Monthly Archives: January 2014

January 26, 2014 · 9:12 am

Taking Care of the @IronPigs Season Ticket Holders: “Best Promotion Ever”

Tell your friends to call some friends and all of us can be friends
We can treat the weekday like it’s apart of the weekend ….

That’s a win win (for me)
That’s a win win (for me)

–B. Smyth (feat. Future)

—————————————–

Earlier this week, the IronPigs introduced a new perk for season ticket holders. It’s the kind of win-win thing I’ve been advocating for around here. Season tickets will have “added value” loaded for the first half of the season. The amount and the number of games it includes depends on your particular package. Full season tickets have $4/game. 36- and 18-game plans have $2/game. And, 9-game plans have $1 per game. They’re calling it, “The Best Promotion Ever.” Well, it is pretty good.

Here’s how this is a win-win:

For Fans:

Season ticket holders get some benefits. We don’t get any kind of discount on our seats, but this makes the medicine go down a little easier. Most of us spend some cash at the game anyway, and this will ameliorate our out of pocket expenditures.
The benefit is graduated: Those of us with more tickets (larger plan, more seats, etc.) get more benefit. Those who are spending more on tickets will get a larger perk.
It might not sound like much, but it does add up. Even if it only serves to buy your first soda or defray your parking fee, it’s still something we never had before. For me personally, it means up to $20/game based on the ticket plans I have.
It’s not clear if this is in place of our normal Season Ticket Holder Gift to start the season, but even if it is, it’s more useful to me than another pint glass or wall plaque or coffee mug.
The credit can be used not only for food and drink, but also at the Majestic Clubhouse Store for any early season swag you might need (ie blanket, one of the new hats…)
The promotion is eligible for standing season ticket holders, as well as new or re-activated accounts. All season ticket holders benefit.

For The IronPigs:

This is a chance to put some fannies in the seats for the first half of the season–when the weather’s not so agreeable sometimes. It might be just the thing to fill in those seats behind home plate which look so empty in April–and those folks will probably purchase a few more concessions, as well.
Because the plan was revealed now, it should allow the ticket staff to sell more season ticket plans in advance of single-game sales.
The graduated nature of the promotion may provide the motivation for some to upgrade their package from 9- to 18- or 36-games, or 36- to full-season.
It’s creating a buzz. I mean, it’s no urinal game, but publicity rules!

I’ve long been an advocate of season tickets–not just for the IronPigs but for any number of sporting events or concert series or what have you. I even wrote about it once here . This might be just the perk to welcome more folks to the club–or welcome back if their plan has been dropped.

The Fine Print:

Game credit has to be used on THAT DAY. It does not carry over to the next. Advanced: Make sure you have all the tickets in your plan with you when you go to the game, even if some aren’t being used. You can still use the credit. Also, if it’s a rain game, go and use it up before it’s postponed because I cannot see them giving us double credit on the doubleheader day.
Credit must be used at an IronPigs owned concession capable of accepting credit cards, or at the Majestic Clubhouse Store. For example, cannot be used at Philly Pretzel, Aw Shucks Corn, Nuts for You, Gyros. Advanced: I was thinking about how this might impact our friends at Philly Pretzel. I think more people in the stands and more money in their pockets can only be a good thing. We’ll see I guess.
This credit applies to games in the first half of the season, as applicable to your plan. This is April 7 to June 16.
If you transfer your tickets or give them away, the credit goes with it. Make sure you tell your guests to take advantage of it! Advanced: I wonder if this will be a boost for those trying to sell tickets via StubHub or CraigsList? Should be interesting to see. Wonder if they’ll try to charge more for their tickets…
In order to receive this credit, ticket plans must be paid in full by April 1, 2014. So if you’re on the fence about a plan, act now and you’ll have some time to pay it off. Advanced: I think regular renewed plans need to be paid by 2/15/14. I imagine that’s a soft deadline, but just saying.

More details are available on the IronPigs website.

