The Buffalo Bisons today announced their 2013 Schedule and Game Times for the 128th season of professional baseball in Buffalo. Great baseball, exciting events and fun promotions will begin with Opening Day, Thursday, April 4 against the Rochester Red Wings at 2:05 p.m.

Click HERE to download a 2013 Buffalo Bisons schedule.

The Bisons also announced the dates and times of some of their most popular annual events, including the 19th Annual KeyBank Independence Eve Celebration on Wednesday, July 3 against the Red Wings (6:05 p.m.) and the 6th Annual Star Wars Night on Saturday, June 22 against Durham (6:05 p.m.).

"This summer has truly been an unforgettable season at Coca-Cola Field," said Mike Buczkowski, Vice President/General Manager. "The Bisons front office staff is eager to begin the next quarter-century of great family fun and entertainment at the ballpark."

The 2013 schedule will feature 10 fridaynightbash! games as part of 32 home contests to be played on either a Friday, Saturday or a Sunday (44% of schedule). Buffalo's 25 home games in the Summer days after the 2013 All-Star break are the 2nd-most among all International League teams (Rochester, 26).

Throughout the 2013 season, the Bisons will use the customary 7:05 p.m. start time for most evening games after the first month of the season. Most Sundays and weekday afternoon starts will have a 1:05 p.m. first pitch while a 6:05 p.m. first pitch will be used for various special event games.

Tickets for the 2013 season will not go on sale until the conclusion of the 2012 Bisons season.

Fan-Favorite Events are Set
The Bisons have announced the dates and times of some of the events that fans circle on their calendar every year. It all starts when the snow melts and baseball returns to Buffalo on Opening Day, Thursday, April 4 against Rochester (2:05 p.m.). The annual School Kids Day will look to reach the half-million milestone on Thursday, June 6 at 10:35 a.m. against Lehigh Valley. Over 483,000 have enjoyed morning baseball with educational messages since 1988.

The saga of Star Wars Night continues for a sixth year on Saturday, June 22 against the Durham Bulls (6:05 p.m.) while the 19th Annual KeyBank Independence Eve Celebration with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus returns on Wednesday, July 3 against Rochester (6:05 p.m.).

The team's annual Sunday night Home Run Derby will be August 4 against Pawtucket (6:05 p.m.) before the season wraps up with the classic Fan Appreciation Night on Thursday, August 29 against the Red Wings (6:05 p.m.).

The complete 2013 promotional schedule will be announced at a later time.

The Summer at Coca-Cola Field
The Bisons have 17 home games scheduled for the month of August, more than any other month on the schedule. The Herd will host three consecutive fridaynightbash!® games from August 9-23 and has 7 of its 17 games in the final month on either Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

The team will play 47 games before the All-Star break, the second fewest in the International League. Once the calendar hits July, the Bisons have just one roadtrip longer than four games (July 25 - August 2 at Toledo and Columbus).

The Bisons have 14 home games on Thursdays, the most of any day. The Herd plays 11 games on Fridays and 11 more on Sundays -including a scheduled doubleheader against Syracuse on Sunday, July 7 (1:05 p.m.). The Bisons are home the fewest times on Wednesday (9), Tuesday (9) and Monday (8).

Schedule Format
The International League format is unchanged from last season. Each team is scheduled to play 144 games (72 at home). The Bisons will play North Division opponents 16 times each (eight at home) and the Herd will face teams from the South and West Division eight times each (four at home).

The 2013 Governors' Cup playoffs will begin on Wednesday, September 4 with the winner of the IL North Division hosting the league's lone wild card team.

The Gildan 2013 Triple-A National Baseball Championship between the International League and the Pacific Coast League is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17.

-the herd-