It was pretty obvious that yesterday was a rain out early on in the day. That’s the bad news. The good news is that we get treated to a double header today, the first game starting at 6:05. It’s looks like Savery will make the start in game 1 and Duckworth in game 2.
It really was a shame it rained yesterday. The Turn back the clock old time game theme was in full swing when I got to the Park. The scoreboard screen had turned into a static old time scoreboard and old time and organ music was piped into the stadium under a reasonable volume. No ads or promotions were being sent our way and it seemed like our previous post comments were seen and made into reality.
I did hear a lot of rumbling about the stadium opening when it was pretty clear it would be a rainout but I have a theory about why this is. If you really think about it, it’s not as terrible as you think. Now everyone knows if the stadium opens it costs a lot… from paying game day employees to parking to food and beer. I don’t feel that the collection of funds from concessions evens that out.. (you get a parking voucher if no game is played) no matter how long the rain delay is. For my opinion.. the reason those gates opened was to give the folks who ordered Picnic Patio and Party Porch tickets a chance to get their money’s worth of food. It’s no secret that these areas are sold out all season and no way to exchange for a similiar ticket. The Ironpig’s policy on ticket exchange (also that of the International League) is that no refunds are made and tickets can be exchanged for a ticket of equal or lesser value, if available. Had the gates not opened, there are no party packages available and the people who paid $25+ for those food packages get a $9 ticket in exchange. With the gates open, they get the food they bought and then can still exchange for the lesser ticket. At first thought, it does sound like “Oh those greedy sales people” but it you sit back and look at the whole picture… opening the stadium so these folks can at least eat the food they paid for is the better option. At least it is in my eyes.
So yesterday I posted a few notes about the new mascot outfits. It’s becoming very clear that there is not a fond reception of the new stuff. Some change is good, some change is bad, some change starts bad but grows on you and some change you just can’t… well change. React as you will, but I’m sure something will be done. You’re voices are being heard and I will go as far to say there is already brainstorming going on to correct this or make it more palateable. Remember, it’s not how you look on the outside.. it’s what you are on the inside and make sure to give those on the inside the love that they deserve because they might not like their makeover too. (Has your mom ever gotten a haircut she didn’t like? Making fun of her just made her cry and we don’t need a sad pig out there)
Final results of the poll as of this morning:
143 people preferred the old mascot
57 people liked the new
6 votes for the indifferent option
3 people just didn’t care
Anyways, today is a new day.. we have a double header going on and come on out and have some fun!
OINK!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
I know there were a lot of people upset about the fact that they called the game so late. I too said about the porches, duggout suites and picnic areas. The people who had tickets to those would have definately gotten the bad end of that stick. And, since they were opening for them, why not sell food. If you go to the game hungry, feel it’s going to be called and still buy food, it’s your fault! Tha’s why we eat before every game, even if it’s just grabbing Wendy’s or Arby’s.
As for the mascots, I hope they do modify them. The more I look at the pictures, their cheeks remind me of a chipmunk. I have said it before (not sure if on here or not), but I do feel so bad for the people inside of the costumes. It’s not like they designed them. If they would have designed them, they wouldn’t have looked like that!!
Here is the bottom line =
GiraffePigs
No amount of spin or perspective is gonna help that — it IS a bona fide disaster.
Should the people in the Gulf just learn to live with the oil spilled or should somebody do something?
The IronPigs should just fork out $ 8,000 and FIX this obvious costume problem.
The IronPigs like to tell everyone about how much money they spread around to local charities…
…one could make a strong case that the GiraffePigs are severely aesthetically challenged and are in desperate need of an operation.
The IronPigs should make a contribution to the FIX THE GIRAFFEPIGS cause.
What a shame about the rainout but I too agree with the reasons. I’d be upset too if I paid for a patio porch ticket and didn’t get to use it and be out that money. That’s just the way it is.
I hope they do the “Turn Back the Clock Night” theme. I’m old school myself and liked the scoreboard and the organ music that was piped into the stadium. I think they should do the organ music thing on a regular basis.
As for the mascots, they really do look scary to me. Imagine how the kids must feel. Something should be done about it. But try to at least show the people behind the costumes some loving because they must wear em. They didn’t make em.
Let’s play 2 tonight!! Oink!
Lost in the shuffle is the fact that =
the old Ferrous had a unique look distinctive for the Lehigh Valley
the new Ferrous looks like a Phanatic imitation
According to the Ironpigs website, Enrique Gonzalez is scheduled to pitch game #1 tonight for the Toledo Mud Hens. Gonzalez got called up to the Tigers today after pitcher Ryan Perry was placed on the DL by Detroit.
I got my first real good look at the new Ferrous and FeFe on Thursday night. It seems like they can move around much better in the new costumes but sadly Ferrous now looks exactly like what he is, a man in a pig suit. The old costume went down almost to his ankles while the new one exposes his human legs in a red stirrup like pant from the mid thigh down to the shows. It makes him too human. FeFe is the one who really looks like the giraffe pig. It’s sad, especially after seeing a video of the old Ferrous and FeFe on the big screen during the pregame festivities.