Editing Sahlen Field (section)

==History==

===Professional baseball in Buffalo, 1877–1970===

Buffalo began hosting [[professional baseball]] in 1877, when the Buffalo Bisons of the [[League Alliance]] began play at [[Riverside Park (stadium)|Riverside Park]].<ref name="Axisa 2020">{{cite web | last=Axisa | first=Mike | title=MLB returns to Buffalo for first time in 105 years: Exploring the city's rich baseball history | website=CBSSports.com | date=August 11, 2020 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-returns-to-buffalo-for-first-time-in-105-years-exploring-the-citys-rich-baseball-history/ | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> Over the next century, the city hosted major and minor league teams including the [[Buffalo Bisons (IA)|Buffalo Bisons]] ([[International Association for Professional Base Ball Players|IA]], 1878, 1887–1888), [[Buffalo Bisons (NL)|Buffalo Bisons]] ([[National League (baseball)|NL]], 1879–1885), [[1890 Buffalo Bisons season|Buffalo Bisons]] ([[Players' League|PL]], 1890), and the [[Buffalo Blues]] ([[Federal League|FL]], 1914–1915).<ref name="Axisa 2020" /> The longest-tenured franchise was the minor league [[Buffalo Bisons (1886–1970)|Buffalo Bisons]], which was founded in 1886 and played exclusively in the [[International League]] starting in 1912.<ref name="Axisa 2020" /> This club played at [[Olympic Park (Buffalo)|Olympic Park]] until 1923, at which point that venue was demolished and replaced by [[Offermann Stadium]].<ref name="buffalo.bisons.milb.com 2008">{{cite web | title=Buffalo Bisons: About | website=[[Minor League Baseball]] | date=April 13, 2008 | url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-328596 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413032840/http://buffalo.bisons.milb.com/about/page.jsp?ymd=20071210&content_id=328596&vkey=about_t422&fext=.jsp&sid=t422 | archive-date=April 13, 2008 | url-status=live | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref>

Buffalo was awarded an expansion franchise by the [[Continental League]] of Major League Baseball in January 1960, and made plans to play at [[War Memorial Stadium (Buffalo, New York)|War Memorial Stadium]] beginning with the 1961 season. However, the league folded before the season began.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bailey |first1=Budd |title=This Day in Buffalo Sports History: The majors in Buffalo? |url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/this-day-in-buffalo-sports-history-the-majors-in-buffalo/article_9237d643-05a6-55a1-9142-b225331d9bef.html |work=[[The Buffalo News]]|date=January 29, 2011}}</ref> The Buffalo Bisons remained in the International League and began play at War Memorial Stadium in 1961, as Offermann Stadium had already been slated for demolition.<ref name="buffalo.bisons.milb.com 2008" />

In April 1968, [[Robert O. Swados]] and his investment group, which included [[George Steinbrenner]], presented their bid for a Buffalo expansion franchise to the National League Expansion Committee.<ref name="warts">{{Cite web|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1969/01/20/warts-love-and-dreams-in-buffalo|title=WARTS, LOVE AND DREAMS IN BUFFALO|first=Brock|last=Yates|author-link=Brock Yates|website=Sports Illustrated Vault &#124; SI.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Cichon | first=Steve | title=Buffalo in the '60s: George Steinbrenner- 'The Boss' loved Buffalo | website=Buffalo News | date=June 17, 2016 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/local/history/buffalo-in-the-60s-george-steinbrenner--the-boss-loved-buffalo/article_8d6f712f-0901-52f4-bfd7-fc340416200d.html | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> This bid included plans for a $50 million domed stadium that was designed by the architects of the [[Astrodome]] and had a capacity of 45,000.<ref>{{cite book | last=York | first=N. | title=New York Court of Appeals. Records and Briefs.: 67 NY2D 257, APPELLANTS REPLY BRIEF part , KENFORD COMPANY INC AND DOME STADIUM INC V COUNTY OF ERIE | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kL3dbRYccdoC&pg=PA3247 | access-date=August 23, 2022 | page=3247}}</ref> Buffalo was one of five finalists for the [[1969 Major League Baseball expansion]], but franchises were awarded to the [[Montreal Expos]] and [[San Diego Padres]] in May 1968.<ref name="warts" />

[[Erie County, New York|Erie County]] went on to modify the planned domed stadium to accommodate the [[Buffalo Bills]], approving its construction as a 60,000-seat [[American football|football]] venue in [[Lancaster, New York|Lancaster]] that could also host baseball.<ref>{{cite web | title=COUNTY PAYS $10 MILLION TO COTTRELL LONG FIGHT OVER DOME DRAWS TO A CONCLUSION | website=Buffalo News | date=September 28, 1989 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/county-pays-10-million-to-cottrell-long-fight-over-dome-draws-to-a-conclusion/article_68ccdc35-fa40-5ae0-ae3b-ba3afbfc88c8.html | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> However, bids for the stadium in 1970 came in [[over budget]], and the project stalled. Bills owner [[Ralph Wilson]] threatened to move the Bills if action was not taken to replace the aging War Memorial Stadium, forcing Erie County to abandon the domed stadium in favor of building open-air [[Highmark Stadium (New York)|Rich Stadium]] in [[Orchard Park, New York|Orchard Park]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ezMsAAAAIBAJ&pg=4930,2267693|title=Herald-Journal - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/08/05/nyregion/erie-county-loses-dome-suit.html|title=Erie County Loses Dome Suit|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 5, 1984}}</ref> Major League Baseball had planned on relocating the struggling [[Texas Rangers (baseball)#Washington Senators (1961–1971)|Washington Senators]] franchise to Buffalo, but when the domed stadium wasn't built it instead became the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Gallivan | first=Peter | title=Unknown Stories of WNY: A parade of plans, a look back at Bills stadium proposals of the past | website=wgrz.com | date=January 11, 2022 | url=https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/local/unknown-stories/unknown-stories-of-wny-a-parade-of-plans-a-look-back-at-buffalo-bills-stadium-proposals-of-the-past/71-023bcf01-8e93-4c51-9e7c-4bf1a2972a71 | access-date=June 11, 2022}}</ref> The Buffalo Bisons moved mid-season in 1970 and became the [[Winnipeg Whips]], leaving Buffalo without professional baseball.<ref>{{cite web | last=Bailey | first=Budd | title=This Day in Buffalo Sports History, June 4, 1970: Buffalo loses Bisons baseball | website=Buffalo News | date=June 4, 2011 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/this-day-in-buffalo-sports-history-june-4-1970-buffalo-loses-bisons-baseball/article_76c8807d-c4b6-5a04-9d4e-8ce86f74e848.html | access-date=August 23, 2022}}</ref>

===Planning and construction, 1978–1987===
[[File:DOWNTOWN BUFFALO LOOKING NORTH - NARA - 549477 (restored).tif|thumb|left|An aerial view of [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]] when the blocks that became the venue's land were largely [[parking lots]], July 1973]]

Mayor [[James D. Griffin]] and an investment group purchased the [[Jersey City A's]] of the [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] class [[Eastern League (1938–2020)|Eastern League]] for $55,000 in 1978, and the team began play as the [[Buffalo Bisons]] at [[War Memorial Stadium (Buffalo, New York)|War Memorial Stadium]] in 1979.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moritz |first1=Amy |title=Buffalo's downtown ballpark: The house that Jimmy built |url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/professional/buffalos-downtown-ballpark-the-house-that-jimmy-built/article_d0fa6e07-40ef-58ae-9a54-19a1a5db0a2c.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=July 14, 2017}}</ref> This new franchise assumed the history of prior Buffalo Bisons teams that had played in the city from 1877 to 1970. [[Rich Products]] heir [[Robert E. Rich Jr.]] purchased the Bisons for $100,000 in 1983, and upgraded the team to the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] class [[American Association (1902–1997)|American Association]] in 1985 after buying out the [[Wichita Aeros]] for $1 million.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-09-06-sp-1717-story.html |title=A Major League Effort for Buffalo |date=September 6, 1988 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/451794970/|title=The Daily Oklahoman from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 8, 1984 · 72|website=Newspapers.com|date=September 8, 1984 }}</ref> The Bisons began drawing record crowds with promotional tie-ins, most notably annual post-game [[concerts]] by [[The Beach Boys]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Class | first=Induction | title=Robert E. Rich Jr. – Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame | website=Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame – Honoring men and women who have contributed to the welfare of amateur and professional sports in Greater Buffalo by performance, time, effort and/or financial support | date=August 3, 2012 | url=https://www.buffalosportshallfame.com/member/robert-e-rich-jr/ | access-date=April 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Geller | first=Kathryn | title=BEACH BOYS AND BISONS ARE A SUMMER TRADITION | website=Buffalo News | date=June 25, 1989 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/beach-boys-and-bisons-are-a-summer-tradition/article_765a362a-98e8-5a96-bee1-a61fcd7cd86d.html | access-date=April 1, 2022}}</ref>

