:Sahlen Field

Buffalo began hosting professional baseball in 1877, when the Buffalo Bisons of the League Alliance began play at Riverside Park.{{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}} Over the next century, the city hosted major and minor league teams including the Buffalo Bisons (IA, 1878, 1887–1888), Buffalo Bisons (NL, 1879–1885), Buffalo Bisons (PL, 1890), and the Buffalo Blues (FL, 1914–1915). The longest-tenured franchise was the minor league Buffalo Bisons, which was founded in 1886 and played exclusively in the International League starting in 1912. This club played at Olympic Park until 1923, at which point that venue was demolished and replaced by Offermann Stadium.{{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}}

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 beginning with the 1961 season. However, the league folded before the season began.{{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}} 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.

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.{{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 | SI.com}}{{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}} 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.{{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}} 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.

Erie County went on to modify the planned domed stadium to accommodate the Buffalo Bills, approving its construction as a 60,000-seat football venue in Lancaster that could also host baseball.{{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}} 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 Rich Stadium in Orchard Park.{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ezMsAAAAIBAJ&pg=4930,2267693|title=Herald-Journal - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com}}{{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}} Major League Baseball had planned on relocating the struggling Washington Senators franchise to Buffalo, but when the domed stadium wasn't built it instead became the Texas Rangers.{{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}} The Buffalo Bisons moved mid-season in 1970 and became the Winnipeg Whips, leaving Buffalo without professional baseball.{{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}}

File:DOWNTOWN BUFFALO LOOKING NORTH - NARA - 549477 (restored).tif 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 class Eastern League for $55,000 in 1978, and the team began play as the Buffalo Bisons at War Memorial Stadium in 1979.{{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}} 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 class American Association in 1985 after buying out the Wichita Aeros for $1 million.{{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}}{{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 }} The Bisons began drawing record crowds with promotional tie-ins, most notably annual post-game concerts by The Beach Boys.{{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}}{{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}}

Strong political support grew to replace the aging War Memorial Stadium with what was originally known as Downtown Buffalo Sports Complex.{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} A separate athletic facility to service the City Campus of Erie Community College was part of the proposed complex, and was eventually built several years later as the Burt Flickinger Center.{{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}}

St. John's 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 Express.{{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}}{{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}} Constructed between 1846 and 1848, the church remained in use until 1893 and was demolished in 1906.{{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}}{{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}}

The land then became the site of Ellsworth Statler's first hotel, Hotel Statler, in 1907. 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.{{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}}

HOK Sport (now known as Populous) designed the downtown venue as the first retro-classic ballpark in the world.{{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|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}} 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.{{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}} The venue's exterior would be constructed from precast concrete, featuring arched window openings at the mezzanine level, rusticated joints, and inset marble panels.{{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}} 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.{{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}} The same design firm would later bring this concept to Major League Baseball with Oriole Park at Camden Yards.{{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}}

File:Pilot Field under construction.jpg

The baseball field itself would feature a Kentucky Bluegrass playing surface and have dimensions that were designed to mirror those of pitcher-friendly Royals Stadium.{{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}} Buffalo Bisons management insisted the field have deep fences after War Memorial Stadium acquired a poor reputation for allowing easy home runs.{{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}} Roger Bossard, head groundskeeper of Comiskey Park, served as consultant for the project.{{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}}

The venue broke ground in July 1986, with structural engineering handled by Geiger Associates, and Cowper Construction Management serving as general contractor.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{sfn|Buffalo Bisons Media Guide|2019|p=133}} This included a 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.{{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}} Rich Products already owned and operated local restaurants under their B.R. Guest brand, and they assumed operation of the venue's restaurant and concessions.{{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}}

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, $4.2 million came from Erie County, and $2.8 million came from the Buffalo Bisons.{{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}} 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.{{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}} 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.

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.

{{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.{{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}} Bob Patterson of the Bisons threw the first pitch against Billy Bates, and the lone score came from a Tom Prince home run.{{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}} Pam Postema, the first female umpire in the history of professional baseball, officiated the game.{{Cite web|url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/mario-cuomo/|title = Mario Cuomo – Society for American Baseball Research}} 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 pitches.{{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}}

The formal dedication of the venue took place on May 21, 1988, prior to the Buffalo Bisons defeating the 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 broadcasters Pete Weber and John Murphy.{{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}}

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 fans during the 1988 season.{{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}} The team had capped season ticket sales at 9,000 seats to ensure that individual game tickets would be available.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

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.{{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}} Eric Brazil wrote in his San Francisco Examiner column that the venue, "just may be baseball's prototype for the 1990s and beyond".{{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}}

Pete McMartin wrote fondly of the venue in his June 1989 article for the Vancouver Sun, contrasting it with the recently opened 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, Fenway and Briggs.{{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}}}}

File:Fabio appearing during StarGaze 1993 at Pilot Field.jpg 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 teams for the Buffalo Bisons organization. Rich Jr. acquired the Double-A Wichita Pilots and founded the Class A Short Season Niagara Falls Rapids.{{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}}{{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}} He renamed Wichita's team to the Wranglers and planned to upgrade their franchise to Triple-A upon the Bisons joining Major League Baseball.{{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}}

The proposed seating expansion to accommodate Major League Baseball was revised by 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.{{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}} 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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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.{{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}} That same month, Rich Jr. and his investment group presented their bid for a Buffalo expansion franchise to the National League Expansion Committee.{{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}} Members of this investment group included Jeremy Jacobs, Larry King, Northrup R. Knox, Robert G. Wilmers, Robert O. Swados and Seymour H. Knox III.{{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}} 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.{{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}} 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.{{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}} 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.{{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}} 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.{{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}} National League president Bill White later confirmed that Rich Jr. publicly questioning the league's financial structure sunk his bid.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

Rich Jr. offered to let the Montreal Expos finish their home schedule at the venue in September 1991 after Olympic Stadium was damaged, but the team instead played their final 13 home games on the road.{{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}}{{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}}

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 New York Giants from 1885 to 1957 in New York City. 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.{{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}}{{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}}

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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

In July 1994, Rich Jr. notified the Major League Baseball Expansion Committee that he was interested in pursuing a Buffalo expansion franchise.{{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}} However, he would retract this notification the following month after the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike commenced.{{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}} Buffalo was withdrawn as a candidate for the 1998 Major League Baseball expansion, and franchises were awarded to the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays in March 1995.{{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}}

