Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - With the Total Solar Eclipse set to sweep over Western New York on April 8, the Buffalo Bisons have announced they'll team up with NASA to host a Total Solar Eclipse viewing event at Sahlen Field that will be free to the public.
Gates at the ballpark will open at 12 p.m. with an educational and entertaining program beginning at 1 p.m., featuring NASA scientists, Q&A sessions, demonstrations and a live feed of NASA programming on the Bisons 80-foot centerfield scoreboard.
Bisons assistant general manager Brad Bisbing says this eclipse-viewing event is truly going to be a one of a kind, unique ballpark event.
"We always like to say, every game is an event, and this one is going to be truly unique," said Bisbing in an interview with WBEN. "To think not only is it going to be great for everybody in Buffalo and in Western New York, but this is one of the best places in the world to be on April 8. And to be able to team up with NASA, who else would be better to lead us through this once in a lifetime experience than the scientists at NASA. They've been great to work with, we're really excited to get them to come to Buffalo to be able to talk to the crowd, and guide us through, what should be, an amazing event."
With it being known for quite some time that a Total Solar Eclipse was set to cut its path through Buffalo and Western New York, leadership atop the Bisons organization started brainstorming ideas of what can be done at the ballpark to make this experience that much more special. Bisbing says the first thought that came to mind was contacting NASA to see if something can be worked out for April 8, 2024.
"Obviously they knew Buffalo was one of the premier places in the world to see this, so there was an interest level on their part to be here anyway for the eclipse. We got talking, and then told them a little bit about the ballpark and some of our capabilities with the scoreboard and whatnot. And they had scientists jumping at the chance to be a part of it," Bisbing explained. "It's been a long [road], but at the same time, they've been great to work with every step of the way. Now that we're only a couple of weeks out, we're fine tuning the program, and I think everybody involved is really excited to be here at the ballpark on the 8th."
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For this once-in-a-lifetime celestial event, the Bisons are thrilled to welcome the following NASA scientists scheduled to appear at Sahlen Field to educate and inform those in attendance:
- Timothy P. McClanahan: NASA Planetary Scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
- Rich Burns: NASA Project Manager, Space Science Mission Operations Project at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
- Kelly Hyde: NASA Project Support Manager, Space Science Mission Operations Project at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
- Angela Stickle: NASA-funded Planetary Scientist, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Children attending the Total Eclipse at Sahlen Field can submit their questions to the NASA scientists in advance at Bisons.com/Eclipse. The Bisons will then select the best questions from those submitted, and give those children the opportunity to ask their question to the NASA scientists themselves on the field during the event's Q&A session.
Bisons general manager Anthony Sprague is also aware of this viewing experience being one of the most unique and memorable events that will ever be hosted at Sahlen Field. Not only does he feel there's no one better suited to educate and guide people through the eclipse on April 8, but there's no where better to view the eclipse in Western New York.
"We've got seats for you, we've got bathrooms, we've got a nice catered lunch for you, and we've got NASA scientists here that are going to explain everything. Legit, I don't think anyone in the country, certainly in Buffalo, that's going to offer what we can offer both convenience-wise and educationally-wise what we'll have here," said Sprague of the upcoming eclipse.
Bisbing agrees with Sprague, adding the Total Solar Eclipse will also be putting the City of Buffalo in the spotlight with the amount of people flocking to the region.
"That's the really cool thing is so many people from around the country and around the world are coming to Buffalo. And on top of being able to have an event like this, to also be able to showcase our great city to all those visitors, this is going to be a lot of fun," Bisbing said. "I think what's great is, again, being able to have NASA here at the ballpark, it just adds a new level to the experience, and to be able to hear people that have spent their careers studying the stars and the solar system, they know everything about it."
With this event being free to the public and also being general admission st Sahlen Field, Bisbing says normally when that's the case, not every seat is filled. However, the ballpark does have the large capacity to host more people than maybe expected.
Bisbing also felt it was important to the Bisons organization to have this be a free event for all, and be something the community can share.
"You can get your tickets for free at the Sahlen Field Box Office, so hopefully a lot of people choose to come down to the ballpark and be a part of the community that's going to experience this event together," Bisbing said. "We're just expecting a great event, and a special event, and one that's super unique to anything we've ever done here at the ballpark. That alone gets our staff excited about preparing for it, and building a fun event leading up to the eclipse and afterwards. It should be great."
In addition, Bisbing is optimistic it's going to be a beautiful day in Buffalo and throughout Western New York for everyone to view the eclipse.
"It has to be a beautiful day," he said. "This is obviously something that we've been looking forward to for a while. Being an outdoor venue gives us a lot of ability to adjust to whatever happens on that day, and having so many seats that we have. If the sun or the moon throws a curveball, to use a baseball slang, here at the ballpark, we'll be able to adjust."
For the first 2,000 fans through the Inspire Dental Gate at Swan Street, they will also receive a free pair of eclipse viewing glasses. However, you are encouraged to bring your own pair of eclipse glasses.
Free tickets for the event can be picked up at the Sahlen Field Box Office or can be ordered at Bisons.com/Eclipse for a $1 processing fee.
For more information, fans are encouraged to visit Bisons.com/Eclipse and Science.Nasa.gov/Eclipses.
Ballpark concessions will be available at the event with informational tables also present in the ballpark’s concourse.