Strong political support grew to replace the aging War Memorial Stadium with what was originally known as '''Downtown Buffalo Sports Complex'''.<ref>{{cite news | title=Hoyt Organizes Stadium Support | newspaper=Island Dispatch |location=Grand Island, N.Y. | via=NYS Historic Newspapers | date=September 6, 1985 | page=21 | issn=0892-2497 | url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn87000201/1985-09-06/ed-1/seq-21/ | access-date=May 29, 2022}}</ref> The City of Buffalo originally hired HOK Sport to design a $90 million domed stadium with a capacity of 40,000 on 13 acres of land, but the project was scaled back after [[New York State]] only approved $22.5 million in funding instead of the $40 million requested.<ref name="Archives 1987">{{cite news | agency=[[United Press International]] | title=Buffalo Is Building a Baseball Park | newspaper=Los Angeles Times | date=May 31, 1987 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-05-31-sp-9459-story.html | access-date=April 11, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Roth |first1=Stephen |title=By design, they push limits of creativity |url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/1999/04/12/No-Topic-Name/By-Design-They-Push-Limits-Of-Creativity.aspx |website=sportsbusinessdaily.com |publisher=Sports Business Journal |date=April 12, 1999}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/08/nyregion/buffalo-s-efforts-for-domed-stadium-are-dealt-a-new-blow.html|title=Buffalo's Efforts for Domed Stadium Are Dealt a New Blow|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 8, 1984}}</ref> A separate athletic facility to service the City Campus of [[SUNY Erie|Erie Community College]] was part of the proposed complex, and was eventually built several years later as the [[Burt Flickinger Center]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Jamnes A. | last=Welch | title=Still In Limbo! City's Athletic Facility | newspaper=SUNY Erie Community College Student Voice | location=Buffalo, N.Y. | via=NYS Historic Newspapers | date=November 14, 1989 | page=6 | issn= | url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/np00240001/1989-11-14/ed-1/seq-6/| access-date=May 29, 2022}}</ref>

St. John's [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal]] Church originally occupied what would become the venue's land at the corner of Washington Street and Swan Street, and Randall's Boarding House originally occupied the adjacent lot on Swan Street. [[Mark Twain]] famously was a resident of the [[boarding house]] while editor of the ''[[Buffalo Courier-Express|Buffalo Express]]''.<ref>{{cite web | title=NEW STUDY INDICATES TWAIN LIVED ON THE LINE IN PILOT FIELD | website=Buffalo News | date=July 22, 1989 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/new-study-indicates-twain-lived-on-the-line-in-pilot-field/article_a2c23518-2be0-5079-8cd9-a1d73dc1ab91.html | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=THE CITY TWAIN KNEW FUND-RAISER CELEBRATES AUTHOR'S LIFE | website=Buffalo News | date=August 14, 2002 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/the-city-twain-knew-fund-raiser-celebrates-authors-life/article_e7d59238-a36e-5254-abcc-f749fca00582.html | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> Constructed between 1846 and 1848, the church remained in use until 1893 and was demolished in 1906.<ref name="heritagepress">{{cite web|title=Ellsworth Statler in Buffalo|url=http://wnyheritagepress.org/photos_week_2007/statler/hotel/statler_hotel.htm|publisher=Western New York Heritage Press, Inc.|year=2007|access-date=February 20, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018041624/http://wnyheritagepress.org/photos_week_2007/statler/hotel/statler_hotel.htm|archive-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Cichon | first=Steve | title=From 1880 to Today: View from St. Paul's Cathedral, 1870 | website=Buffalo News | date=September 12, 2018 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/local/history/from-1880-to-today-view-from-st-paul-s-cathedral-1870/article_95d1b11f-35cd-5f8a-b22b-8aa22c7de74a.html | access-date=August 23, 2022}}</ref>
The land then became the site of [[Ellsworth Statler]]'s first hotel, [[Statler Hotels|Hotel Statler]], in 1907.<ref name="heritagepress" /> It was later renamed Hotel Buffalo after Statler built a new hotel on [[Niagara Square]] in 1923 and sold his former location. Hotel Buffalo was demolished in 1968, and the land became a [[parking lot]]. The City of Buffalo would later acquire the land through [[eminent domain]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2016/09/12/eminent-domain-played-role-in-buffalo-stadium.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624115309/http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2016/09/12/eminent-domain-played-role-in-buffalo-stadium.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 24, 2017|title=Eminent domain played a roll in the development of two Buffalo sporting facilities - Buffalo Business First|website=www.bizjournals.com}}</ref>

HOK Sport (now known as [[Populous (company)|Populous]]) designed the downtown venue as the first [[Baseball park#Retro-classic ballparks|retro-classic ballpark]] in the world.<ref name="RKingston">{{cite news |title=Buffalo Among the "Top Ten Places for a Baseball Pilgrimage"|first=Rachel|last=Kingston|url=http://www.wben.com/Buffalo-Among-the--Top-Ten-Places-for-a-Baseball-P/6724755|work=[[WBEN (AM)|WBEN]]|location=Buffalo|date=April 4, 2010|access-date=April 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408235729/http://www.wben.com/Buffalo-Among-the--Top-Ten-Places-for-a-Baseball-P/6724755|archive-date=April 8, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The open-air venue was designed to incorporate architecture from the neighboring [[Joseph Ellicott Historic District]], most notably the [[Ellicott Square Building]] and [[Old Post Office (Buffalo, New York)|Old Post Office]].<ref>{{cite web | title=PILOT FIELD | website=Buffalo News | date=February 19, 1995 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/pilot-field/article_143f17ec-eaf4-544e-ac68-1a0912b470d2.html | access-date=June 4, 2022}}</ref> The venue's exterior would be constructed from [[precast concrete]], featuring arched [[window]] openings at the [[mezzanine]] level, [[Rustication (architecture)|rusticated]] joints, and inset [[marble]] panels.<ref>{{cite web | last=Garrity | first=John | title=THE NEWEST LOOK IS OLD | website=Sports Illustrated Vault | date=October 12, 1987 | url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1987/10/12/the-newest-look-is-old-buffalos-new-ballpark-is-so-modern-its-traditional | access-date=April 8, 2022}}</ref> Located close to [[Buffalo Memorial Auditorium]] and along the newly built [[Buffalo Metro Rail]], the venue would be an attractive and accessible destination for suburban residents.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hamilton |first1=Emily |title=Want More Housing? Ending Single-Family Zoning Won't Do It. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-29/to-add-housing-zoning-code-reform-is-just-a-start |website=bloomberg.com |publisher=Bloomberg |date=July 29, 2020}}</ref> The same design firm would later bring this concept to Major League Baseball with [[Oriole Park at Camden Yards]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kirst |first1=Sean |title=Sean Kirst: Buffalo's Pilot Field, an urban ballpark vision that swept nation |url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/professional/sean-kirst-buffalos-pilot-field-an-urban-ballpark-vision-that-swept-nation/article_4edd41bb-12c2-5691-8a16-c2ad92bdb93d.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=April 12, 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Pilot Field under construction.jpg|thumb|left|A view of the venue's construction from Exchange Street parking ramp, December 1987]]

The [[baseball field]] itself would feature a [[Kentucky Bluegrass]] playing surface and have dimensions that were designed to mirror those of [[Glossary of baseball (P)#pitcher's park|pitcher-friendly]] [[Kauffman Stadium|Royals Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web | last=DiCesare | first=Bob | title=Buffalo's stadium set baseball standard | website=Buffalo News | date=July 9, 2012| url=https://buffalonews.com/news/buffalos-stadium-set-baseball-standard/article_839a90bb-cacf-5abb-aab0-0ed5aefc84a6.html | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> Buffalo Bisons management insisted the field have deep fences after War Memorial Stadium acquired a poor reputation for allowing easy [[home runs]].<ref>{{cite web | last=DiCesare | first=Bob | title=HOW THE BISONS GOT THEIR GROOVE BACK | website=Buffalo News | date=April 5, 1999 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/how-the-bisons-got-their-groove-back/article_6e60cd3e-1d40-5d52-8993-8d598335411b.html | access-date=June 9, 2022}}</ref> [[Roger Bossard]], head [[groundskeeper]] of [[Comiskey Park]], served as consultant for the project.<ref name="SportsTurf 1988">{{cite web | last= | first= | title=Attendance Doubles In New Buffalo Stadium | website=SportsTurf Magazine | date=July 27, 1988| url=https://sturf.lib.msu.edu/article/1988jul27.pdf | access-date=June 4, 2022}}</ref>

