IronPigs – Opening Day 2012 – Around the Park

The anticipation – the countdown – the long winter – media day – it  was all done – opening day 2012 had finally arrived. The sky was clear, the Spring air was crisp and the wind wafted that familiar ball park scent that is so fondly remembered from seasons past.

The gates opened at 5:00pm to start the festivities and the queue arrived early in anticipation of the 5th Anniversary

Print sponsored by Service Electric. Larry Holmes and the Lehigh University’s (Duke) upset Basketball Team were also on hand. And of course the IronPigs were playing!

After the always pleasant and courteous service from the ticket office folks, I moved on to the Administrative Offices to spend a few moments with Receptionist Pat Golden. I’ve seen Pat throughout the fall/winter and each time we discussed the upcoming season. I wanted to know her thoughts now that opening day had arrived and Pat was kind enough to oblige.

“I wait 6 months for this and I’m estatic right now especially that it’s so beautiful out. I think this is our best week ever for opening week weather wise – it can’t get any better than this!” Pat’s score prediction was “Pigs all the way! We gotta beat those Yankees! Score 4-2”
-Receptionist Extraordinaire Pat Golden

Strolling to the East Gate I recognized a familiar face, one that I’ve actually know for over 30 years. I called out – Marty! And there he was, the infamous umpire’s attendant and IronPigs documentary star ‘Uncle’ Marty Ondrovic.

As many 40 somethings who fondly remember Marty umpiring our Summer and High-School leagues, I said to him

“You used to umpire our games back in the day.” Uncle Marty replied: “I still do!” Next, I mention recalling Marty writing the score in the dirt between innings and in his signature bellowing voice he again said: “I still do!” That’s the Marty Ondrovic I remember and now in his 80’s you’ll find his enthusiasm and knowledge of Lehigh Valley Sports unsurpassed.

We chatted a bit more about Dean & Denton Lakatosh both fixtures in Lehigh Valley Sports for many years who also played some minor league ball back in the mid 1950’s.

Marty has been in the game for countless years and I was curious what he was feeling on this particular opening day which he’s been a part of so many times in one way or another.

“Well the weather was real nice in March, but now if you see I have a hoodie on and a coat – it sure got colder. Oh yeah, all excited about a new season starting – I’m way ahead of the game as far as rubbing baseballs. I usually do 10 dozen balls a game and believe or not we go through 8 or 9 dozen baseballs in a game and I must have at least 40 cases or 40 dozen ready to go.”
-Umpire Attendant Marty Ondrovic

I can bet that if Baseball Scuffer Magazine created a top 100 list – Uncle Marty would win the Golden Scuffer Award!

As I made my to the Club Level I ran into Nick Wootsick, Manager, Events & Catering. I’ve also seen Nick a few times during the Winter and while on the subject of opening day let’s see what Nick had to say.

“First thought is getting back to the playoffs and hopefully wining the Championship”. Upon listening to my recording I believe I interrupted Nick’s next thought with with my request for his score prediction – sorry about that Nick and thanks for giving me a few moments during a busy opening day. Nick’s score prediction  7-3 ‘Pigs.

Roaming the concourse I encountered Kesha Patterson who put the deuce on the back of my latest Jersey while working in the Majestic Clubhouse Store. Her concession stand is just in front of the section where my season ticket is located. I know Kesha is a big sports fan so let’s see what she had to say about the arrival of opening day.

“I’m very very excited I can’t wait to get the game started. All day I was just thinking about it – they have a lot of new changes even from the small things like the cool decorations. Sandberg is back and I think it’s really going to be a great year! Kesha’s score prediction 5-2 IronPigs”.
-Concessions and Majestic Clubhouse Jersey iron-on Expert, Kesha Patterson

I must have seen Jan Giejda nearly 15 times all around CCP including the Tiki Terrace. Jan is always kind to stop and chat about his menu fare and the food we all enjoy on a nightly basis. Jan was very busy so we’ll get a chance to catch

up with him in the future.

Later in the evening as the weather grew colder the logical place to gain some warmth was back up to the club level although a bit chili to sit in my seat .

The food lines were long – even Bypass Lane had a longer then normal wait so I worked my over to the Pig Stop to see what Jan had cooked up this evening. The Life Saver looked delicious and the  item was so popular they needed to re-stock.

The Life Saver certainly didn’t disappoint and as I was concentrating on taking photos of the menu sign, I heard a voice jokingly say  “I’m sorry, I’m going to have decline any photos”.  Sure enough wasn’t it Chef Jan! Jan has got to be the hardest working Chef in Baseball and that sandwich was amazing and I’m looking forward to tonight’s.

Since the end of my trip Around the Park was nearly complete I had one further place to visit – The Press Box. All of the media boys were in there toiling away on their laptops using Tweetdeck, opening web pages , and tallying their

score books.

When they had a moment I paid a quick visit to the Radio Broadcast room, it’s always entertaining to listen to Matt and Jon but to hear them in person is an interesting experience. There really should be a live webcam broadcasting those guys even without audio as their interaction is at times quite comical.

That was about it for the Around the Park opening night tour and it’s always a pleasure to visit with the IronPigs staff.

PIG OUT

DiPro’s Dish