Rich Jr. was offered an expansion franchise by the 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.{{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}} However, franchises were awarded in February 1995 to Long Island, Los Angeles, New Orleans, San Juan, Vancouver and Washington before the league folded without ever playing a game.{{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}}{{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}}

The Buffalo Bisons considered sharing the venue with the Toronto Blue Jays for their 1995 season, as the Ontario Labour Relations Board prohibited non-union replacement players from competing at SkyDome during the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike.{{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}} The Blue Jays instead chose to play at their spring training home of Dunedin Stadium, but the strike ended in April 1995 and the team returned to SkyDome.{{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}}{{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}}

File:DunnTireParkSat.png

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 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 prospects, while also making the park more hitter-friendly.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

The park's original four-color dot matrix scoreboard in center field was retrofitted with a 38-foot wide by 19-foot tall Daktronics LED video screen in 1999 at a cost of $1.2 million.{{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}}

The venue was home to the Buffalo Bulls of the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 2000.{{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}} The Bulls finished the season with a 12–35 record and moved to Amherst Audubon Field the following year.{{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}}{{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}}

File:Sahlen Field - Toronto Blue Jays - 51325046520.jpg

Major League Lacrosse staged an exhibition at the venue on August 11, 2000, as part of their Summer Showcase Tour.{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

File:Coca-Cola Field HD Scoreboard.JPG

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.{{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}}

The venue's luxury suites were consolidated and renovated beginning in 2010, reducing the total number from 38 to 26.{{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}} A 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.{{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}}

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.{{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}} That same year, a new $970,000 field drainage system and a new $750,000 field lighting system were added to the venue.{{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}}{{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}}

{{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 I-190, February 2006

| image2 = Sahlen Field from I190.jpg

| alt2 =

| caption2 = A view of the venue and its seating bowl from 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.{{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}} The Yankees finished the season with a 84–60 record and advanced to the International League playoffs.{{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}}

$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.{{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}}

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.{{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}}{{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}} 2,900 seats were replaced prior to the 2017 season, reducing capacity of the venue from 17,600 to 16,907.{{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}} 2,000 seats were replaced prior to the 2019 season, reducing capacity of the venue from 16,907 to 16,600.{{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}}{{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}}

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.{{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}}

File:Sahlen Field, Buffalo, New York, with Blue Jays branding and players warming up - August 2020.jpeg 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.{{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}} The Toronto Blue Jays, the Bisons' major league affiliate, announced the following month that they would play their 2020 season at the venue after the government of Canada denied them permission to play at Rogers Centre.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}} The Blue Jays finished the season with a 32–28 record, and advanced to the American League Wild Card Series.{{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}}

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.{{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}} Permanent upgrades included installation of LED field lighting, installation of instant replay technology, installation of Hawk-Eye for Statcast tracking, a resurfaced infield, and relocation of the home dugout to the third-base side of the stadium. Temporary facilities designed for the postponed MLB at Field of Dreams game were also utilized.{{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}}{{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}}

File:Sahlen Field Bullpens - Toronto Blue Jays.jpgs, July 2021]]

The Blue Jays used the venue for part of their 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.{{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}} 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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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 poles, a resurfaced outfield, and the relocation of both bullpens from foul territory to right-center field.{{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}} The renovated venue was named Professional Baseball Field of the Year in November 2021 by Sports Turf Managers Association.{{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}} The renovations were also nominated for Project of the Year at the 2021 Stadium Business Awards.{{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}}

In September 2023, the venue sustained $600,000 in damage after a fire started in a mobile concession stand.{{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}}{{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}}

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.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

{{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.{{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}} The stadium would be named Pilot Field in exchange for the company paying the City of Buffalo $51,000 on an annual basis.{{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}} 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 HMO North AmeriCare purchased the naming rights and the stadium became North AmeriCare Park (colloquially known as The NAP).{{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}} North AmeriCare agreed to pay the City of Buffalo $3.3 million over the course of 13 years.{{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}} 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.

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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

File:BartoloColón2016Spring.jpg, who threw the venue's only no-hitter in June 1997]]

The annual National Old-Timers Baseball Classic was held at the venue from 1988 to 1990.{{cite news |title=NL Old Timers Win |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/hutchinson-news-jun-21-1988-p-20/ |work=Hutchinson News |publisher=Associated Press |date=June 21, 1988}}{{cite news |last1=Harrington |first1=Mike |last2=Summers |first2=Robert J. |title=Old-Timers Game Represents Classic Case of Nostalgia |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/old-timers-game-represents-classic-case-of-nostalgia/article_9ec9b81b-4ebb-5c00-9c8f-35646ba1d7c3.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=June 18, 1989}}{{cite news |last1=Harrington |first1=Mike |last2=Summers |first2=Robert J. |title=Baseball's Greats Set For Third -- Perhaps Last -- Hurrah At Pilot |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/baseballs-greats-set-for-third----perhaps-last----hurrah-at/article_9ff624fd-42fe-5a57-a53a-ec86991bf912.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=June 25, 1990}}

The venue was host to the inaugural Triple-A All-Star Game on July 13, 1988.{{cite web |title=Triple-A All-Star Game Results (1988-1992) |url=https://www.triple-abaseball.com/ASGSummaries1.jsp |website=tripleabaseball.com |access-date=July 17, 2020 |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709221627/https://www.triple-abaseball.com/ASGSummaries1.jsp |url-status=dead}} It would later host the 25th-annual Triple-A All-Star Game on July 11, 2012.{{cite web |title=Triple-A All-Star Game Results (2008-2012) |url=https://www.tripleabaseball.com/ASGSummaries5.jsp |website=tripleabaseball.com}}

The June 3, 1990 game between the Buffalo Bisons and Oklahoma City 89ers, with a post-game concert by The Beach Boys, set the all-time single-game attendance record for baseball at the venue with 21,050 fans.{{cite news |last1=DiCesare |first1=Bob |title=Sloppiness Foils Herd in 7-6 Loss |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/sloppiness-foils-herd-in-7-6-loss/article_634b8f8c-6b7e-527e-8f37-0413729142c7.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=June 3, 1990}} An August 30, 2002, game between the Buffalo Bisons and Rochester Red Wings would later match that record.{{cite news |last1=Moritz |first1=Amy |title=Herd's Goelz Shines In Packed House |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/herds-goelz-shines-in-packed-house/article_44d4ab6a-1235-5f24-8dfa-c0c59854fde3.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=August 31, 2002}}