The venue broke ground in July 1986, with [[structural engineering]] handled by Geiger Associates, and Cowper Construction Management serving as [[general contractor]].<ref>{{cite web | title=From the archives: Pilot Field | website=Buffalo News | date=March 2, 2019 | url=https://buffalonews.com/multimedia/from-the-archives-pilot-field/collection_b178d567-3921-5bfb-8377-ae09631c5056.html | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Architectural Record">{{cite web | title=Field of dreams, November 1989 | website=Architectural Record | url=https://www.architecturalrecord.com/ext/resources/archives/backissues/1989-11.pdf?625899600 | access-date=April 11, 2022}}</ref> It was originally built with a [[seating capacity]] of 19,500, which at the time made it the third-largest stadium in [[Minor League Baseball]].<ref name="RKingston" />{{sfn|Buffalo Bisons Media Guide|2019|p=133}} This included a [[club seating|club level]] with seating for 3,500 and 38 [[luxury suites]], [[general admission]] [[bleacher]] seating for 1,130 in [[right field]], and a 250-seat restaurant with city and field views on the [[mezzanine]] level.<ref name="SportsTurf 1988" /><ref name="Architectural Record" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Howard |author-link = Howard Kurtz | title=AMERICAN JOURNAL |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1989/09/06/american-journal/c12f0185-51a9-4725-82c2-44736aa221fd/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 6, 1989}}</ref> [[Rich Products]] already owned and operated local restaurants under their B.R. Guest brand, and they assumed operation of the venue's restaurant and [[concession stand|concessions]].<ref>{{cite web | last1=Baldwin | first1=Richard E. | last2=Lowery | first2=Arch | last3=Herbeck | first3=Dan | title=PILOT FIELD FOOD OPERATORS LAUNCH DINING-SPORTS COMPLEX | website=Buffalo News | date=November 15, 1994 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/pilot-field-food-operators-launch-dining-sports-complex/article_4ec4b83e-d194-50d6-a4fc-a38fe09b29b5.html | access-date=April 11, 2022}}</ref>

The $42.4 million venue was mainly paid for with public funding. $22.5 million came from New York State, $12.9 million came from the City of [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]], $4.2 million came from Erie County, and $2.8 million came from the Buffalo Bisons.<ref name="jewel">{{cite news |last1=Rodgers |first1=Kim |title=Oh, how Buffalo loves its jewel: City trying in earnest to get big-league club |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20002834/the-indianapolis-news/ |work=The Indianapolis News |date=June 11, 1988 | page= B-2 | via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The New York State funding was contingent on the Bisons signing a 20-year lease with the City of Buffalo for use of the venue, which they did just prior to [[groundbreaking]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Fairbanks | first=Phil | title=BISONS PLAYING HARDBALL BALLPARK LEASE COSTS TAXPAYERS AS TEAM PROSPERS | website=Buffalo News | date=April 4, 2000 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/bisons-playing-hardball-ballpark-lease-costs-taxpayers-as-team-prospers/article_29cbf8ce-ff3d-52e1-8318-34648178d87e.html | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> The City of Buffalo and Erie County paid an additional $14 million for the construction of [[parking garages]] to service the venue and other downtown businesses.<ref name="jewel" />

A planned second phase of construction was a seating expansion contingent on Buffalo acquiring a [[Major League Baseball]] franchise. The original design by HOK Sport called for a third deck to be added in place of the roof, expanding the venue's capacity from 19,500 to 40,000. In May 1987, it was estimated this expansion could be completed within one offseason at a cost of $15 million.<ref name="Archives 1987" />

===Opening and reception, 1988–1989===
{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=300
| align = right
| image1 = Master-pnp-highsm-52600-52608a.tif
| image2 = Master-pnp-highsm-52500-52591a.tif
| image3 = Master-pnp-highsm-53200-53201a.tif
| footer = Aerial views of the venue, August 2018
}}

Opening Day of the venue's inaugural season took place on April 14, 1988, and saw the [[Buffalo Bisons]] defeat the [[Denver Zephyrs]] 1–0.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harrington |first1=Mike |title=There's No Place Like Home, Baseball in Buffalo Celebrates 10 Years at its Downtown Location |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/theres-no-place-like-home-baseball-in-buffalo-celebrates-10-years-at-its-downtown-location/article_167be92b-3ca2-5eeb-8a03-d9e048fc0c4f.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=March 31, 1997}}</ref> [[Bob Patterson (baseball)|Bob Patterson]] of the Bisons threw the first pitch against [[Billy Bates (baseball)|Billy Bates]], and the lone score came from a [[Tom Prince (baseball)|Tom Prince]] [[home run]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Harrington | first=Mike | title=Opening Day memories: April 14 is a special day in Bisons history | website=Buffalo News | date=April 14, 2016 | url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/professional/opening-day-memories-april-14-is-a-special-day-in-bisons-history/article_e1838d40-6160-5cb2-ae26-ce571e450c9c.html | access-date=April 1, 2022}}</ref> [[Pam Postema]], the first female [[Umpire (baseball)|umpire]] in the history of professional baseball, officiated the game.<ref name="cuomo">{{Cite web|url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/mario-cuomo/|title = Mario Cuomo – Society for American Baseball Research}}</ref> Prior to the event, [[The Oak Ridge Boys]] performed "[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]" and both Mayor [[James D. Griffin]] and Governor [[Mario Cuomo]] threw [[ceremonial first pitch]]es.<ref name="cuomo" /><ref>{{cite web | last=Campbell | first=Jon | title=Gov. Andrew Cuomo, defying history, hasn't thrown a first pitch. Is this the year? | website=New York State Team | date=July 23, 2020 | url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/politics/albany/2020/07/23/ny-gov-andrew-cuomo-first-pitch-baseball/5475553002/ | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref>

The formal dedication of the venue took place on May 21, 1988, prior to the Buffalo Bisons defeating the [[Syracuse Mets|Syracuse Chiefs]] in an interleague [[Triple-A Alliance]] game by a score of 6–5. [[Larry King]] threw the [[ceremonial first pitch]] and sat in on commentary with [[WBEN (AM)|WBEN]] broadcasters [[Pete Weber (sportscaster)|Pete Weber]] and [[John Murphy (sportscaster)|John Murphy]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Bisons mourn passing of Larry King, who was set to join their MLB ownership group | website=The Buffalo News | date=January 23, 2021 | url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/bisons-mourn-passing-of-larry-king-who-was-set-to-join-their-mlb-ownership-group/article_cab455fc-5da2-11eb-83d4-9f03bad0dedd.html | access-date=July 24, 2021}}</ref>

In their first year at the venue after moving from War Memorial Stadium, the Buffalo Bisons broke the all-time record for [[Minor League Baseball]] attendance by drawing 1,186,651&nbsp;fans during the 1988 season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Buffalo Bisons Set Minor League Attendance Mark|agency=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-08-20-sp-568-story.html|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=August 20, 1988|access-date=May 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517132448/http://articles.latimes.com/1988-08-20/sports/sp-568_1_minor-league|archive-date=May 17, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The team had capped [[season ticket]] sales at 9,000 seats to ensure that individual game tickets would be available.<ref>{{cite news | title=BUFFALO MAKES MAJOR LEAGUE EFFORT | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=September 5, 1988 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1988/09/05/buffalo-makes-major-league-effort/3347fdc2-b95d-4cd8-bd34-2d6a29bb54aa/ | access-date=May 26, 2022}}</ref>

The inaugural Build New York Award was given to Cowper Construction Management by the General Building Contractors of New York State for their work on the venue.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ciminelli Cowper Co. Gets 'Build New York' Award |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/ciminelli-cowper-co-gets-build-new-york-award/article_d59c8745-bed9-513d-8e9c-84aee7b3f293.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=April 27, 1990}}</ref>

The venue was lauded by mainstream media outlets, including feature stories by ''[[Newsday]]'', ''[[New York Daily News]]'', ''[[San Francisco Examiner]]'', ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'', ''[[The New York Times Magazine]]'' and ''[[Vancouver Sun]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Warner |first1=Gene |title=National Media Anything But Cool To Buffalo Baseball's 'Hot' Status Swirl of Coverage Boosts Scouting Report, Big-League Hopes for City |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/national-media-anything-but-cool-to-buffalo-baseballs-hot-status-swirl-of-coverage-boosts-scouting/article_d65436d6-2347-5de6-9258-ede8fd619c6c.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=August 23, 1989}}</ref> Eric Brazil wrote in his ''San Francisco Examiner'' column that the venue, "just may be baseball's prototype for the 1990s and beyond".<ref>{{cite news |title=And Here's The Pitch |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/and-heres-the-pitch/article_1440c25e-1f1e-55a6-af23-1f9cdbca9860.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=August 11, 1989}}</ref>