See you at the concessions,

@Kram209

5 Comments

Filed under Coca Cola Park, Kram's Korner - From the Club Level

January 25, 2014 · 6:59 pm

2014 Phillies Winter Banquet: @CherylPursell photos starring @Druf15 + @Jon_Pettibone + @Cody_Smasche

I don’t have a lot to add to Dan’s previous post(s). I echo his sentiment: improvements were made, and the Sands Events Center did a great job. Sure, I heard a couple “I remember DeSales…” laments, but overall an excellent venue and and excellent evening. The bartenders and servers couldn’t have been better, or more professional. Kudos to them! As Dan said, the butler passed hors d’oeuvres were a highlight. Airborne rogue lens caps were a hoot. A good time was had by all. Special thanks to the folks at Philly Pretzel for the help filling our table. Also to Dan, Jason, and Cheryl for the support I needed to push ahead with the table reservation early.

A couple criticisms: I would have liked to have the bar open on the upper level–saving me the trip downstairs to the Visions Bar. The auction items were VERY expensive (but then, this helps IronPigs Charities, so not so bad..) And, …..golly, I can’t think of anything else.

If it’s 2015, or almost, and you found this post, thinking about going. Here’s what you need to know:

Beer, House Wine, and Coke soft drinks are complimentary. Mixed drinks are very expensive. ($12 for mine and it’s not like I ordered Pappy or Louis. Maybe I don’t go out enough. Also, get off my lawn.)
Go early. Make sure you can get in at 5PM or 6PM or whatever time your ticket allows. it’s a fun time and I’m sure you’ll find someone you know.
It’s not too late. I think we were done around 10PM. Last year I had to leave early because of an emergency, but actually didn’t miss that much. Take the kiddos. I know it’s a school night, but it’s worth it.
Reserve early. The earlier you commit, the closer your table will be. I think. Whatever. Just go.
You might not get that much contact with the players. But, keep vigilant. They did walk through the bar area before the banquet. And, they did mingle a bit during the live auction. Some years, they’ve been somewhat available afterwards. Remember, these guys are Phillies now, not IronPigs…
As Dan said, the food was MUCH better this year. But, you’re not going for the dinner; you’re going for the baseball part. Lower your expectations and take full advantage of the excellent appetizers. If it’s that big a deal, eat at Emeril’s and walk over after. Dinner for 1,100 is a difficult task.
If you’re really into it: stay over. Get a room in the hotel, do some gambling after the banquet, have a nightcap and relax. Who needs to go to work on Friday, anyway? 😉

And now, Cheryl’s photos. Enjoy:

Dan Kram and Jr on arrival

The Pre-Banquet Spread (extra credit if you can find the lens cap)

Cheryl, Dan, Jason, Julie, Kram, Jr

Our time with the VIPs. On our best behavior because of the Hall of Famer in the middle…

Stage pre-banquet

Players checking out the banners

FeFe and Matt Provence

Mr. Sandberg

Darin Ruf

Jon Pettibone

Cody Asche

Matt, Julie, and Jon

Sandberg Q/A

Asche talks about flowers….

See you at the hockey game,

@Kram209

PS: Big thanks to Cheryl for the pictures and video, huh?

4 Comments

Filed under CherylPursellsPhotos, Kram's Korner - From the Club Level, Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Tagged as Phillies Winter Banquet

January 25, 2014 · 1:07 pm

Video: IronPigs Charity Banquet. Sandberg, Amaro & More!

If you missed the IronPig/Phillies’ Charity Banquet on Thursday, fear not.. the great Cheryl Pursell captured some great video of the event!

Enjoy!

2 Comments

Filed under CherylPursellsPhotos, Lehigh Valley IronPigs

January 24, 2014 · 2:27 pm

IronPig/Phillies’ Charity Banquet

Last night the Horn & Bell staff attended the IronPig’s Charities annual banquet. It was a great time and you’ll likely get more details from Kram and Dipro soon, but I’d like to share some thoughts I had as well.

The Horn & Bell staff

I have to admit, last year’s banquet was disappointing. From the food, to the crowds, to the overly zealous event security… well it made it less fun to say the least.