The venue hosted an exhibition between Team USA and Korea on July 9, 1992, that saw Korea win the game 4–2.{{cite web | last=Harrington | first=Mike | title=USA SLUMP CONTINUES AGAINST KOREA AMERICANS MANAGE JUST FIVE HITS IN LOSS AT PILOT FIELD | website=Buffalo News | date=July 10, 1992 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/usa-slump-continues-against-korea-americans-manage-just-five-hits-in-loss-at-pilot-field/article_14e20ec9-d80f-5a71-9a18-a95b818927c1.html | access-date=May 30, 2022}} The exhibition was part of Team USA's 30-game tour of both Cuba and the United States to promote their appearance in the 1992 Summer Olympics.{{cite web | title=Team USA 1992 Media Guide | website=USA Baseball | date=April 15, 2022 | url=http://mlb.mlb.com/usa_baseball/downloads/y2007/1992_Media_Guide.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415231043/http://mlb.mlb.com/usa_baseball/downloads/y2007/1992_Media_Guide.pdf | archive-date=April 15, 2022 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 30, 2022}}

Bartolo Colón of the Buffalo Bisons threw the venue's first and only no-hitter on June 20, 1997, against the New Orleans Zephyrs, sealing a 4–0 win.{{sfn|Buffalo Bisons Media Guide|2019|p=135}}

The Buffalo Bisons defeated the Richmond Braves at the venue on September 17, 2004 in Game 4 of their championship series to win the Governors' Cup by a score of 6–1.{{cite web |title=Bisons Win 2004 Governors' Cup |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/bisons-win-2004-governors-cup/n-3086665 |website=oursportscentral.com |date=September 17, 2004}}

The baseball events of the World University Games were held at the venue in July 1993.{{cite news |title=WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES; Cuban Player Takes Intentional Walk |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/07/11/sports/world-university-games-cuban-player-takes-intentional-walk.html |work=The New York Times |date=July 11, 1993}} The Gold medal game took place on July 16, 1993, and saw Cuba defeat South Korea 7–1.{{cite news |last1=DiCesare |first1=Bob |title=Unmatched Cuba Runs, Hits, Fields Its Way To Gold Medal In Baseball |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/unmatched-cuba-runs-hits-fields-its-way-to-gold-medal-in-baseball/article_40a34aa3-336f-593d-be0d-08ad542e9c00.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=July 17, 1993}}

The venue hosted the inaugural Big Four Baseball Classic tournament from April 27, 2004, to April 28, 2004.{{cite web | last=Athletics | first=Canisius College | title=Inaugural Big Four Baseball Classic To Be Held at Dunn Tire Park | website=Canisius College Athletics | date=October 30, 2003 | url=https://gogriffs.com/news/2003/10/30/1459233 | access-date=March 26, 2022}} In the championship game, the Niagara Purple Eagles defeated the St. Bonaventure Bonnies 8–7 in extra innings to win the Bisons Cup.{{cite web | last=Athletics | first=Niagara University | title=Niagara Defeats St. Bonaventure, Wins Inaugural Big Four Baseball Classic | website=Niagara University Athletics | date=April 28, 2004 | url=https://purpleeagles.com/news/2004/4/28/6167.aspx | access-date=March 26, 2022}} The venue later hosted the second-annual Big Four Baseball Classic tournament from April 26, 2005, to April 27, 2005.{{cite web | title=BONA, CANISIUS WIN AT BIG 4 CLASSIC | website=Buffalo News | date=April 27, 2005 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/bona-canisius-win-at-big-4-classic/article_3df5412e-482a-5eef-8281-80549ec55c48.html | access-date=March 26, 2022}} In the championship game, the St. Bonaventure Bonnies defeated the Canisius Golden Griffins 12–3.{{cite web | last=Moritz | first=Amy | title=BONA MAKES GRIFFS PAY FOR MISTAKES | website=Buffalo News | date=April 28, 2005 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/bona-makes-griffs-pay-for-mistakes/article_f6aaa3e1-e9d0-5bdb-beb0-62ab667c741f.html | access-date=March 26, 2022}}

File:Celebrity softball game during StarGaze 1993 at Pilot Field.jpg, June 1993]]

Jim Kelly held his inaugural Jim Kelly Shootout and Carnival of Stars charity event at the venue on June 7, 1992. The event drew a crowd of 14,500 and raised $150,000 for the Kelly for Kids Foundation.{{cite news |last1=Northrop |first1=Milt |title=Unlikely Stars Steal The Limelight In Shootout Bills Linebacker, Backup QBs Upstage NFL's Finest At Kelly Charity Carnival |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/unlikely-stars-steal-the-limelight-in-shootout-bills-linebacker-backup-qbs-upstage-nfls-finest-at/article_944d4a8f-94f6-580c-b878-00a99a5b4b8a.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=June 8, 1992}} The second-annual Jim Kelly charity event, now renamed StarGaze, was held at the venue on June 13, 1993. The event drew a crowd of 10,000 and raised $100,000 for the Kelly for Kids Foundation.{{cite news |last1=Liguori |first1=Aaron J. |last2=Habuda |first2=Janice L. |title=Kids Come Up Winners as Celebrities Pitch In And Make Stargaze '93 A Day To Remember |url=https://buffalonews.com/1993/06/14/kids-come-up-winners-as-celebrities-pitch-in-and-make-stargaze-93-a-day-to-remember/ |work=The Buffalo News |date=June 14, 1993}}