Pete McMartin wrote fondly of the venue in his June 1989 article for the ''Vancouver Sun'', contrasting it with the recently opened [[Rogers Centre|SkyDome]] in Toronto:

{{blockquote|It was a matter of philosophy. Toronto built an edifice: Buffalo embraced an idea. Toronto elevated technology over the game: Buffalo honored the past. Buffalo ended up with the better ballpark. It may be the best ballpark built since the construction of the game's holy triumvirate – [[Wrigley Field|Wrigley]], [[Fenway Park|Fenway]] and [[Tiger Stadium (Detroit)|Briggs]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=McMartin |first1=Pete |title=Buffalo ball park shames Skydome |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/495267949/ |work=The Vancouver Sun |date=5 June 1989}}</ref>}}

===MLB preparation and seating expansion, 1990–1995===
[[File:Fabio appearing during StarGaze 1993 at Pilot Field.jpg|thumb|left|[[Bleacher]] expansion as seen in [[right field]] behind [[Fabio Lanzoni]], June 1993]]

In anticipation of Buffalo being awarded a major league franchise, [[Robert E. Rich Jr.]] began establishing minor league [[farm team]]s for the [[Buffalo Bisons]] organization. Rich Jr. acquired the [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] [[Wichita Pilots]] and founded the [[Class A Short Season]] [[Niagara Falls Rapids]].<ref>{{cite web | title=The Odessa American from Odessa, Texas on October 12, 1988 · 25 | website=Newspapers.com | date=October 12, 1988 | url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/300252005/ | access-date=March 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Baldwin | first=Richard | title=IT'S 'PLAY BALL!' AS NIAGARA FALLS RAPIDS BEAT PIRATES IN SAL MAGLIE STADIUM DEBUT | website=Buffalo News | date=June 17, 1989 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/its-play-ball-as-niagara-falls-rapids-beat-pirates-in-sal-maglie-stadium-debut/article_e96d9abb-d496-55fb-915f-81b300f3cfa8.html | access-date=March 28, 2022}}</ref> He renamed Wichita's team to the Wranglers and planned to upgrade their franchise to Triple-A upon the Bisons joining [[Major League Baseball]].<ref>{{cite web | title=As Fans Flock to Big Time Stadium, Buffalo Takes Aim at Big Leagues | website=The New York Times | date=June 20, 1989 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/20/sports/as-fans-flock-to-big-time-stadium-buffalo-takes-aim-at-big-leagues.html | access-date=March 28, 2022}}</ref>

The proposed seating expansion to accommodate Major League Baseball was revised by [[Populous (company)|HOK Sport]] to preserve the aesthetic of the roof, which would now be kept and raised to cover a third deck. In this new design, less seating would be built on the third deck, and instead a new [[right field]] seating structure would be built in front of the Exchange Street [[parking ramp]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Collison |first1=Kevin |last2=Hammersley |first2=Margaret |title=Bisons Unveil Plans To Increase Pilot Field Capacity To 41,530 Upper Tier Would Be Added, Bleachers Converted |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/bisons-unveil-plans-to-increase-pilot-field-capacity-to-41-530-upper-tier-would-be/article_c635a0ed-9c50-51ee-8250-8ee5e078ee30.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=November 30, 1989}}</ref> In addition, expanded [[bleachers]] would be added in right field that could later be converted to permanent seating. Capacity after this expansion would increase from 19,500 to 41,530 at a cost of $30 million, but unlike the earlier design would take longer than a single offseason to complete.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Cardinale | first1=Anthony | last2=Collison | first2=Kevin | last3=Raeke | first3=Carolyn | title=NEW PLAN DOUBLES STADIUM EXPANSION COST | website=Buffalo News | date=December 1, 1989 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/new-plan-doubles-stadium-expansion-cost/article_ef59a8e1-db9a-5b49-9b99-0b5560ee12ed.html | access-date=April 11, 2022}}</ref> Prior to the 1990 season, 1,400 [[bleacher]] seats and a [[standing-room only]] area within the third-base mezzanine were added at a cost of $1.34 million, increasing the stadium's capacity from 19,500 to 21,050.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Heaney |first1=James |last2=Turner |first2=Douglas |title=Pilot Field Expansion Clears Council Vote Also Backs Architectural Study of Facility Next To War Memorial Site |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/pilot-field-expansion-clears-council-vote-also-backs-architectural-study-of-facility-next-to-war/article_d5a1789d-7899-5e3b-be91-bbce8c21ed4b.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=January 17, 1990}}</ref>{{sfn|Buffalo Bisons Media Guide|2019|p=134}}

In September 1990, [[Bob Rich Jr.]] attempted to buy the [[Montreal Expos]] for $100 million and move the team to Buffalo, but owner [[Charles Bronfman]] declined his offer.<ref name="BigLeague1992">{{cite news |last1=Felser |first1=Larry | author-link=Larry Felser | title=Rich Says Battle to Obtain Big League Franchise Isn't Over |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/rich-says-battle-to-obtain-big-league-franchise-isnt-over/article_30a04d0f-8ced-58c9-85be-173d7c35644f.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=August 16, 1992}}</ref> That same month, Rich Jr. and his investment group presented their bid for a Buffalo expansion franchise to the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] Expansion Committee.<ref>{{cite news |title=Summer Ends at Pilot Field; Rich's Investor Group Buoys Big League Quest |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/summer-ends-at-pilot-field-richs-investor-group-buoys-big-league-quest/article_cc5e61f5-c91a-590e-a20c-881a80e217de.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=September 6, 1990}}</ref> Members of this investment group included [[Jeremy Jacobs]], [[Larry King]], [[Northrup R. Knox]], [[Robert G. Wilmers]], [[Robert O. Swados]] and [[Seymour H. Knox III]].<ref>{{cite web | title=14 CO-INVESTORS, RICHES SHARE A TEAM SPIRIT | website=Buffalo News | date=December 19, 1990 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/14-co-investors-riches-share-a-team-spirit/article_b215e689-dd87-51be-9f17-5d656ae8a267.html | access-date=April 12, 2022}}</ref> It was reported that the investment group was prepared to fund $134 million in private capital required for expansion, which included the $95 million [[franchise fee]] and initial operating costs.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Besecker | first1=Aaron | last2=Heaney | first2=James | last3=Allen | first3=Carl | title=BASEBALL COST GOING OUT OF SIGHT TAXPAYERS FACE PAYING BIG SHARE OF $230 MILLION | website=Buffalo News | date=December 9, 1990 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/baseball-cost-going-out-of-sight-taxpayers-face-paying-big-share-of-230-million/article_b6444546-c5dd-5135-9fa8-36b41a7c628f.html | access-date=April 12, 2022}}</ref> The largest share of the financial burden would fall on Rich Jr., who pledged a minimum of $10 million cash and the equity in his three minor league teams. Rich Jr. publicly voiced concerns in December 1990 that without a [[salary cap]] and [[revenue sharing]], he would have to raise ticket prices to unaffordable levels while being unable to produce a competitive on-field product.<ref>{{cite web | last=DiCesare | first=Bob | title=PAINFUL TRUTH STARING AT RICH: BUFFALO'S MARKET IS TOO SMALL | website=Buffalo News | date=March 23, 1991 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/painful-truth-staring-at-rich-buffalos-market-is-too-small/article_f53a2ba2-b361-5aa5-857f-08a17961706b.html | access-date=April 10, 2022}}</ref> 27,000 major league [[season ticket]] commitments were made by April 1991, consisting of 18,000 paid seat deposits and 9,000 complimentary deposits awarded to the existing Bisons season ticket holders.<ref>{{cite news | title=HIPP D.C. EXPANSION GROUP HAS ENOUGH MONEY FOR TEAM | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=April 24, 1991 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/04/24/hipp-dc-expansion-group-has-enough-money-for-team/973be53c-4f76-4e18-bce8-462caf09da87/ | access-date=May 27, 2022}}</ref> Buffalo was one of six finalists for the [[1993 Major League Baseball expansion]], but franchises were awarded to the [[Colorado Rockies]] and [[Florida Marlins]] in June 1991.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chass |first1=Murray |author-link = Murray Chass | title=Baseball Ready to Add Miami and Denver Teams |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/11/sports/baseball-ready-to-add-miami-and-denver-teams.html |work=The New York Times |date=June 11, 1991}}</ref> National League president [[Bill White (first baseman)|Bill White]] later confirmed that Rich Jr. publicly questioning the league's financial structure sunk his bid.<ref>{{cite book | last1=White | first1=B. |author-link = Bill White (first baseman) | last2=Mays | first2=W. | title=Uppity: My Untold Story About The Games People Play | publisher=Grand Central Publishing | year=2011 | isbn=978-0-446-56418-2 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bo6fbb8_-GsC&pg=PT176 | access-date=April 12, 2022 | page=176}}</ref>

