BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Bisons are scheduled to begin their 2024 season on March 29 in the earliest game ever played at Buffalo’s downtown ballpark.

With Triple-A baseball extending its season to 150 games and building more off days into the schedule, the Bisons played their first March games this season on the road against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The home opener was scheduled for April 4 at Sahlen Field, but was postponed three days due to weather-related field conditions. Buffalo’s earliest home openers in stadium history were April 3 games in 2003 and 2012.

The Bisons enter the homestretch of the 2023 season playing 18 of their final 24 games in Buffalo. They are 3.5 games behind Worcester in the second-half pennant race.

Bills safety Micah Hyde will throw the first pitch for Tuesday night’s game against Indianapolis, which will be followed by fireworks. Proceeds from the Bisons’ mystery ball promotion, featuring autographs from Buffalo sports stars Josh Allen and Tage Thompson, along with Major Leaguers Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Hyun-Ryu [see full list below], will benefit Hyde’s Imagine for Youth Foundation.

Highlights of Bisons’ 2024 schedule

* Thirteen home weekends, with 39 of 75 games (52%) to be played on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

* The 28th annual KeyBank Independence Eve celebration on July 3 closes a nine-game homestand.

* Home dates on Mother’s Day (May 12) and Father’s Day (June 16)

* Game times and a full promotion schedule will be announced at a later date.

Mystery Ball autographs

Buffalo Bills

Micah Hyde, Josh Allen, Tre White, Matt Milano, Jordan Poyer, Kaiir Elam, Dawson Knox, Tyler Bass, A.J. Epenesa, Tim Settle, Dion Dawkins, Deonte Harty, Spencer Brown, Connor McGovern, Dane Jackson, Matt Barkley, Ryan Bates, Ike Boettger, Quinton Morris, A.J. Klein, Siran Neal, Boogie Basham, Nyheim Hines, David Quessenberry, Cortez Broughton, Brandin Bryant, Greg Mancz, Dezmon Patmon as well as Sean McDermott, Thurman Thomas and Darryl Talley.

Buffalo Sabres

Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens, Owen Power, Jeff Skinner, Alex Tuch.

Toronto Blue Jays Past & Present

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, Danny Jansen, Hyun Jin Ryu, Tim Mayza, Devon White, Tony Fernandez, Duane Ward.

Baseball Stars Past & Present & Future

Fergie Jenkins, Tim Raines, Carlos Beltran, Terry Collins, Josh Donaldson, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Luis Robert Jr., Angel Perdomo, Trent Thornton, Mike Hessman, Matt Hague, David Price, Danny Salazar.

Celebrities & Other Sports Stars

Jay Leno, Travis Pastrana, Vanilla Ice, Christian Laettner, Blink 182, 3rd Eye Blind, Jimmy Eat World, Little Steven from the Bruce Springsteen Band and actors John O’Hurley, Steve Hytner and Larry Thomas from Seinfield.