Western New York dads celebrate Father’s Day with baseball

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Thousands of Western New York families gathered Sunday to celebrate Father’s Day, but one of the hottest places was Sahlen Field for the Buffalo Bisons game.

Grandpas, dads and their kids crowded the stands to watch the Bisons in the afternoon game before getting the 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 gave them a break from their busy schedules.

“We’re kind of spread out and everyone plays different sports,” he said. “It’s time to slow down, to just be together.” I was just playing catch with the boys and my daughter on the field. Just to be able to come out here with a diamond like that. Give them an experience they won’t forget.

The Kucharski family said that message brought them together every Father’s Day, as Mike Kucharski was joined by his father Jerry, 89, and son Brett.

“It’s spectacular to spend time together with the three of us,” Mike said.

Even some players from the game took part in the festivities, as Bisons pitcher Mike Mayers celebrated his first Father’s Day with his 9-month-old son.

“It gives the game a different meaning, for sure, knowing 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 children that they too will one day be able to pass down.

“I went to games as a kid at the old Rockpile in the 1980s, so this continues that tradition,” said Aaron Bartley, who was in attendance Sunday with his son Solomon.

Although life can go by quickly, this Father’s Day provided an opportunity for dads and their families across Western New York to just play catch, watch and play, and create memories .