In their fourth year at the stadium, the Buffalo Bisons once again broke the all-time record for Minor League Baseball attendance by drawing 1,240,951 fans during the 1991 season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bailey |first1=Budd |title=This Day in Buffalo Sports History: Packing them in |url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/this-day-in-buffalo-sports-history-packing-them-in/article_ae4ff0e0-31e6-5a58-aabb-3574fb1951bc.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=August 19, 2011}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin-left: 2em; width: 39%; font-size: 85%;" cellspacing="3"
|-
!colspan="4"|All-Time Minor League Baseball Attendance Records{{sfn|Buffalo Bisons Media Guide|2019|p=104}}
|-
|'''Rank'''||'''Team'''||'''Year'''||'''Attendance'''
|-
| 1.
| [[Buffalo Bisons]]
| 1991
| 1,240,951
|-
| 2.
| Buffalo Bisons
| 1988
| 1,186,651
|-
| 3.
| Buffalo Bisons
| 1990
| 1,174,358
|-
| 4.
| Buffalo Bisons
| 1992
| 1,134,488
|-
| 5.
| Buffalo Bisons
| 1989
| 1,132,183
|-
| 6.
| Buffalo Bisons
| 1993
| 1,079,620
|-
| 7.
| [[Louisville Redbirds]]
| 1983
| 1,052,438
|-
| 8.
| Buffalo Bisons
| 1994
| 982,493
|-
| 9.
| Buffalo Bisons
| 1995
| 951,080
|-
| 10.
| [[Sacramento River Cats]]
| 2001
| 901,214
|}

Rich Jr. offered to let the [[Montreal Expos]] finish their home schedule at the venue in September 1991 after [[Olympic Stadium (Montreal)|Olympic Stadium]] was damaged, but the team instead played their final 13 home games on the road.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Major League dream of Bob and Mindy Rich is, briefly, coming true | website=Buffalo News | date=August 9, 2020 | url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/the-major-league-dream-of-bob-and-mindy-rich-is-briefly-coming-true/article_6d49a710-d543-11ea-abb4-1bfd832cfcc3.html | access-date=April 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=BASEBALL; Home Unsafe, Expos Move | website=The New York Times | date=September 14, 1991 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/14/sports/baseball-home-unsafe-expos-move.html | access-date=April 24, 2022}}</ref>

In June 1992, Rich Jr. attempted to buy the [[San Francisco Giants]] and move the team to Buffalo, but owner [[Bob Lurie]] declined his offer. The proposed name for the team would have been the New York Giants of Buffalo, as the franchise had previously played as the [[History of the New York Giants (baseball)|New York Giants]] from 1885 to 1957 in New York City.<ref name="BigLeague1992" /> That same month, the City of Buffalo chose to exercise an [[escape clause]] and buy back $24.2 million in federal bonds they had earmarked for expanding the venue to accommodate Major League Baseball.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pilot Field Funds Eyed for Arena Plan Would Finance Sabres' New Home with $24 Million Raised to Expand Stadium |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/pilot-field-funds-eyed-for-arena-plan-would-finance-sabres-new-home-with-24-million/article_911bd9e5-fce2-560a-8759-d44ad7853d8d.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=February 22, 1992}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Griffin Rejects Shift of Pilot Field Funds to New Sports Arena Decision Called 'Slight Setback' |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/griffin-rejects-shift-of-pilot-field-funds-to-new-sports-arena-decision-called-slight-setback/article_178ba1e2-d0d8-563c-b6e6-dbf2d3769901.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=May 2, 1992}}</ref>

The 1988 to 1993 Buffalo Bisons seasons were the six highest-attended campaigns in [[Minor League Baseball]] history, with each season drawing over 1,000,000 fans.{{sfn|Buffalo Bisons Media Guide|2019|p=104}}

Prior to the 1994 season, a restaurant called Power Alley Pub was constructed under the bleachers in right-center field.<ref>{{cite web | last=Northrop | first=Milt | title=PILOT ISN'T A STADIUM STUCK IN 'PARK' FROM MENU TO MASCOT'S PAL, BISONS' HOME WILL HAVE DIFFERENT LOOK | website=Buffalo News | date=April 13, 1994 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/pilot-isnt-a-stadium-stuck-in-park-from-menu-to-mascots-pal-bisons-home-will/article_20af238c-bdc2-5233-844a-74f93446584d.html | access-date=April 22, 2022}}</ref> The restaurant provided seating with views of the field through the outfield wall.

Rich Jr. moved his [[Class A Short Season]] [[Niagara Falls Rapids]] after he was unable to secure repairs for the aging [[Sal Maglie Stadium]]. The team resumed play as the [[Jamestown Jammers]] in June 1994.<ref>{{cite web | last=Warner | first=Gene | title=IN A TALE OF TWO BASEBALL CITIES, FALLS' LOSS IS JAMESTOWN'S GAIN | website=Buffalo News | date=June 12, 1994 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/in-a-tale-of-two-baseball-cities-falls-loss-is-jamestowns-gain/article_4710e256-13b8-5117-90b1-bb04652aa896.html | access-date=March 28, 2022}}</ref>

In July 1994, Rich Jr. notified the Major League Baseball Expansion Committee that he was interested in pursuing a Buffalo expansion franchise.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DiCesare |first1=Bob |title=Despite Threat of Strike, Expansion Talk Surfacing |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/despite-threat-of-strike-expansion-talk-surfacing/article_d8bdeeaa-fb44-5eb6-9438-ca57cd201bee.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=July 16, 1994}}</ref> However, he would retract this notification the following month after the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike]] commenced.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaughan |first1=Mark |title=Rich Says No Thanks To Big Leagues Unrest, Economics Temper Present Interest of Herd Owner |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/rich-says-no-thanks-to-big-leagues-unrest-economics-temper-present-interest-of-herd-owner/article_c9b2f1a2-d186-5643-b858-9db5355a5ef9.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=August 12, 1994}}</ref> Buffalo was withdrawn as a candidate for the [[1998 Major League Baseball expansion]], and franchises were awarded to the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] and [[Tampa Bay Rays|Tampa Bay Devil Rays]] in March 1995.<ref>{{cite web | title=MLB expands to Phoenix and Tampa | website=UPI | date=March 9, 1995 | url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/03/09/MLB-expands-to-Phoenix-and-Tampa/9037794725200/ | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref>

Rich Jr. was offered an expansion franchise by the [[United Baseball League (proposed)|United Baseball League]] of Major League Baseball in November 1994 at a cost of $5 million, which would have played at the venue beginning with the 1996 season.<ref>{{cite web | last=DiCesare | first=Bob | title=RICH PLAYS WAIT-AND-SEE ON NEW LEAGUE | website=Buffalo News | date=November 2, 1994 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/rich-plays-wait-and-see-on-new-league/article_6d4c675c-0aca-52b4-9c47-9d7714ff2045.html | access-date=March 24, 2022}}</ref> However, franchises were awarded in February 1995 to [[Long Island]], Los Angeles, [[New Orleans]], [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]], Vancouver and [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] before the league folded without ever playing a game.<ref>{{cite web | title=THE UNITED BASEBALL LEAGUE UNVEILS ITS FRANCHISE PLAN | website=Sports Business Journal | date=February 15, 1995 | url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/1995/02/15/Leagues-Governing-Bodies/THE-UNITED-BASEBALL-LEAGUE-UNVEILS-ITS-FRANCHISE-PLAN.aspx | access-date=March 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last1=Wise | first1=A.N. | last2=Meyer | first2=B.S. | title=International Sports Law and Business | publisher=Springer Netherlands | issue=v. 1 | year=1997 | isbn=978-90-411-0977-4 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TnkuSogCVyIC&pg=PA636 | access-date=March 24, 2022 | page=636}}</ref>