Micah Hyde held his inaugural Micah Hyde Charity Softball Game at the venue on June 2, 2019. The event drew a crowd of 2,500 and raised $40,000 for the Imagine for Youth Foundation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-chemistry-on-display-at-micah-hyde-s-charity-softball-game|title=Bills chemistry on display at Micah Hyde's Charity Softball Game|website=www.buffalobills.com}}{{cite web | last=Carucci | first=Vic | title=Bills bond under sun at Micah Hyde's charity softball game | website=Buffalo News | date=June 3, 2019 | url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/bills-bond-under-sun-at-micah-hydes-charity-softball-game/article_9ea6a2e7-ec46-5cfa-aac7-10c147ba2d42.html | access-date=March 25, 2022}} The second-annual Micah Hyde Charity Softball Game on May 15, 2022, drew a crowd of 10,000 and raised $200,000 for the Imagine for Youth Foundation, with a portion of proceeds donated to families impacted by the 2022 Buffalo shooting.{{cite web | last=Getzenberg | first=Alaina | title=Hyde uses charity game to aid shooting victims | website=ESPN.com | date=May 15, 2022 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33923792/buffalo-bills-micah-hyde-donate-portion-proceeds-charity-softball-game-support-shooting-victims | access-date=May 24, 2022}} The third-annual Micah Hyde Charity Softball Game on May 7, 2023 drew a crowd of 16,000 and raised $470,000 for the Imagine for Youth Foundation.{{cite web | title=Sold-out charity softball game 'truly remarkable' to Bills safety Micah Hyde | website=Buffalo News | date=May 3, 2023 | url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/sold-out-charity-softball-game-truly-remarkable-to-bills-safety-micah-hyde/article_6c6eee4a-ed00-11ed-a5ef-2b21fd5d098e.html | access-date=May 7, 2023}} The fourth-annual Micah Hyde Charity Softball Game on May 19, 2024 drew a crowd of 14,771 and raised $625,000 for the Imagine for Youth Foundation.{{cite web | last=Skurski | first=Jay | title=Jordan Poyer has a chance to say goodbye at Micah Hyde's charity softball game | website=Buffalo News | date=May 19, 2024 | url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/professional/nfl/bills/jordan-poyer-has-a-chance-to-say-goodbye-at-micah-hydes-charity-softball-game/article_833b03b8-1624-11ef-9a53-3b9cf1363ce3.html | access-date=May 20, 2024}}

File:Dierks 4.jpg, who headlined Taste of Country before a record crowd in June 2015]]

The Buffalo Bisons have presented a yearly post-game Summer Concert Series at the venue since 1988, featuring performances from national touring acts and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

The venue has regularly hosted local music festivals. WEDG presented their annual Edgefest at the venue in 1997 and 2003.{{cite news |title=Over The Weekend |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/over-the-weekend/article_e078096b-fce6-518c-bc89-2ca91db55f48.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=June 30, 1997}}{{cite news |title=Summer Concerts 2003 |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/summer-concerts-2003/article_03d2d9d4-9689-50e3-ace9-8499026aea0b.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=May 23, 2003}} WYRK has presented their annual Taste of Country at the venue since its inception in 2001. The June 12, 2015, Taste of Country event headlined by Dierks Bentley set the all-time attendance record for concerts at the venue with 27,000 fans.{{cite news |last1=O'Shei |first1=Tim |title=Taste of Country serves up a six-course delight |url=https://buffalonews.com/entertainment/taste-of-country-serves-up-a-six-course-delight/article_10f88d33-1ab9-5b09-b98a-3d9a22348e63.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=June 13, 2015}} WKSE presented their annual Kiss the Summer Hello at the venue from 2001 to 2002, and again from 2009 to 2013.{{cite web |title=IL News and Notes |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/il-news-and-notes/n-2708132 |website=oursportscentral.com |publisher=International League |date=April 26, 2001}}{{cite news |last1=Miers |first1=Jeff |title=Summer Smooch |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/summer-smooch/article_4daa5a62-f208-58f1-9548-aea2d0018605.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=May 24, 2002}}{{cite news |last1=Sweeney |first1=Joe |title=Pop music fans enjoy first kiss of summer |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/pop-music-fans-enjoy-first-kiss-of-summer/article_4d767220-cdb2-560d-b79a-f2a31f589a0b.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=June 4, 2009}}{{cite news |last1=Sweeney |first1=Joe |title=This summer's officially Kissed |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/this-summers-officially-kissed/article_cc1a10b2-900b-58cf-b4fc-ca373d644e54.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=June 6, 2010}}{{cite news |last1=Sweeney |first1=Joe |title=Time to say 'Hello' to summer music season |url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-buffalo-news/20110605/282123518114271 |work=The Buffalo News |date=June 5, 2011}}{{cite news |last1=Gallivan |first1=Seamus |title=Kiss show is high-energy, sugary sweet |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/kiss-show-is-high-energy-sugary-sweet/article_1f75bf35-133c-56b6-9673-cf798d911f5d.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=June 3, 2012}}{{cite news |last1=Gallivan |first1=Seamus |title=Teens and tweens kiss the summer hello |url=https://buffalonews.com/entertainment/teens-and-tweens-kiss-the-summer-hello/article_2207c4b8-d064-594a-a507-16da1ff4868a.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=June 30, 2013}} The Great Guitar Gig took place at the venue on June 15, 2003, as part of the second-annual Buffalo Niagara Guitar Festival.

The venue has also hosted national music festivals. Budweiser Superfest took place at the venue on July 7, 1989.{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Dale |title=1989: A Final Word From Our Critics |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/1989-a-final-word-from-our-critics--pop-music/article_0569277b-a04b-506e-b63e-9094b2a6c914.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=December 24, 1989}} Bluestime Jam took place at the venue on August 29, 1995.{{cite news |last1=Santella |first1=Jim |title=It's Hard To Be Blue When B.B. King and Friends Come to Town |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/its-hard-to-be-blue-when-b-b-king-and-friends-come-to-town/article_0dcb71ae-5f5f-5aab-bfba-8b028cd5ab8d.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=August 30, 1995}} Counting Crows headlined a show at the venue on August 1, 2007, as part of their Rock 'n' Roll Triple Play Ballpark Tour.{{cite web |title=Counting Crows to play Dunn Tire Park |url=http://www.milb.com/gen/articles/printer_friendly/milb/press/y2007/m05/d18/c245539.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501165205/http://www.milb.com/gen/articles/printer_friendly/milb/press/y2007/m05/d18/c245539.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 1, 2022 |website=Minor League Baseball |date=May 18, 2007}}{{cite news |last1=Schobert |first1=Christopher |title=A comfortable lineup of 90s nostalgia |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/a-comfortable-lineup-of-90s-nostalgia/article_5e05f5e3-328b-5a23-9fe1-c67fd633b372.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=August 2, 2007}}

Goo Goo Dolls filmed the music video for their debut single "There You Are" at the venue in 1990.{{cite news |last1=Nason |first1=Geoff |title=Goo Goo Dolls' Rzeznik Recalls Pilot Field During Interview On MLB Network |url=https://buffalonews.com/entertainment/goo-goo-dolls-rzeznik-recalls-pilot-field-during-interview-on-mlb-network/article_e40a48f4-ac48-51e0-9405-9604cd81c34e.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=May 4, 2016}}

