and in need of an overhaul.
So, the team is in preliminary discussions with state officials about getting financial assistance to make upgrades to Sahlen Field.
The Bisons, the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, have hired lobbyist firm Masiello, Martucci & Associates, led by former Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello, to help make that pitch at the state level to Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Masiello told the New York Post he’ll also be discussing the potential for funds with the City of Buffalo, and a spokesperson for the city confirmed there’s been preliminary discussions.
The 16,600-seat stadium, which was built in 1988 as Pilot Field, is considered the first classic retro ballpark – built before stadiums such as Camden Yards in Baltimore – and its construction triggered a stadium boom at both the minor and major league levels.
But it is now the oldest non-renovated Triple-A ballpark in the country and has gone relatively unchanged for fans who attend games.
The Toronto Blue Jays will be moving out and construction crews will get to work retrofitting the park for the Buffalo Bisons’ home opener Aug. 10 against Rochester.
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