The Buffalo Bisons considered sharing the venue with the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] for their [[1995 Toronto Blue Jays season|1995 season]], as the [[Ontario Labour Relations Board]] prohibited non-union [[replacement players]] from competing at [[Rogers Centre|SkyDome]] during the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Harrington | first=Mike | title=PILOT FIELD UNLIKELY SITE IF JAYS MUST MOVE GAMES | website=Buffalo News | date=January 21, 1995 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/pilot-field-unlikely-site-if-jays-must-move-games/article_9ac6148e-b041-59f2-bdb1-a5a946357b24.html | access-date=May 25, 2022}}</ref> The Blue Jays instead chose to play at their [[spring training]] home of [[TD Ballpark|Dunedin Stadium]], but the strike ended in April 1995 and the team returned to SkyDome.<ref>{{cite web | last=Sullivan | first=Paul | title=THE TORONTO BLUE JAYS MAY OPEN THE SEASON IN A 6,218-SEAT BALLPARK. IT'S OBVIOUS . . . | website=Chicago Tribune | date=March 26, 1995 | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-03-26-9503260347-story.html | access-date=May 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=BASEBALL STRIKE ENDS | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=April 3, 1995 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1995/04/03/baseball-strike-ends/b9949db1-116a-4a10-8c1c-24005f4d8a36/ | access-date=May 25, 2022}}</ref>

===Alterations and seating reduction, 1996–2019===
[[File:DunnTireParkSat.png|thumb|left|A satellite view of the venue with new outfield fence, circa 1996–2003]]

A new outfield fence was erected prior to the 1996 season at a cost of $50,000 so that the venue's playing surface mirrored the dimensions of [[Progressive Field|Jacobs Field]]. Left-center field was reduced from 384 feet to 371 feet, center field was reduced from 410 feet to 404 feet, right-center field was reduced from 384 feet to 367 feet, and the height of the center field fence was reduced from 15 feet to 8 feet. This change allowed the [[Cleveland Indians]], Buffalo's major league affiliate, to better evaluate their [[prospect (sports)|prospects]], while also making the park more [[Glossary of baseball (H)#hitter's park|hitter-friendly]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Fences Moving at North Americare Park This Summer |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/fences-moving-in-at-north-americare-park-this-summer/article_fbe9bc2c-8f72-567b-b29d-b9ca06c8e95a.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=December 19, 1995}}</ref>

The venue was home to the Buffalo Nighthawks of the [[Ladies Professional Baseball League]] before the league shut down mid-season in July 1998. The Nighthawks were in first place with an 11–5 record when the league folded, and were declared Eastern Division champions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Starosielec |first1=Mark |title=Gates Close On Women's Baseball |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/gates-close-on-womens-baseball/article_f61d7050-e676-5810-bfff-527cccbe0ddb.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=July 29, 1998}}</ref>

The park's original four-color [[dot matrix]] [[scoreboard]] in center field was retrofitted with a 38-foot wide by 19-foot tall [[Daktronics]] [[Light-emitting diode|LED]] video screen in 1999 at a cost of $1.2 million.<ref>{{cite web | last=Harrington | first=Mike | title=HERD WILL BE LIGHTING UP A NEW SCOREBOARD IN 1999 | website=Buffalo News | date=November 6, 1998 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/herd-will-be-lighting-up-a-new-scoreboard-in-1999/article_2ebe3fce-e87f-572e-8e0e-12be47af379a.html | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref>

The venue was home to the [[Buffalo Bulls baseball|Buffalo Bulls]] of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] in 2000.<ref>{{cite web | last=Graham | first=Tim | author-link = Tim Graham (sports journalist) | title=BASEBALL, SOFTBALL RETURN TO UB AFTER 13-YEAR HIBERNATION | website=Buffalo News | date=March 22, 2000 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/baseball-softball-return-to-ub-after-13-year-hibernation/article_e862dec8-7cf3-5449-afef-fe0165c2b77f.html | access-date=May 24, 2022}}</ref> The Bulls finished the season with a 12–35 record and moved to [[Amherst Audubon Field]] the following year.<ref>{{cite web | title=2017 UB Baseball Media Guide | website=Issuu | date=February 10, 2017 | url=https://issuu.com/buffalobulls/docs/2017_baseball_guide | access-date=May 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=May 10, 2001-Vol32n31: Sports Recap | website=University at Buffalo | date=May 10, 2001 | url=https://www.buffalo.edu/ubreporter/archive/vol32/vol32n31/sports.html | access-date=May 24, 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Sahlen Field - Toronto Blue Jays - 51325046520.jpg|thumb|right|Party Deck, July 2021]]

[[Major League Lacrosse]] staged an exhibition at the venue on August 11, 2000, as part of their Summer Showcase Tour.<ref>{{cite web | last=Borrelli | first=Tom | title=LACROSSE TOUR ROLLS INTO DUNN TIRE PARK | website=Buffalo News | date=August 11, 2000 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/lacrosse-tour-rolls-into-dunn-tire-park/article_ceb11c7d-6628-5c49-a171-4f7c2fbe9f2b.html | access-date=March 24, 2022}}</ref> [[Robert E. Rich Jr.]] planned to purchase a Major League Lacrosse franchise at a cost of $1 million to begin play at the venue in June 2001.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Borrelli | first1=Tom | last2=Bailey | first2=Budd | title=BUFFALO PLAYING THE WAITING GAME | website=Buffalo News | date=August 19, 2000 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/buffalo-playing-the-waiting-game/article_b9e3f801-5e88-5e89-96a3-09cdcb13465a.html | access-date=April 8, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Borrelli | first1=Tom | last2=Bailey | first2=Budd | title=NEW LEAGUE GEARING UP FOR BUFFALO | website=Buffalo News | date=May 13, 2000 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/new-league-gearing-up-for-buffalo/article_32cb1a8d-bbd3-5439-8673-565e363b81a4.html | access-date=March 28, 2022}}</ref> However, he withdrew support after determining that removing and replacing the [[pitcher's mound]] for lacrosse games would damage the field and put the Buffalo Bisons at a disadvantage.<ref>{{cite web | last=Harrington | first=Mike | title=INDIANS EXPECT TO RAID BISONS ROSTER ON SEPT. 1 | website=Buffalo News | date=August 12, 2000 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/indians-expect-to-raid-bisons-roster-on-sept-1/article_46b65285-09ae-5b2f-bccf-02ee3ee399e6.html | access-date=April 8, 2022}}</ref>

The 20-year lease between the Buffalo Bisons and City of Buffalo for use of the venue was renegotiated in January 2003, with the addition of funding from Erie County.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/off-season-wrap-up/n-1986034|title=Off-season Wrap-up|date=February 20, 2003|website=OurSports Central}}</ref>

Prior to the 2004 season, $5 million in renovations to the venue were completed, including removal of the stadium's right field [[bleachers]] and construction of a four-tier Party Deck in its place.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pignataro |first1=T.J. |title=Party Deck Helps Revive Spirit at BallPark's Opener |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/party-deck-helps-revive-spirit-at-ballparks-opener/article_84474ed0-d8c3-54ec-89bf-471f5cbb6079.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=April 17, 2004}}</ref> The removal of the bleachers decreased the stadium capacity from 21,050 to 18,025.{{sfn|Buffalo Bisons Media Guide|2019|p=137}}

A 4-foot wide by 8-foot tall [[digital billboard]] was installed on the corner of Washington Street and Swan Street before the 2007 season at a cost of $70,000.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Davis | first1=Henry L. | last2=Linstedt | first2=Sharon | title=Bisons to pitch the team's promotions with video billboard outside ballpark | website=Buffalo News | date=March 3, 1007 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/bisons-to-pitch-the-teams-promotions-with-video-billboard-outside-ballpark/article_31ccacca-4b0c-5002-91e7-a8712e4322df.html | access-date=March 30, 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Coca-Cola Field HD Scoreboard.JPG|thumb|left|Center field video screen, July 2015]]

The 20-year lease between the Buffalo Bisons and City of Buffalo for use of the venue expired following the 2008 season, and the city began offering year-to-year leases to the team thereafter.<ref>{{cite web | last=Williams | first=Deidre | title=City, Bisons agree to 3-year lease extension | website=Buffalo News | date=April 4, 2017 | url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/professional/city-bisons-agree-to-3-year-lease-extension/article_a16dc2ba-3d31-553b-b154-9db7cfa2f46e.html | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref>

The venue's [[luxury suites]] were consolidated and renovated beginning in 2010, reducing the total number from 38 to 26.<ref>{{cite web | title=Renovation Project Yields Suite Results | website=[[Minor League Baseball]] | date=February 1, 2012 | url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-26539442 | access-date=September 4, 2021}}</ref> A [[Luxury box|conference suite]] was constructed on the first-base side of the stadium at a cost of $250,000, and the year-round suite can accommodate business gatherings of up to 40 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2010/05/31/story9.html|title=Bringing the boardroom to the ballpark |first=James|last=Fink|work=Business First|date=May 26, 2010|access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref>