A low-budget film called Angel Blues was shot at the venue in August 1993. It was directed by William Zabka and starred Michael Paloma, Loryn Locklin, Meredith Salenger, Richard Moll, David Johansen and Michael Horse.{{cite news |last1=Harrington |first1=Mike |title=A Special Night At Pilot Just Could Be A 'Natural' |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/a-special-night-at-pilot-just-could-be-a-natural/article_90698239-6dd1-5656-a180-67c72e08a4e8.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=August 28, 1993}}{{cite web |last1=Archerd |first1=Army | author-link = Army Archerd | title=Chanel gets endorsement from Monroe |url=https://variety.com/1994/voices/columns/chanel-gets-endorsement-from-monroe-1117862543/ |publisher=Variety |date=August 24, 1994}}{{cite news |last1=Germain |first1=David |title=Buffalo honors The Natural |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/424494647/ |work=Montreal Gazette |date=August 28, 1993}}

Ballpark Brawl was a series of post-game professional wrestling events produced by the Buffalo Bisons and promoted by Christopher Hill, their Director of Sales and Marketing between 2003 and 2007.{{cite web |title=Ballpark Brawl VII with Sergeant Slaughter on August 27 |url=http://www.milb.com/gen/articles/printer_friendly/clubs/t422/y2006/m08/d24/c122328.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415231045/http://www.milb.com/gen/articles/printer_friendly/clubs/t422/y2006/m08/d24/c122328.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 15, 2022 |website=Minor League Baseball |date=August 24, 2006}} The promotion's Natural Heavyweight Championship paid homage to The Natural, which was filmed in Buffalo at War Memorial Stadium.

TNA Wrestling held BaseBrawl at the venue on June 18, 2011, an event headlined by Kurt Angle defeating Scott Steiner, with an appearance by Hulk Hogan.{{cite web | title=TNA BASEBRAWL IN BUFFALO, NY LIVE REPORT | website=PWInsider.com | date=June 19, 2011 | url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/59080/tna-basebrawl-in-buffalo-ny-live-report.html?p=1 | access-date=August 23, 2022}} A second BaseBrawl event on June 22, 2012 was headlined by Bobby Roode defeating Jeff Hardy to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.{{cite web | title=6/22 TNA BASEBRAWL IN BUFFALO, NY RESULTS | website=PWInsider.com | date=June 23, 2012 | url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/69562/622-tna-basebrawl-in-buffalo-ny-results.html | access-date=August 23, 2022}}

File:Buffalo wing fest crowd.jpg, September 2012]]

Reverend Billy Graham staged his Greater Buffalo-Niagara Crusade at the venue from August 1, 1988, to August 7, 1988.{{cite web | last1=S. | first1=Michael | last2=T. | first2=Patricia | title=Syracuse Post Standard Archives, Jul 30, 1988, p. 6 | website=NewspaperArchive.com | date=July 30, 1988 | url=https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-jul-30-1988-p-6/ | access-date=March 25, 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Chismar |first1=Janet |title=Buffalo Ready for Rock the Lakes |work=Billy Graham Evangelistic Association |url=https://billygraham.org/story/buffalo-ready-for-rock-the-lakes/ |date=July 17, 2012}}

Opening Ceremonies for the Empire State Games took place at the venue on July 24, 1996. Buffalo native Todd Marchant was the event's keynote speaker.{{cite news |last1=Cardinale |first1=Anthony |last2=Herbeck |first2=Dan | title=Curtain Rises On Empire State Games |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/curtain-rises-on-empire-state-games/article_0bb674c4-dca3-5ef2-958e-3efb5b7159ed.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=July 25, 1996}}

The venue was host to the annual Drum Corps International Tour of Champions, promoted locally as Drums Along the Waterfront, from its inception in 1997 to 2006.{{cite web | last=Crawley | first=Eric | title=DRUM ROLL, PLEASE! A BOOMING EVENT | website=Buffalo News | date=July 8, 1997 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/drum-roll-please-a-booming-event/article_12b2062d-8557-539c-8c34-c62889946e18.html | access-date=March 26, 2022}}

The venue began hosting the annual National Buffalo Wing Festival in 2002, featuring the U.S. National Buffalo Wing Eating Championship.{{cite web | title=National Buffalo Wing Festival pivots, becomes 'America's Greatest Chicken Wing Party' for 2020 | website=WKBW | date=July 8, 2020 | url=https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/national-buffalo-wing-festival-pivots-becomes-americas-greatest-chicken-wing-party-for-2020 | access-date=April 5, 2022}} After moving to Highmark Stadium following the 2019 event, it will return to Sahlen Field beginning in 2025.{{cite web | last=Campbell | first=Brian | title=National Buffalo Wing Festival to move back to Sahlen Field in 2025 | website=spectrumlocalnews.com | date=December 10, 2024 | url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/jamestown/news/2024/12/10/national-buffalo-wing-festival-to-move-back-to-sahlen-field-in-2025 | access-date=December 11, 2024}}

The inaugural Harvard Cup Hall of Fame Game took place at the venue on September 28, 2002. The Kensington Knights defeated the Bennett Tigers 26–0 in the venue's first-ever football game.{{cite web | last1=Salzman | first1=Bob | last2=Monnin | first2=Mary Jo | title=A NIGHT OF HARVARD CUP MEMORIES | website=Buffalo News | date=September 29, 2002 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/a-night-of-harvard-cup-memories/article_fd8db9a3-ef40-50a0-9484-0897242d0e2a.html | access-date=March 25, 2022}} The second-annual Harvard Cup Hall of Fame Game took place at the venue as a doubleheader on September 20, 2003. The Lafayette Violets defeated the Grover Cleveland Presidents 28–6, and the Hutch-Tech Engineers defeated the McKinley Macks 14–0.{{cite web | last=Rodriguez | first=Miguel | title=DEFENSES LIFT HUTCH-TECH, LAFAYETTE | website=Buffalo News | date=September 21, 2003 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/defenses-lift-hutch-tech-lafayette/article_bf5f7b34-35a3-5b02-8839-7f0f42d74ed9.html | access-date=March 25, 2022}}

