1998 Buffalo Nighthawks

As a new expansion team for the newly formed Eastern division of LPB, there was a lot of hope for the Buffalo Nighthawks. They would play at the North AmeriCare Park, which they share with the minor league Bisons in Buffalo, New York. League president (and founder) Michael Ribant anncounced the new team at a press conference on May 15, 1998, along with Coach Kim Braatz-Voisard and manager Mark Voisard. "We're giving you a first-class venue and first-class fans," the mayor of Buffalo announced. A tryout camp was scheduled for May 31st.

Six former Silver Bullets players were on the Buffalo Nighthawks, incluidng catcher Missy Cress, outfielder Tammy Holmes, infielder Joy Kroemer, outfielder Kathy Morton, and utility players Pam Schaffrath and Tammy Ivie. Voisard was optimistic about their chances, stating "I think we've got the best core of talent in terms of hitting and fielding." He also, though, tempered expectations about the gameplay. "From a coaching standpoint, they're soaking in everything. There's a huge improvement from Day One to the end of the season. (But) if fans expect it to be the Bisons, Triple-A level, they're not going to enjoy it. If they expect it to be good women's baseball, they will enjoy it and be entertained."

The Nighthawks's inaugural game was in Buffalo against the Long Beach Aces on July 8 1998, and they won 11-7. However, the weather wasn't good (a 45-minute rain delay) and attendance was limited to about 325 fans. One reporter noted that the team had done "virtually no marketing or promotions" beforehand. To make matters worse, they had to play in their dark blue practice jerseys, as their official uniforms were delayed in the mail.

When the season was cut short, they ended up with an 11 win 5 loss record, champions of the first (and only) half of the season. Reflecting on the new team, league president Ribant declared, "I mismarked Buffalo. I take responsibility for it although Buffalo was great." But even clubs that had done well last year, weren't pulling in the same crowds. "We had crowds of 1,000 in Phoenix last year. I'm disappointed. I loved this project."

One reporter noted the lack of support the team had. They saw a small article in the Buffalo News on May anncouncing the team, but didn't see any promotion of the July 8th opening game. News didn't interview local players, and it took weeks to get game results into the newspaper. Similarly, the larger league wasn't supported, in that no one could find information about the other teams around the country, save for a handful of small blurbs reporting scores of a few games.