The Buffalo Bills top three draft choices visited the Rochester Red Wings Triple A minor league baseball team and their fans at Frontier Field in Rochester, NY on August 15.
Despite a rainy morning before the game, fans flocked to see rookie running back C.J. Spiller, nose tackle Torell Troup and defensive end Alex Carrington for an early afternoon autograph signing and meet and greet. After the autographs in the concourse, the players went to the field to throw out the first pitch and meet the Red Wings players and players from the opposing team (Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs).
Each one of the guys did well throwing out the first pitch and earned the respect of the Red Wings players who jokingly warned them not to throw any wild pitches. Carrington threw a nice strike down the middle. The 315 pound Troup, surprised the crowd when he threw a high and slow eephus pitch right over home plate. Spiller, of course, went for the fastball and it was an impressive heater that the catcher scooped up nicely.
The Bills players were impressed with the fans and thankful for the pitching advice from the Red Wings.
"It was exciting to throw out the first pitch," said Spiller. "The Red Wings gave us some pointers since throwing a baseball is very different from throwing a football. When I got out onto the mound the fans started cheering for me and it was a great feeling. Alex, Torell and myself definitely had a great day meeting the Rochester fans and enjoying a day at Frontier Field."
"The fans in Rochester have been great," said Troup. "I was really happy to see all of the Bills supporters from Rochester come out to the Red Wings game. The fans were very welcoming and I hope that when we play a game back in Orchard Park everyone comes out to show their support once again. There's nothing like playing a game at home with your fans."
The three Bills rookies were in Rochester on their day off and helped promote Kids Day at Ralph Wilson Stadium when the Bills will host the Cincinnati Bengals in a preseason contest on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices for kids 14 years of age and under are only $15 and the first 10,000 kids will receive Bills fun bracelets as the highly anticipated giveaway item this season.
Kids Day will also showcase fun interactive games, Buffalo Jills cheerleaders, Billy Buffalo, clowns, face painters, Bills partner displays, photo opportunities and more running from 3:00 p.m, until 6:00 p.m. A grand post-game fireworks display will conclude the Kids Day extravaganza.
For more information on Kids Day or other Bills individual games, fans can call 1-877-BB-TICKS or visit buffalobills.com.