The venue's play is greatly affected by its orientation and susceptibility to the winds of nearby Lake Erie. Center field faces south-southeast, with a year-round 8 to 10 MPH breeze moving from the right field foul pole towards the left field foul pole.{{cite web | last=Spencer | first=Crosby | title=2020 Park Factors for the Seven New MLB Parks - RotoFanatic | website=RotoFanatic | date=September 20, 2020 | url=https://rotofanatic.com/2020-park-factors-for-the-seven-new-mlb-parks-fantasy-baseball/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006082918/https://rotofanatic.com/2020-park-factors-for-the-seven-new-mlb-parks-fantasy-baseball/ | archive-date=October 6, 2020 | url-status=dead | access-date=August 23, 2022}} Right-handed batters therefore tend to have the most success hitting balls into left field and left-center, although left-handed batters hitting opposite field at a high trajectory also see their balls carried out of the park.{{cite web | last=Dykstra | first=Sam | title=Toolshed: What Buffalo move means for bats, arms | website=Minor League Baseball | date=August 26, 2022 | url=https://www.milb.com/news/toolshed-what-toronto-blue-jays-buffalo-move-means-for-bats-arms | access-date=August 26, 2022}} The cozy field dimensions of 325 feet to left field and 371 feet to left-center aid the number of home runs hit in those directions.{{cite web | last=Lerner | first=Danielle | title=Buffalo's Sahlen Field brings a new experience for Astros | website=Houston Chronicle | date=June 4, 2021 | url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Buffalo-Sahlen-Field-experience-Astros-Blue-Jays-16225978.php | access-date=August 26, 2022}} A 60-foot tall chain-link fence in left field protects motor vehicles on Oak Street from being struck.{{cite web | last=DiCesare | first=Bob | title=BISONS FIELD A RASH OF IDEAS TO BABY THEIR FANS | website=Buffalo News | date=March 15, 1989 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/bisons-field-a-rash-of-ideas-to-baby-their-fans/article_91d52eb9-da47-56ea-a4e6-6a73c7b7ba9f.html | access-date=June 9, 2022}} Cold winds in early months of the baseball season tend to prevent balls from exiting the park, while the warmer summer winds allow for greater carry.{{cite web | title=Early returns make Sahlen Field a big-league bandbox for home runs | website=Buffalo News | date=August 20, 2020 | url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/early-returns-make-sahlen-field-a-big-league-bandbox-for-home-runs/article_e08918f8-e238-11ea-968a-9b19c592d1fa.html | access-date=August 26, 2022}} In 2019, Baseball America ranked it as the third-best International League ballpark to hit home runs in. The venue allowed 10% more runs than average during the 2020 Toronto Blue Jays season.{{cite web | last=Bannon | first=Mitch | title=A Look at the New Sahlen Field in Buffalo | website=Sports Illustrated Toronto Blue Jays News, Analysis and More | date=June 1, 2021 | url=https://www.si.com/mlb/bluejays/news/a-look-at-the-renovated-sahlen-field | access-date=August 26, 2022}}

{{wide image|File:New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays, Sahlen Field, Buffalo, New York - 20210617 - 02 - panorama.jpg|620px|An evening game between the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees – June 17, 2021}}

File:Sahlen Field - Toronto Blue Jays - Foul Pole.jpg, July 2021]]

1. A fair ball becoming lodged in the outfield fence padding is a ground rule double.
2. A bounding fair ball striking the outfield fence padding and bouncing over the fence is an automatic double.
3. A fair ball striking the foul pole caps or metal support piping beyond the outfield wall:
4. is a home run if hit as a fly ball.
5. is out of play if hit as a bounding ball.
6. A bounding fair ball striking the unpadded cement wall to the immediate right and left of each foul pole is in play.
7. A fair ball striking the bottom of the outfield fence is in play.{{cite web | title=Ground Rules | website=MLB.com | date=May 11, 2022 | url=https://www.mlb.com/groundrules/venue-2756 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511110827/https://www.mlb.com/groundrules/venue-2756 | archive-date=May 11, 2022 | url-status=live | access-date=August 27, 2022}}

File:Sahlen Field Concourse - Toronto Blue Jays.jpg

Pub at the Park is a 250-seat bar and restaurant located within the venue's first-base mezzanine that features both indoor seating and outdoor patio seating with views of the field. It is open to the public for special events via an entrance on Washington Street, and exclusively to ticketholders with reservations on game days.{{cite web | title=Bisons Consumer's Pub at the Park | website=Minor League Baseball | date=March 30, 2022 | url=https://www.milb.com/buffalo/ballpark/pub-at-the-park | access-date=March 30, 2022}} The restaurant was formerly known as Pettibone's Grille from 1988 to 2016.{{cite news |last1=Galarneau |first1=Andrew Z. |title=Consumer's Pub at the Park replaces Pettibones at the stadium |url=https://buffalonews.com/entertainment/dining/consumers-pub-at-the-park-replaces-pettibones-at-stadium/article_c32b6c21-266c-5e9a-85f9-52078d2b7dca.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=July 6, 2017}}

Concessions around the venue's concourse highlight local cuisine, with selections including beef on weck from Charlie the Butcher, craft beer from Consumer's Beverages and Resurgence Brewing Company, craft beer and wine from Southern Tier Brewing Company, hot dogs from Sahlen's, pierogies from Alexandra Foods, pizza from La Nova Pizzeria, pizza logs from Original Pizza Logs, and soft serve from Upstate Farms.{{cite web | title=Sahlen Field Concessions | website=Minor League Baseball | date=March 31, 2023 | url=https://www.milb.com/buffalo/ballpark/concessions | access-date=March 31, 2023}} Coca-Cola brand soft drinks are also available throughout the stadium.