Prior to the 2011 season, the park's original scoreboard in center field was removed and replaced by an 80-foot wide by 33-foot tall Daktronics high-definition LED video screen at a cost $2.5 million.<ref>{{cite web|title=HD Scoreboard Highlights What's New|first=Blake|last=Arrington |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-17196810|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=March 30, 2011|access-date=May 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517114828/http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110330&content_id=17196810&vkey=pr_t422&fext=.jsp&sid=t422 |archive-date=May 17, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> That same year, a new $970,000 field drainage system and a new $750,000 field lighting system were added to the venue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2011/01/12/bisons-to-install-new-25m-videoboard.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124022408/http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2011/01/12/bisons-to-install-new-25m-videoboard.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 24, 2011|title=Bisons to install new $2.5M videoboard - Buffalo Business First|website=www.bizjournals.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Harrington |first1=Mike |title=Bisons getting HD scoreboard, new lights |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/bisons-getting-hd-scoreboard-new-lights/article_41cf1fb9-21b1-506d-880a-204e8e94a4bb.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=January 13, 2011}}</ref>

{{multiple image
 | align = right
 | direction = vertical
 | width = 200
 | header = 
 | image1 = Dunn Tire Park from I-190.jpg
 | alt1 = 
 | caption1 = A view of the venue and its seating bowl from [[Interstate 190 (New York)|I-190]], February 2006
 | image2 = Sahlen Field from I190.jpg
 | alt2 = 
 | caption2 = A view of the venue and its seating bowl from [[Interstate 190 (New York)|I-190]], June 2019
}}

The venue was one of six that played home to the [[Empire State Yankees]] of the International League in 2012. The team was forced to play at alternate sites that season as [[PNC Field]] was undergoing renovations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rochester puts out welcome mat for SWB Yankees |work=Ballpark Digest |date=April 18, 2012 |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/201204184745/minor-league-baseball/news/rochester-puts-out-welcome-mat-for-swb-yankees |access-date=June 8, 2022}}</ref> The Yankees finished the season with a 84–60 record and advanced to the International League playoffs.<ref>{{cite web | title=Yankees' | website=OurSports Central | date=September 8, 2012 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/yankees-road-warrior-season-falls-short-in-playoffs-with-3-1-series-loss-to-paw-sox/n-4486281 | access-date=August 25, 2022}}</ref>

$500,000 was spent in improvements to the venue before the 2014 season, including a new sound system and the installation of new LED message boards down both baselines.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bisons to Unveil New Message Boards, Sound System on Opening Day at Coca-Cola Field|first=Mike|last=Harrington|url=http://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2014/02/bisons-to-unveil-new-message-boards-sound-system-on-opening-day.html?ref=brp|newspaper=[[The Buffalo News]]|date=February 24, 2014|access-date=May 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517115004/http://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2014/02/bisons-to-unveil-new-message-boards-sound-system-on-opening-day.html?ref=brp|archive-date=May 17, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

A campaign to replace the park's original red seating with wider green seating began in 2014. The stadium's capacity was reduced from 18,025 to 17,600 when 3,700 seats were replaced prior to the 2015 season at a cost of $758,000.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bisons, City of Buffalo Announce Installation of New Seats in Special Reserved Sections|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-90886852|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=August 22, 2014|access-date=March 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421182643/http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140822&content_id=90886852&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_t422&sid=t422|archive-date=April 21, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Updated: Bisons to Replace 3,700 Seats As Phase I to 'overhaul' of Coca-Cola Field|first=Mike|last=Harrington|url=http://www.insidepitch.buffalonews.com/2014/08/22/bisons-plan-major-announcement-tonight-ballpark-renovations/|newspaper=[[The Buffalo News]]|date=August 22, 2014|access-date=March 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408051305/http://insidepitch.buffalonews.com/2014/08/22/bisons-plan-major-announcement-tonight-ballpark-renovations/|archive-date=April 8, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> 2,900 seats were replaced prior to the 2017 season, reducing capacity of the venue from 17,600 to 16,907.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bisons unveil 2017 schedule & announce Phase 2 of ballpark seating project|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-197054486|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=August 22, 2016|access-date=September 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002113618/http://buffalo.bisons.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20160822&content_id=197054486&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_t422&sid=t422|archive-date=October 2, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> 2,000 seats were replaced prior to the 2019 season, reducing capacity of the venue from 16,907 to 16,600.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2019/03/23/buffalo-bisons-freshen-the-ballpark-lineup-for.html|title=Buffalo Bisons freshen the ballpark lineup for 2019 |first=James|last=Fink|work=Business First|date=March 23, 2019|access-date=March 25, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Harrington | first=Mike | title=Plenty of new amenities around Sahlen Field, International League | website=Buffalo News | date=April 2, 2019 | url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/professional/plenty-of-new-amenities-around-sahlen-field-international-league/article_7937eccb-f8e7-5bde-87ac-abf0055dd243.html | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref>

Following the 2019 season, protective crowd netting was installed throughout the venue at a cost of $475,000 to meet Major League Baseball safety standards.<ref>{{cite web | title=Home of the Buffalo Bisons set to be spruced up | website=Buffalo News | date=April 5, 2022 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/local/home-of-the-buffalo-bisons-set-to-be-spruced-up/article_550129c0-b526-11ec-8b8a-777d3a221a8e.html | access-date=August 23, 2022}}</ref>

===MLB residency and renovation, 2020–2021===
[[File:Sahlen Field, Buffalo, New York, with Blue Jays branding and players warming up - August 2020.jpeg|thumb|left|A view of the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] warming up from Exchange Street parking ramp, August 2020]]

In June 2020, the Buffalo Bisons canceled their season at the venue due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Bisons will not play in 2020 as Minor League Baseball seasons are canceled |url=https://www.milb.com/buffalo/news/2020-bisons-season-canceled |website=[[Minor League Baseball]] |date=June 30, 2020}}</ref> The [[Toronto Blue Jays]], the Bisons' major league affiliate, announced the following month that they would play their [[2020 Toronto Blue Jays season|2020 season]] at the venue after the government of Canada denied them permission to play at [[Rogers Centre]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vera |first1=Amir |last2=Ly |first2=Laura |last3=De La Fuente |first3=Homero |title=Canada denies Toronto Blue Jays' request to play home games due to pandemic |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/18/us/canada-mlb-blue-jays-denied-spt-trnd/index.html |work=CNN |date=July 18, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Davidi |first1=Shi |title=Blue Jays to play majority of home games at Buffalo's Sahlen Field |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-play-home-games-buffalos-sahlen-field/ |website=Sportsnet.ca |date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> The venue's first Major League Baseball game took place on August 11, 2020, in which the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] defeated the [[Miami Marlins]] 5–4 in [[extra innings]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Davidi |first1=Shi |title=Blue Jays christen Buffalo home with walk-off win over Marlins |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-christen-buffalo-home-walk-off-win-marlins/ |website=Sportsnet.ca |date=August 11, 2020}}</ref> The Blue Jays finished the season with a 32–28 record, and advanced to the [[2020 American League Wild Card Series|American League Wild Card Series]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Toronto Blue Jays Team History & Encyclopedia | website=Baseball-Reference.com | date=May 23, 2022 | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TOR/index.shtml | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref>

Major League Baseball and the Blue Jays organization jointly funded renovations of the venue prior to the 2020 season at a cost of $5 million.<ref>{{cite web | last=Fink | first=James | title=What MLB personnel see near Sahlen Field: $340M in development | website=wgrz.com | date=September 22, 2020 | url=https://www.wgrz.com/article/money/economy/what-mlb-personnel-see-near-sahlen-field-340m-in-development/71-c03e9f87-77a6-4cb5-971b-46b3691cab11 | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> Permanent upgrades included installation of [[Light-emitting diode|LED]] field lighting, installation of [[Instant replay in Major League Baseball|instant replay]] technology, installation of [[Hawk-Eye]] for [[Statcast]] tracking, a resurfaced [[infield]], and relocation of the home [[Dugout (baseball)|dugout]] to the third-base side of the stadium. Temporary facilities designed for the postponed [[MLB at Field of Dreams]] game were also utilized.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harrington |first1=Mike |title=What has to be done to get Sahlen Field ready for MLB, Blue Jays |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/local/what-has-to-be-done-to-get-sahlen-field-ready-for-mlb-blue-jays/article_86a0b440-cdf7-11ea-aa8a-6bec5a218c23.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Zwelling | first=Arden | title=How Blue Jays transformed Sahlen Field into their temporary home | website=Sportsnet.ca | date=May 29, 2022 | url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-transformed-sahlen-field-temporary-home/ | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Sahlen Field Bullpens - Toronto Blue Jays.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bullpen]]s, July 2021]]

