Here are a couple of odds and ends that have been kicking around my desktop:
- Last week, the IronPigs introduced a downloadable calendar in both Outlook and Google formats. I use Google Calendar for my family’s comings and goings, so I copied it into our calendar and it worked great! This is one of the things that I asked for in last year’s pre-season Suggestion Box series. I’m very happy. One suggestion, though: I’d love to have a “home-only” option, as the away games don’t need to be on my personal calendar. That’s a minor quibble, though. It’s easy to just delete them. Other tech stuff: an update is available for the iPhone app–updating the schedule and promos. Also, it still appears that the Bypass App will have in-seat delivery for only the club level.
- “Pig Day” for the IronPigs is Saturday, March 3. It’s the day where single game tickets go on sale to the general public and all kinds of free and interesting stuff happens over at The Coke. I’ve never been. Again this year, I have work scheduled for that day. But, those who have gone in the past have said that it is a good time. Also, if you’re not a season ticket or package holder, then it’s a great chance to go buy tickets for the games that you want to attend—in a sense, build your own plan for the summer.
- I just got the email last night: it was a ‘heads-up’ for the IronPigs single-game pre-sale opportunity for season ticket holders. It will start Monday; a special link will be sent then. I was critical of them for not giving me more notice about the Phillies “pre-sale” “opportunity,” so kudos here. It’s a chance for me to get my ducks in a row if I want to pick up some extra tickets for this season.
- Rumors abound on the interwebs that the Phillies could be in the running for 19-yo Cuban phenom OF Jorge Soler. Of course, the other team mentioned is the Yankees. And, as we know, usually some other unknown team swoops in at the last minute. But it’s exciting news in Phillies prospect-land nonetheless. Reports suggest that he’d start 2012 at either Lakewood or Clearwater, but could be with the Phillies by as soon as the end of 2013.
- I’ve been thinking of starting a Twitter war with @realchrispbacon. I think he’s been lying about his training. Plus, with Diggity as a known cheater, that will leave me only Hambone and the new Barbie-Q to cheer for in the pork race. I kind of like the story lines, you see. Anyway, if you see weird posts from @Kram209, you’ll know why. It’s all in fun.
- Speaking of pork races, did you know that at Lakewood they have TWO races per game? The first one is similar to our pork race, but the other one is three eyeballs. As much as I enjoy our pork race from a soap-opera perspective, I think it would be cool to have three very similar characters and then have the staff find three random fans around the park (start in the Biergarten, then check the trough and the tiki) to wear the costumes and run like heck. I think that would be funny. Anyway, here’s the link:
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
Running eyeballs > running pork products. But what I’d really like to see is Pea Boy from Letterman’s old show.
Looking at the ironpigs opening day roster, there is a ton of talent! I am predicting a 90 win season and our first championship. Team is loaded with possible all-stars almost at every position, veteran starting pitching, and a bullpen that half the majors would love. 49 DAYS AWAY–LET’S GO PIGS
Of course a million things can go wrong: opt-outs, injuries, drama in Philly–to name but a few. HOF aside (right, I know. “How did you enjoy the play Mrs. Lincoln?”) as long as we have the skipper who has his team ready to play hard every night, we’ve got a chance. Last year I put the over/under for wins at 78, because that’s what SWB had the year before (I think). This year I think I go under the 90, but over the 78.
So far, I love what I’m hearing about Pierre. Don’t know if we’ll see him, though…