The venue is cashless for concessions, with support for contactless payment and online food ordering with mobile payment.{{cite web | title=Sahlen Field to be cashless for Buffalo Bisons games in 2024 for concessions, merchandise, vending & restaurant purchases | website=Minor League Baseball | date=March 19, 2024 | url=https://www.milb.com/news/bisons-sahlen-field-cashless-policy-2024 | access-date=March 19, 2024}}{{cite web | last=Palmer | first=Megan | title=SpotOn Home Run with Fan-Focused Tech Stack at Sahlen Field | website=Heart & Hustle | date=August 18, 2021 | url=https://spoton.com/blog/spoton-fan-focused-tech-stack-sahlen-field/ | access-date=March 30, 2022}}{{cite web | title=With a full season on the schedule, Bisons mixing staples with new twists | website=Buffalo News | date=March 29, 2022 | url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/with-a-full-season-on-the-schedule-bisons-mixing-staples-with-new-twists/article_fad9253c-afa9-11ec-9ff3-279855c87882.html | access-date=March 30, 2022}}

File:Syracuse Mets at Buffalo Bisons - 20210910 - 02 - Sahlen Field upper deck and press box.jpg that bears the initials of Rich Products founder Robert E. Rich Sr., September 2021]]

The Buffalo Bisons have customarily marked the landing spot of every home run their players have hit into the right field parking lot since the venue's inaugural season in 1988.{{Cite news|url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/blue-jays-briefs-rowdy-tellez-homeless-jays-power-past-rays/article_9cfc0fe0-de6f-11ea-8db9-c7430b993ca3.html|title=Blue Jays briefs: Rowdy Tellez, 'homeless' Jays power past Rays|first=Lance|last=Lysowski|website=The Buffalo News}} This feat is rarely accomplished because the balls have had to clear either the right field bleachers or the Party Deck that replaced them in order to reach the parking lot. Russell Branyan holds the record for most parking lot home runs, with three.

Robert E. Rich Sr., the founder of Rich Products and father of Buffalo Bisons owner Robert E. Rich Jr., died in February 2006. His initials are inscribed on the press box, above the owner's suite, in tribute.{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Carolyn |title=Robert E. Rich Sr., at 92; invented nondairy topping |url=http://archive.boston.com/news/globe/obituaries/articles/2006/02/18/robert_e_rich_sr_at_92_invented_nondairy_topping/?camp=pm |work=The Boston Globe |date=February 18, 2006}} The venue hosted the annual Robert E. Rich Memorial Baseball Classic tournament between local high school teams from 2006 to 2008.{{cite web | title=High School Extra / News & notes | website=Buffalo News | date=April 24, 2006 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/high-school-extra-news-notes/article_0e7fb644-7de4-5842-9861-8b18f3653eac.html | access-date=August 24, 2022}}{{cite web | title=Spartans win Baseball Classic, 9-8, in Nine Innings | website=Minor League Baseball | date=May 16, 2007 | url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-244704 | access-date=August 24, 2022}}{{cite web | title=St. Mary's Wins Rich Baseball Classic | website=Minor League Baseball | date=April 20, 2008 | url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-387470 | access-date=August 24, 2022}}

Former Mayor of Buffalo James D. Griffin was posthumously honored by the Buffalo Common Council in July 2008 after they voted to change the venue's address to One James D. Griffin Plaza.{{cite news |last1=Zremski |first1=Jerry |last2=Meyer |first2=Brian |title=Russert, Griffin names headed for public spaces Bills' stadium road; baseball park plaza |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/russert-griffin-names-headed-for-public-spaces-bills-stadium-road-baseball-park-plaza/article_5ebb8ee8-2f31-5e95-9313-41e017122e09.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=July 16, 2008}}

File:Buffalo Bisons Hall of Fame and Heritage Room, Sahlen Field.jpg and Heritage Room, July 2015]]

A bronze sculpture of James D. Griffin titled The First Pitch, referencing his ceremonial first pitch at the venue's inaugural game, was unveiled outside the stadium in August 2012. The William Koch piece was commissioned by the Buffalo Bisons to honor Griffin's contributions in constructing the ballpark and bringing professional baseball back to Buffalo.{{cite web |last1=Fetouh |first1=Omar |title=Jimmy Griffin statue unveiled at Coca Coca Field |url=https://news.wbfo.org/post/jimmy-griffin-statue-unveiled-coca-coca-field |website=news.wbfo.org |publisher=WBFO NPR |date=August 17, 2012}}

Plaques honoring all members of the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame were previously displayed within the Hall of Fame and Heritage Room, which was built on the venue's third-base concourse in 2013.{{sfn|Buffalo Bisons Media Guide|2019|p=92}} It was removed in 2021 as part of stadium renovations, and has yet to reopen.{{cite web | last=Harrington | first=Mike | title=Inside Baseball: Ben Francisco's consistency lands him in Buffalo Hall | website=Buffalo News | date=August 22, 2022 | url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/inside-baseball-ben-franciscos-consistency-lands-him-in-buffalo-hall/article_a1ebde9a-0a96-11ed-b3f0-a73c1c59165f.html | access-date=August 13, 2024}}

The Buffalo Bisons hang a Championship Corner banner in left field that commemorates the team's many league and division championships, along with the retired numbers of Ollie Carnegie (6), Luke Easter (25), Jeff Manto (30) and Jackie Robinson (42).{{cite news |title=Bisons to Retire Manto's no. 30 in August Ceremony |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/bisons-to-retire-mantos-no-30-in-august-ceremony/article_ee9490dd-a37b-5a50-abe7-d511885a30ca.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=May 18, 2001}}

Retired numbers of former Toronto Blue Jays players Roberto Alomar (12) and Roy Halladay (32), along with the retired number of Jackie Robinson (42), were inscribed above the venue's press box for the 2020 season. In addition, the number of former Toronto Blue Jays player Tony Fernández (1) was inscribed on the venue's outfield fence to honor his recent passing.{{cite news |last1=Harrington |first1=Mike |title=Play ball: Buffalo is back in the majors as Blue Jays open series |url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/play-ball-buffalo-is-back-in-the-majors-as-blue-jays-open-series/article_e41d8d10-dc1a-11ea-8a04-bb11a3b771e6.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=August 11, 2020}}

File:Buffalo Exchange Street Station - 51730567762.jpg, November 2021]]

Sahlen Field is located at the Elm Street exit (Exit 6) of Interstate 190, and within one mile of both the Oak Street exit of Route 33 and the Seneca Street exit of Route 5.{{cite book | last1=Lingo | first1=W. | last2=Badler | first2=B. | last3=Blood | first3=M. | last4=Cooper | first4=J.J. | last5=Eddy | first5=M. | last6=Fitt | first6=A. | title=Baseball America Directory 2008: Your Definitive Guide to the Game | publisher=Baseball America | year=2008 | isbn=978-1-932391-20-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=weJd81WQSfYC&pg=PA116 | access-date=August 23, 2022 | page=116}}

