Kram’s Korner – Kramming the Suggestion Box Full

Kramming the Suggestion Box Full (part 1 of 7)

In my free time leading up to the 2011 IronPigs season, I’ve been spending my time thinking. I’ve been thinking of things to make the IronPigs experience better. Please don’t misunderstand; I don’t spend time or energy on something I don’t care about. I love going to the games, and I promote the ‘Pigs every chance I get with friends, family, and business associates—not to mention the money I spend on tickets and hats and food and drink. I want to make the Pigs better. No, I want to make them THE BEST. Some of these things might be impossible. Some of them might not be financially feasible. Some of them have already been done… I’ve got 31 ideas in seven areas. Perhaps these will get people talking. Maybe the IronPigs are listening. The talent on the field is the responsibility of the Phillies. These are things under “our” control.

Stealing a line from the TUMS commercial—and drinking parties everywhere—it’s something my body needs anyway. Topic number one is FOOD AND DRINK.

1. Food and Drink

a.The Pig Stop is a concession on the Club Level where the featured menu item changes nightly. In 2008, there was Prime Rib, Steamship Ham, among other upscale dinner items. In 2009 the Pig Stop mysteriously disappeared mid-season (I know why). Pizza and peanuts were still available, but no menu item. 2010 brought a new Pig Stop, with sandwiches and other rotating food and dessert items, but not as upscale as the original. I suggest the return to glory of the Pig Stop menu for real food/dinner choices. (Foreshadowing: I might suggest the addition of an on-site restaurant. Loved my nights at Bo Brothers’ in Moosic and McFadden’s in Philly last year.)

b. There’s a meeting room on the club level, to the left after you get off the elevator, to the left of the Kitchen entrance. Last year they served “free food” to club level ticket holders on the first Monday game of each month in that room. One month it was wings, the next hoagies, then corn dogs. It was kind of nice. I’d suggest, though, that they make better use of that space. There are some nice flat screens in there and some windows. Perhaps: The Iron Lounge VIP Area. Add Iron Lounge access to your club level ticket for only $X.99 per game. Hors D’oeurves, wait service, and the ability to watch the pregame show—and other televised sporting events—with sound, on select nights. WiFi access. Maybe some type of buffet? (Foreshadowing: I might suggest turning on the sound—or at least the closed captioning—on some of the screens on both levels. )

c. Last year, most Thursdays brought a pig roast to the AT&T Plaza. I suggest continuing to enhance special offerings at field level, in the plaza. We could add some other kind of special night during the week: Clam Bake Wednesdays? BBQ Chicken nights when the MudHens are in town? Brisket Sundays? Promote with local BBQ restaurants. Hey, if Reading can have seafood…

d. Adding local flavor is always a good idea. There are always people at the games who don’t live in the Lehigh Valley. I love going to games in other cities and having a chance to test some local food. My suggestion: Yocco’s. I know it competes with ballpark hot dogs, but adding a small Yocco’s stand out in left field would make it a destination and harder to get than the regular dogs—plus they would be more expensive. But, it would be unique to CCP and the Lehigh Valley. If Yocco’s isn’t interested, then perhaps some other unique local food vendor. (note: since this idea, The Gyro Company is opening in the park. Not exactly local unique, but it’s a start, and I’m all for it.)

e. I don’t know how sales are going for the Picnic Patio, but an alternate use would be to open it up for an ‘all you can eat’ night with the bracelets and whatnot like other stadiums are doing. Again, not all the time, just on occasion to pump up mid-week attendance and fill the patio with GA folks– or just people who are too hungry to find their way back to their own seat. Integrate with “Pig Out’ marketing. And certainly you could change it up with a ‘wing night’ or some such rather than the traditional ballpark fare—just don’t require that we purchase a patio seat. OK, I guess we can sell tickets without using the ‘all-you-can-eat’ trick. But in the future they should consider this…

f. Enhance additional non-beer adult beverages at field level. There are the occasional Bacardi and Sangria-like beverages available, but they are hard to find and there aren’t many choices. I’m fine with the beer personally—plus I can get whatever I want at the Club Level Bar—but my wife won’t sit at field level because she can’t get a non-beer drink easily (among other reasons). So I’m suggesting a selection of other malt or wine beverages at the Bud Light Trough might be a good idea for the ladies. Integrate with Ladies’ Night Thursdays? Special discounts for the Diamond Divas?

g. More suggestions from Mrs. Kram:
i. Pre-packaged salads at Hog Heaven in the club level and the Pizza Stand at field level.
ii. A nicer cup to put the $7 wine in at the FMO Painting Bar.
iii. Diet-caffeine-free sodas more available. (umm, water?)

Stay tuned for parts 2 through 7 of Kramming the Suggestion Box Full!