The Blue Jays used the venue for part of their [[2021 Toronto Blue Jays season|2021 season]] due to the ongoing pandemic, after having started the season at [[TD Ballpark]]. The Bisons accommodated this residency by temporarily relocating to [[Trenton Thunder Ballpark]] in [[Trenton, New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Bisons to begin 2021 season playing home games in Trenton, NJ | website=[[Minor League Baseball]] | date=May 30, 2022 | url=https://www.milb.com/news/bisons-temporary-home-relocation-trenton | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> The venue drew higher attendance for MLB home games than the [[Miami Marlins]], [[Oakland A's]] and [[Tampa Bay Rays]] drew at their own home venues.<ref>{{cite web | last=Hunter | first=Ian | title=Blue Jays games in Buffalo outdraw three other MLB teams in attendance - Offside | website=Daily Hive Vancouver | date=July 23, 2021 | url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/blue-jays-games-buffalo-mlb-teams-attendance | access-date=April 6, 2022}}</ref> The Blue Jays played 49 Major League Baseball games at the venue over the course of two seasons, tying [[Hiram Bithorn Stadium]] for the all-time record of most regular season games hosted by a non-home ballpark.<ref>{{cite web | last=Bisons | first=Buffalo | title=STMA names Sahlen Field 'Professional Baseball Field of the Year' | website=[[Minor League Baseball]] | date=January 17, 2022 | url=https://www.milb.com/news/sahlen-field-baseball-field-of-the-year | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129224515/https://www.milb.com/news/sahlen-field-baseball-field-of-the-year | url-status=dead | archive-date=November 29, 2021 | access-date=January 17, 2022}}</ref>

The Bisons and Blue Jays jointly funded additional renovations of the venue prior to the 2021 season. These permanent upgrades included the installation of new light standards, new [[batting cages]], new [[foul pole]]s, a resurfaced [[outfield]], and the relocation of both [[bullpen]]s from foul territory to right-center field.<ref>{{cite web | title=What's new at Sahlen Field for the Blue Jays | website=Buffalo News | date=June 1, 2021 | url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/whats-new-at-sahlen-field-for-the-blue-jays/article_692f998e-c302-11eb-a4f7-e795adc6b415.html | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> The renovated venue was named Professional Baseball Field of the Year in November 2021 by Sports Turf Managers Association.<ref>{{cite web | title=STMA names Sahlen Field 'Professional Baseball Field of the Year' | website=[[Minor League Baseball]] | date=November 29, 2021 | url=https://www.milb.com/news/sahlen-field-baseball-field-of-the-year | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129224515/https://www.milb.com/news/sahlen-field-baseball-field-of-the-year | url-status=dead | archive-date=November 29, 2021 | access-date=November 29, 2021}}</ref> The renovations were also nominated for Project of the Year at the 2021 Stadium Business Awards.<ref>{{cite web | title=#SBA21 AWARDS: 2021 Finalists Announced | website=TheStadiumBusiness Summit | date=October 27, 2021 | url=https://www.stadiumbusinesssummit.com/sba21-awards-2021-finalists-announced/ | access-date=November 12, 2021}}</ref>

===Fire and proposed renovations, 2023–present===

In September 2023, the venue sustained $600,000 in damage after a fire started in a mobile [[concession stand]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-01 |title=Sahlen Field fire causes $600K in damage; Bisons game will be played |url=https://www.wivb.com/sports/buffalo-bisons-sports/smoke-seen-rising-from-sahlen-field-facilities/ |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=News 4 Buffalo |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 1, 2023 |title=Bisons game will still be happening Friday night despite fire damages |url=https://www.wgrz.com/article/sports/baseball/bisons/sahlen-field-fire-will-not-cancel-friday-bisons-game/71-c0892e6c-7b2a-48f5-849a-28205553863c |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=wgrz.com |language=en-US}}</ref> 

The Buffalo Bisons hired a [[lobbying]] firm in November 2023 to seek funding from New York State for renovations that would improve the fan experience.<ref name="wgrz.com 2023 z794">{{cite web | title=Buffalo Bisons hire firm to push state to pay for renovations to the ballpark | website=wgrz.com | date=November 6, 2023 | url=https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/local/buffalo/buffalo-bisons-hire-local-lobbying-firm-wny-sports/71-80f1cc7a-1ccb-4906-8109-6c68d58f4170 | access-date=November 7, 2023}}</ref>

In March 2025, the Bisons announced that the venue would undergo an overhaul of the sound system, with the first phase of the project to be completed prior to the start of the 2025 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Capstream Technologies engaged by Buffalo Bisons to improve audio visual capabilities & audience experience at Sahlen Field |url=https://www.wnypapers.com/news/article/current/2025/03/10/162504/capstream-technologies-engaged-by-buffalo-bisons-to-improve-audio-visual-capabilities-audience-experience-at-sahlen-field |website=wnypapers.com |publisher=Niagara Frontier Publications |access-date=March 10, 2025 |date=March 10, 2025}}</ref>

===Naming rights===
{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=250
| align = left
| image1 = Dunn Tire Park 2007.jpg
| image2 = Coca-Cola Field.jpg
| image3 = Columbus Clippers at Buffalo Bisons - 20220828 - 01 - Stadium Exterior Wide-Angle from Across the Street.jpg
| footer = Clockwise from upper left: Dunn Tire Park, Coca-Cola Field, Sahlen Field
}}

Pilot Air Freight of [[Philadelphia]] purchased the 20-year naming rights to the venue in 1986.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pilot Air's revenues are flying high |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/167975354/ |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=June 29, 1987}}</ref> The stadium would be named Pilot Field in exchange for the company paying the City of Buffalo $51,000 on an annual basis.<ref name="PilotNameChange">{{cite news |last1=Bailey |first1=Budd |title=This Day in Buffalo Sports History, March 2, 1995: Pilot Field's name changed |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/this-day-in-buffalo-sports-history-march-2-1995-pilot-fields-name-changed/article_58ceb3b5-8a5e-511e-81ed-1f2d97b70420.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=March 2, 2011}}</ref> Their name was stripped from the venue by the City of Buffalo in March 1995 after Pilot Air Freight defaulted on payments.

The stadium was then known as Downtown Ballpark until July 1995, when local [[Health maintenance organization|HMO]] [[Excellus BlueCross BlueShield|North AmeriCare]] purchased the naming rights and the stadium became North AmeriCare Park ([[colloquialism|colloquially]] known as The NAP).<ref name="PilotNameChange" /><ref>{{cite web | title=IN ARENA OF IDEAS, THIS ONE'S A HARD ONE | website=Greensboro News and Record | date=May 18, 2022 | url=https://greensboro.com/in-arena-of-ideas-this-ones-a-hard-one/article_54ee61d9-1d02-5577-b29f-9b600595288d.html | access-date=May 28, 2022}}</ref> North AmeriCare agreed to pay the City of Buffalo $3.3 million over the course of 13 years.<ref name="DunnTire1999">{{cite news |last1=Fairbanks |first1=Phil |title=Dunn Tire is Looking to Pay Ballpark Figure of 2.5 Million |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/dunn-tire-is-looking-to-pay-ballpark-figure-of-2-5-million/article_2bc9ec83-a995-5dcd-8a41-6cd0495820da.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=May 4, 1999}}</ref> The Dunn Tire chain of tire outlets assumed North AmeriCare's remaining contract with the City of Buffalo in May 1999, and the venue became Dunn Tire Park.<ref name="DunnTire1999" />

[[Coca-Cola]] Bottling Company of Buffalo purchased the 10-year naming rights to the stadium in December 2008, and it was renamed Coca-Cola Field beginning with the 2009 season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Goodbye, Dunn Tire Park. Hello, Coca-Cola Field!|first=Mike |last=Harrington|url=http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/525364.html|newspaper=[[The Buffalo News]]|date=December 17, 2008|access-date=December 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203161859/http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/525364.html|archive-date=February 3, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Sahlen's]] purchased the 10-year naming rights to the stadium in October 2018, and it was renamed Sahlen Field beginning with the 2019 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sahlen Field – the new home of the Herd|url=https://www.milb.com/buffalo/news/sahlen-field-the-new-home-of-the-herd-297493492|access-date=October 9, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010011323/https://www.milb.com/buffalo/news/sahlen-field---the-new-home-of-the-herd/c-297493492|archive-date=October 10, 2018}}</ref>