A 816-space Allpro parking ramp is located behind right field on Exchange Street, and a pedestrian bridge over Washington Street connects it with a 457-space Allpro parking garage under the Seneca One Tower complex.{{cite web | last=Epstein | first=Jonathan D. | title=Seneca Tower ramp goes up for sale March 3 | website=Buffalo News | date=February 26, 2016 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/seneca-tower-ramp-goes-up-for-sale-march-3/article_745e0a80-e619-5e7c-ae09-2f2fb695f6a5.html | access-date=August 25, 2022}}{{cite web | title=Jemal seeks to take control of Seneca One underground garage from city | website=Buffalo News | date=November 29, 2021 | url=https://buffalonews.com/business/local/jemal-seeks-to-take-control-of-seneca-one-underground-garage-from-city/article_3e705b84-5137-11ec-8e11-bfd99e29bfd4.html | access-date=March 19, 2022}} The Allpro parking garage provides a charging station.{{cite web | last=Williams | first=Deidre | title=Charging stations for electric cars coming to downtown ramps | website=Buffalo News | date=May 9, 2017 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/local/charging-stations-for-electric-cars-coming-to-downtown-ramps/article_dd6656df-06a2-5df4-9ead-1ccbc0770817.html | access-date=August 25, 2022}}

The venue is publicly served by Seneca Station of Buffalo Metro Rail, located one block West of the venue on Main Street.{{cite web | title=Heading to an Event | website=Metro Bus & Rail | url=https://metro.nfta.com/schedules/heading-to-an-event | access-date=March 21, 2022}} It is also served by Buffalo–Exchange Street station of Amtrak, located directly across from the venue on Exchange Street.{{cite web | title=New Rail Station Opens in Downtown Buffalo – Great American Stations | website=Great American Stations – Revitalizing America's Train Stations | date=November 12, 2020 | url=https://www.greatamericanstations.com/new-rail-station-opens-in-downtown-buffalo/ | access-date=March 25, 2022}}

Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority maintains the Washington & Seneca bus stop located directly outside the venue's Seneca Street entrance, providing local service on Route 8 between downtown Buffalo and University Station.{{cite web | title=#8 - Main | website=Metro Bus & Rail | url=https://metro.nfta.com/schedules/route/8 | access-date=April 24, 2022}} Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center is located two blocks North of the venue on Ellicott Street and provides intercity bus service.{{cite web | title=Intercity Buses | website=GO Buffalo Niagara | date=September 4, 2018 | url=https://www.gobuffaloniagara.org/intercity-buses | access-date=March 26, 2022}}

Reddy Bikeshare maintains an automated station at the corner of Washington Street and Swan Street.{{cite web | title=Reddy Bikeshare | website=Reddy Bikeshare | date=October 29, 2021 | url=https://reddybikeshare.socialbicycles.com/ | access-date=March 21, 2022}}

;Specific

{{reflist}}

;General

• {{cite web |url=https://milb.bamcontent.com/documents/1/4/2/308944142/2019_Buffalo_Bisons_Media_Guide.pdf |title=2019 Buffalo Bisons Media Guide |website=Buffalo Bisons |publisher=Minor League Baseball |access-date=August 2, 2020 | ref={{harvid|Buffalo Bisons Media Guide|2019}}}}

• Overfield, Joseph M. The Seasons of Buffalo Baseball 1857-2020 (Billoni Associates Publishing, 2020). {{ISBN|9780578757049}}
• Rich, Bob. The Right Angle: Tales from a Sporting Life (Prometheus Books, 2011). {{ISBN|9781616144289}}
• Violanti, Anthony. Miracle in Buffalo: How the Dream of Baseball Revived a City (St. Martin's Press, 1991). {{ISBN|9780312048785}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website|https://www.milb.com/buffalo/ballpark/sahlen-field}}

{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-sta|et}}}}

{{succession box

| title = Home of the
Buffalo Bisons

| years = 1988 – 2019
2021 – present

| before = War Memorial Stadium
Trenton Thunder Ballpark

| after = Trenton Thunder Ballpark
Present

}}

{{succession box

| title = Host of the
Old-Timers Baseball Classic

| years = 1988 – 1990

| before = Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium

| after = Final event

}}

{{succession box

| title = Host of the
Triple-A All-Star Game

| years = 1988
2012

| before = Inaugural event
Spring Mobile Ballpark

| after = Cooper Stadium
Aces Ballpark

}}

{{succession box

| title = Host of
StarGaze

| years = 1992 – 1993

| before = Inaugural event

| after = University at Buffalo Stadium

}}

{{succession box

| title = World University Games venue

| years = 1993

| before = Don Valley Stadium
{{flag|UK}}

| after = Fukuoka Dome
{{flagu|Japan}}

}}

{{succession box

| title = Home of the
Buffalo Nighthawks

| years = 1998

| before = Inaugural

| after = Final

}}

{{succession box

| title = Home of the
Buffalo Bulls

| years = 2000

| before = Inaugural

| after = Amherst Audubon Field

}}

{{succession box

| title = Host of the
National Buffalo Wing Festival

| years = 2002 – 2019
2025 – present

| before = Inaugural event
Highmark Stadium

| after = Highmark Stadium
Present

}}

{{succession box

| title = Home of the
Toronto Blue Jays

| years = 2020
2021

| before = Rogers Centre
TD Ballpark

| after = TD Ballpark
Rogers Centre

}}

{{end}}

{{navboxes|list=

{{Buffalo Bisons}}

{{Buffalo Bulls baseball navbox}}

{{Toronto Blue Jays}}

{{International League baseball venue navbox}}

{{Defunct MLB Ballparks}}

{{Buffalo Sports}}

}}

{{Portal bar|Baseball}}

Category:1988 establishments in New York (state)

Category:Baseball venues in New York (state)

Category:Buffalo Bisons (minor league)

Category:Buildings and structures in Buffalo, New York

Category:Defunct college baseball venues in the United States

Category:Defunct Major League Baseball venues

Category:International League ballparks

Category:Minor league baseball venues

Category:Music venues completed in 1988

Category:Music venues in New York (state)

Category:Populous (company) buildings

Category:Sports venues completed in 1988

Category:Sports venues in Buffalo, New York

Category:Sports venues in Erie County, New York

Category:Sports venues in New York (state)

Category:Toronto Blue Jays stadiums

Category:Tourist attractions in Buffalo, New York