BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Bisons didn't have a ton of time to celebrate returning to Buffalo — there's too much work to be done.

What You Need To Know

  • Bisons GM Anthony Sprague says the organization is thrilled to play its first games in Buffalo in nearly two years
  • Sprague says offices have to be built in the next two weeks, with some construction occurring near the outfield
  • The Bisons did not have a season last year, and they began playing home games in Trenton, N.J., with the Blue Jays taking up their home at Sahlen Field
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"Getting this clubhouse ready. Getting the visitors clubhouse ready. Getting all of our sponsors, our partners back up," says Bisons GM Anthony Sprague. "Tickets on sale. Getting our promotions set. So these next two weeks will be certainly a whirlwind for our staff, and for everybody to get everything ready."

Having the Blue Jays in town meant the Bisons were jettisoned to New Jersey. While Sprague says Trenton was a good host, it wasn’t quite Buffalo.

"There was a movie one time, I think they said ‘no place like home,'" he says. "And no matter how good it was there, no matter how well we were playing there, to bring them back was always — we had one foot in that door all the time while we’re working with the Jays here. We always constantly wanted to bring them back. We’re just so happy that we can finally do it."

When the Bisons take the field for "Opening Night" on August 10, it will be their first ballgame in Buffalo in 711 days. It’s also an opportunity for the organization to put a focus back on fan experience, after spending the last year-and-a-half focused on the Blue Jays.

"It’s all about the game on the field, you know?" he says about the Blue Jays gameday experience in Buffalo. "We’re just all about everything around the game on the field too. My family, when they came, my son asked, ‘hey, why can’t I make it on the video board? Where’s Buster?’ Those things that I think people really missed. No matter how good the product was on the field, I think people will be looking forward to that."

Sprague says ticket demand for the Bisons closely mirrors what ticket demand looked like for the Blue Jays.