The Lehigh Valley IronPigs have created quite a firestorm of media attention with the recently announced Urinal Gaming System installed at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA.
The ticketing folks despite being quite busy were as always on top of their game and I appreciate the season ticket holder swag! Great job guys and gals!
What fortunate timing the day after the big announcement and the Park was chock full of people eager to talk Urinal Games. A few mentioned that it’s quite fun and surprisingly accurate.
According to the front office reaction to the announcement was for the most part quite positive. There were certainly a few that were downright displeased about the new addition and one who completely misunderstood what the Urinal Game was all about. Definitely a funny story – not really fit to print in this blog – but feel free to use your imagination.
The IronPigs’ Director of New Media and ‘radio guy’ Jon Schaeffer is the Whiz behind the reporting and responding to the myriad of media requests. “Schaeff” aka the Porcelain Prince is not taking this announcement Sitting Down and it’s likely his Number 1 priority at the moment as he’s clearly not Piddling Around with the constant Stream of inquiries.
Seriously though…
When asked his reaction to all the media and fan attention Jon said, “I think we realized that when we sent out the release it was going to receive a lot of fanfare. An overwhelming majority of the feedback has been positive, too. We are excited that it has raised awareness for men’s health and prostate screening. According to American Cancer Society, in 2013, about 240,000 cases of prostate cancer were expected with close to 30,000 fatalities. This is the message that Lehigh Valley Health Network will be communicating throughout the season.”
It’s important to note that despite all the media hype whether good or bad, there is an important message within all this. If the idea of Urinal Games can further foster prostate cancer awareness I’m not sure you can find fault in any of it.
Jon also mentioned, “The idea was actually tossed around by (GM) Kurt (Landes) and (former Director of Multimedia Design and Entertainment) Matt Zidik years ago, but never came into fruition because there wasn’t a supplier in the U.S. with the technology available. Kurt and Captive Media touched base and once it became apparent that it would be available in the U.S., our organization expressed interest.”
There you have it folks, the season hasn’t even started yet but in typical IronPigs’ fashion they have managed to create a buzz that probably hasn’t been seen since opening day 2008.
Only 1 week – 7 days – 168 hours or 10,800 minutes until first pitch. We’re certainly ready, the IronPigs are ready – Are you?
‘You’re In Trouble’ Dishing
DiPro
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
Disgusting publicity stunt. National media outlets mocking the Lehigh Valley. Bad Idea Hall of Fame induction pending.
Real classy photo …
Everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion but there is a the tongue and cheek aspect here – especially with the photo above which is obviously staged for comedic effect.
If you find the entire thing unfunny that’s certainly your prerogative and we are happy to provide a place where you can freely express your opinion. (while keeping it PG)
Anyone who has ever attempted to please everyone shortly realizes it’s an impossible task and such is the case here. However, in this case the majority reaction has been positive especially relating to prostate cancer awareness.
Hopefully, a few urinals (there is only 1 in each bathroom) will not affect anyone’s enjoyment of Coca-Cola Park and LHV baseball. I suppose if one would find the Urinal Games offensive they could simply avoid them and grab another or utilize one of the stalls.
I have heard and seen a few negative reactions but I don’t recall anyone providing a good reason why it’s so offensive to put a small screen above a Urinal. If anything it would seem at least it will keep the floor cleaner.
Finally, I encourage anyone who hasn’t to do at least read and realize how the whole thing works as there have been a few reports of complete misunderstandings and overreactions.
Be clear that while we are may be considered ‘fan-boys’ at times much like any of our posters it is our opinion at that moment in time. We are not hesitant to post negativity if our opinion so dictates. In this case it doesn’t seem to dictate – simple as that.
It’s down to 7 days until opening day and Urinal Games not withstanding it can’t come soon enough!
It’s not that it’s necessarily “offensive”. It’s more that they’ve taken the brand that they’ve carefully cultivated for 5 years and reduced it to a target for late night tv hosts….and everyone else who thinks they are such… to make awful toilet related puns over. Even the team’s own press release included a few. It’s embarrassing. This about prostate cancer awareness about as much as the “I heart boobies” bracelets are about breast cancer awareness. It’s about being provocative and getting the team’s name out there, albeit in a negative butt-of-the-joke way.
If you’re looking for negatives, one could claim sexism. One could claim it encourages drinking which would open the team up to potential lawsuits in the event of a crash leaving the stadium. Not that I agree with that but dumber lawsuits have been filed. There’s the matter of increased lines and congestion in the bathrooms. Yes, it’s only one urinal but if the line is out the door, those of us who are there to, I don’t know, watch baseball, wouldn’t be able to get to the regular urinals.
When it comes down to it, it’s a publicity stunt that is unnecessary.
Indeed, your points are well taken.
DiPro and I learned of this some time ago, but withheld the information at the request of the IronPigs management–hence the puns and funniness in a post titled “Top Secret”. Scroll back if you’re up for it. Or, not.
When we first learned of it I thought it was incredibly clever and cool. Even innovative. As I started to think about the logistics, though, my thoughts started to mirror yours above: Am I going to walk down to the 1B line restroom on the club level just to avoid that darn thing? We’ll see.
Unnecessary? Yeah, probably, but the free attention and publicity are something you can’t even buy if you want it. Plus, a “Major Chain” is going to have them all over the country soon, so it won’t be such a novelty after a few minutes. My guess is Hooters or Buffalo Wild Wings. We’ll see. I hope folks can behave themselves in there during “game play.” We’ll find out on Tuesday I guess.