Just saw a note on Twitter from Jon Heyman (@SI_JonHeyman) and learned that former major leaguer Super Joe McEwing will be the Charlotte Knights manager in the 2011 season.
McEwing, a native of Bristol, PA (Bucks County), spent time in the major leagues with the Cardinals, Mets, Royals and Astros. He had previously served as the Knight’s hitting coach and prior to that as manager of the Winston-Salem Dash (Class A for the White Sox).
So, he’s probably been to Coca Cola Park before, but this time in a more prominant role.
Not even close to the excitement as getting a Hall of Famer as the new manager.. but whenever local folks take the field at the Coke, you never know who you will meet in the stands.
OinK!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
Joe has family in the Lehigh Valley area so I’m guessing he’ll have a large group at CCP to see him especially since Allentown is the closest city to Bristol in the International League. Joe got his first callup to the major leagues with the Cardinals in September, 1998 just in time to witness the Mark McGwire/Sammy Sosa homerun extravaganza. He was on third base when McGwire hit homerun #70. Catasauqua native and former Yankees second baseman Pat Kelley was also on that Cardinals team. No matter what you think of the circumstances surrounding those events, it was a great time for baseball.
Speaking of running into people in the stands, my incredibly patient and understanding husband has agreed to let me spend a few of our vacation days admiring Ryne Sandberg’s
buttmanagerial style this summer. We prefer to support indie businesses when possible, and we have a particular fondness for historic mom-and-pop motels. Are there any such places in or around Allentown? We don’t need luxury accommodations. A roof and clean sheets will do. 🙂I personally don’t know of any real “safe” small hotels, but I would bet they are out there. I found this website: http://www.discoverlehighvalley.com/ , that lists local attractions, lodging, etc. on it. The Lehigh Valley also has a large amusement park, a casino and has a lot of Pennsylvania Dutch culture.
Does anyone else have ideas for folks traveling to this area?
Thanks! If we find anything cool that other visitors might enjoy seeing, we’ll send the information your way.
Also, if your dates are flexible there is a huge musik fest later in the summer, http://www.musikfest.org/ and also a Pensylvania Dutch Folk festival http://kutztownfestival.com/