BUFFALO, N.Y. — Thousands of families across Western New York came together Sunday to celebrate Father’s Day, but one of the hottest spots was Sahlen Field for the Buffalo Bisons game.
Grandfathers, fathers, and their children flooded the stands to watch the Bisons in the afternoon game before getting a chance to take the field themselves to play catch and run the bases.
Chris Karczewski, who celebrated Father’s Day with his three children under the age of 10, said the game offered a break from their busy schedules.
“We’re kind of spread out with everybody playing different sports,” he said. “Time to slow down, just be together. Just playing catch with the boys and my daughter on the field. Just to be able to come out here on a diamond like that. Give them an experience that they're not going to forget.”
The Kucharski family said that message brings them together each Father’s Day, as Mike Kucharski was joined by his 89-year-old father Jerry and son Brett.
“It's spectacular to spend some time together with the three of us,” Mike said.
Even some of the players in the game took part in the festivities, as Bisons pitcher Mike Mayers was celebrating his first Father’s Day with his 9-month-old son.
“It gives the game a different meaning, for sure, knowing that he's in the stands cheering me on,” Mayers said.
But as much as Sunday was about the fathers at Sahlen Field, it was also about creating memories with their kids that they can one day pass along, too.
“I went to games as a kid in the old Rockpile in the in the 1980s, so it's continuing that tradition,” said Aaron Bartley, who was in attendance Sunday with his son, Solomon.
While life can pass by fast, this Father’s Day offered an opportunity for dads and their families across Western New York to just play catch, watch and game and create memories.