Good Knight! – IronPigs lose a heart-breaker 6-5 to Charlotte

I arrived at the Park early this evening to take in some batting practice in addition to a photo op with my niece’s softball team. It was about the time during pre-game

FeRROUS entertains the Lehigh Township AA softball team.

warm-ups when the players are long tossing and I carefully tread my way behind them down the left field line keeping a watchful eye for any strays.

Phillippe Aumont was leaning along the wall in left by the PPL Picnic Patio. Standing next to him straining my neck looking up I asked how he was feeling. He said “Not good”. I asked if it was his back. He said “Yes”. I mentioned that the fans sure miss the 97 mile per hour fast ball we all hoped he was back soon. He said “Me too”. One could just tell Phillippe was not happy to be sidelined for any reason. At 6’7″ and 255 pounds I surely didn’t want to make the big man angry and wished him a speedy recovery and headed back toward the dugout.

It’s always a pleasure speaking with and listening to the media on hand. From Jeff Schuler to Micheal Lore to Doug Heater and Matt Provence the conversation is always insightful (and entertaining). As you may know the IronPigs (with Domonic Brown hurt) are playing with 22 players out of 25 and certainly need help in the ‘pen quickly. While it is not my desire to publish the rumor mill here, I

Ryne Sandberg

will say that if what was being tossed around comes true – we will all be surely pleased. Some moves are coming they have to be – but who and from where just may surprise all of us.

I caught a few moments with Domonic Brown in the dugout just after warm-ups. After introducing myself and Domonic acknowledging that yes he’s heard the bells, I of course asked him how he was feeling. Domonic said he was feeling fine and it’s just a small strain just above the bend on the back of his leg. He said he’ll take a few days just as a precautionary measure.

For me, Domonic has been a different player than last year when the boo birds were in full flight. He didn’t look happy

Bill Butler expertly lines the field.

then. In fact, it appeared he didn’t want much of anything to do with baseball at one point. It was sad to see the young man with so much potential riding the pine. The subject was discussed often with many fans and friends around the Park. The consenus among most was of course the mental aspect and some were downright (surprisingly) bitter about the whole thing.

Which brings us to 2012 and despite a few mis-cues in the outfield, I’ve noticed something different with Domonic this year. He is hustling on and off the field, smiling in

Domonic Brown

the dug-out, laughing with his team mates, signing autographs for the kids and overall looks like he’s enjoying baseball again. As we talked a little more Domonic brought up that very fact when I mentioned “It seems like something has changed from last year”. He said “You know nothing’s really changed much, I’m just having fun – trying to show the fans another side of me they didn’t get to see before.” I mentioned that he was hitting better than some Philly starters and with a perfect response he said “I’m not even thinking about that – I’m just having fun – working on my game.” You can’t doubt the influence of Ryne Sandberg on the maturation of Domonic Brown.

Following warm-ups D. Brown remained near the dugout while his team mates were dressing in the club house and appeared to be contemplating his next at bat or who to pie during post – not sure. Regardless, he’s having fun! Domonic then made his way to the kids (and a few adults) and signed autographs for nearly every one of them. He then delivered the flowers to the lady’s night recipients. The young man is making progress – progress on his way to successful Big League career – watch and see.

Harry Kalas sculptor Lawrence J. Nowlan and son.

As I was awaiting the softball team’s arrival on the field, a gentleman approached me noticing my camera. As we exchanged cards, he casually mentioned he was Lawrence J. Nowlan the sculptor of the very Harry Kalas statue that appears at Citizen’s Bank Park and as tonight’s give-away. What a great idea it was for him to throw out the first pitch and his young son thoroughly enjoyed his time on the field. Later, I was fortunate to locate Mr. Nowlan (with a little help) and spend a few moments watching the game with him. What a pleasure it was speaking with what may be one of the greatest sculptors of our time and a genuinely nice guy on top of it. He and his family thoroughly enjoyed their evening and had nothing but the highest regard for the IronPigs organization, Coca-Cola Park and the fans.

Despite the frustrating loss, spending the evening with family and friends both new and old is what LHV baseball is all

Kevin Frandsen makes lawn art.

about. From the usher who gave me a bp ball to give to my nephew, to almost putting a launch-a-ball in the big bucket, it doesn’t get much better than IronPigs baseball! Oh and I also discovered a new color – Provence blue!

Click here for the game story and below to hear The Voice.

Pig Out!

“Dishing Daily”