I stopped over to Coca Cola Park yesterday to pick up my ticket to the 222 Classic, exhibition game between the AA Reading Phillies and AAA Lehigh Valley Ironpigs on April 5th.
I had a few questions answered and came up with some more..
First, there are still tickets available to Opening Day on April 7th. Even some seats for those who don’t care for the grass in April.
While waiting for a very helpful intern to locate my ticket, I took the opportunity to check out the team store. Still no media guides, (March 31st I am told they will be there) but the Majestic team store has finally received a stock of Ironpig flags! Trust me, this is huge. After waving that 5′ x 8′ Red Ironpig flag in the outfield for two years I was asked countless times where they could be purchased. Now I can tell them, “Over at the team store!” This is good news for me and for the fans who want one. The flags are a medium blue with “Ironpigs” on them and of decent quality. Although the logo is screenprinted on, the base of the flag is sewn with metal grommets. At $36.00 each this may seem pricey, but it’s not. I went price shopping when creating our Noise Nation flag and can tell you that custom flags are not cheap. Granted it costs less to produce in quantities, but most places wanted close to $150 for a custom flag of the same size. I would get one before they sell out.
Also saw a new Ironpig’s bandana. Looks ok… might not fit my 7 3/4 hat size head.. but I overheard a mention that they could have been used during the “Intern Survivor” event. Makes me wonder if there will be a new promotion or Big Screen feature for this season? Speaking of promotions, those 2 Ferrous and FeFe themed racecar/go-carts are rumored to be included in the Toyota 500 race. Should be interesting how they are incorporated.
Get one question answered and open another question up.
Kudos and a special thanks to the intern who made an extra effort to get me my ticket yesterday as well.
Still not overly enthused with the “Pig Out” theme of 2011. Would much rather see a “Pig Safe” on the basepaths.. but maybe others are being realists about the team’s previous year’s performance.
Either way, opening day at The Coke is in 9 days; 7 days until the 222 Classic exhibition game.
OinK!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
Oh, those flags are fabulous. I’ve had mine hanging by the bar in my basement for a while, now, so that the fold marks will work out–it was creased pretty good from being folded in the package. I plan to hang it from my canopy during tailgating.
I hope to stop by maybe Friday, then, for a media guide. I’ll let you know how it is if I get there before you. Last year’s design was nice.
I think there might be a “free bandana” giveaway at some juncture. I think one of the “dog” days. Perhaps not as nice as the one for sale…
Oh mercy, “Pig Out” was definitely not thought through thoroughly at all…
Here’s the flag via the online store. Def. be getting one myself (when I get money).
http://ironpigs.milbstore.com/store_contents.cfm?store_id=116&dept_id=1793&product_id=18266
As a Reading Phillies fan who lives in the KOP area, am I looking at a disastrous commute if I decide to come to the game next Tuesday at 6:30? I would imagine rush hour is hell on route 22.
This would be my first trip to the ballpark.
Depending on what time you hit the Allentown area, it’s not too bad around 6:00pm. You can always continue on through 222 via the new expressway and then make your way to Tighlman street that leads you into the back entrance of the park.
From KOP you’re coming turnpike, I imagine? 22 is probably your best bet, and hope for no accidents. Kind of like our own little mini version of the Skool-Kill. I’ve got a short-cut version from the west, but there’s no big advantage for you probably. Hope you can make it.
Thanks for the comments. So I’m probably looking at an hour and a half around rush hour?
Yeah, game time is 6:35 that night, so if you leave by 5… Just hope for no accidents. One fender bender on the TP or 22 and the rubberneckers will have you at the park at 7:30. If you have GPS, set up to re-route if necessary in the event of a jam. Good luck. Usually, rush hour is worse westbound at that time, but no promises.
Thanks Kram. Maybe a Saturday or Sunday game would be better from a traffic perspective. I think I’ll hold off.
ahhh, I didn’t mean to talk you out of it. Give it a go; you get to see Reading AND Lehigh Valley!