I can’t say enough of how much better it was this year!

I arrived on time with Dipro and greeting us at the doors with a smile were IronPig employees! I almost expected them to hand me a giveaway as the faces are so familiarly related to walking into Coca Cola Park on a game day giveaway. I was immediately presented with a tray of bruschetta, which I accepted and was able to eat two portions before the server caught up to me and took her tray back. I took two more steps and a server offered me a lobster filled… well I’m not sure what it was called but think Red Lobster cheddar biscuit stuffed with lobster. Throughout the VIP reception (more on that later) we were continuously presented with delicious food. I filled up quick and headed to the bar for a ginger ale to wash everything down.

The gang soon gathered together. There were pictures being taken, lens caps falling off the balcony and a lot of laughs. The upper balcony had the banquet guests and we assembled in to get our photo taken with them.

The gang was friendly and well behaved with one, who shall not be named, did not mention recent transactions or that AARP had to be contacted in regards to player signings.

From there we moved to our table in the banquet hall. We couldn’t have had better seats! (More on the better seats later)

Our table. We declared it to be the “Sandberg” table.

The event began shortly after. Matt Provence gave his classic joke sequence, waited for the expected laugh.. and waited.. and waited.. and then received it. I can say I do love the jokes!

A very short “highlights” video was shown from the Pig’s 2013 season followed by a nice dinner.

I’m not sure how they got a chicken wing attached to a boneless breast but it was great!

During dinner there were some of the “lesser” interviews happening on stage. “Greater” in my interest was dinner so I missed most of those. The homemade cream puffs for dessert didn’t last long enough for a photo…

As the show moved on we got to hear from Amaro, Ruf, Pettibone, Asche and Sandberg. There was a running joke about Cody Asche having a Twitter Q&A yesterday where a child asked what his favorite flower was. The answer? He doesn’t have one but Pettibone finds dandelions delightful and Ryne Sandberg has a 3 1/2 foot tall undetermined species of plant in his office. Of note, fellow IronPig Tyson Gillies was also involved in Asche’s Q&A session, less than modestly asking who his most talented team mate is… among many other comical inquiries. (Check their twitter feed. They provide enough off season entertainment to keep any fan happy.)

At this point the live auction started. The auctioneer came out and in a raspy voice told us he had a bad cold and apologized for his voice. It was brutal but he made it through and some serious bidding happened to support the charity. During the bidding Pettibone, Asche and Ruf mingled the crowd taking photos and signing autographs. A nice touch that I hadn’t seen before except for a very “happy” Matt Rizzotti a few years back when the event was held at Desales.

Winding out the night were a bunch of thank yous, goodbyes, plugs for IronPig tickets and Matt Provence wished us well and it was over.. or so I thought.

The most impressive part of the night began immediately after the event ended. I wish I had set up my video camera to film what happened next but I didn’t so I will do my best to describe it to you.

Zero hour – Event ends

+30 seconds – Swarms of Sands employees emerge, begin clearing tables, folding chairs, cleaning trash.

+5 minutes – Nothing remaining on the floors except for tables and a few stragglers.

+10 minutes – Tables are all gone, stashed away… brooms are flying and lights are starting to turn off.

+15 minutes – Other than people milling around there was no evidence an event had happened there that night.

Earlier I told you how disappointed I was in the food and service at the Sands Event Center last year and I cannot say enough of how much more improved it was last night. We had a server literally stationed at our table the entire dinner period, we did not want for anything.. even so much as when a drink was spilled a runner was quickly sent to the bar to replace it. The food was served quickly, efficiently and was hot. Not warm, it was hot!

Rumor has it that last year the event was catered external from the Sands and was taken over by Sands following the rash of complaints following that catastrophe. My hat is off to the Sands Event Center and their great staff!

Speaking of complaints… well, not really but Kram will understand what I’m talking about.

We had a great table location. We had a great group of friends there. We had a lot of fun.

There is only one person we can thank for that and that would be Kram. For the second year in a row he has organized this for us, fronted the cash, made the arrangements, tracked down folks for seats, cash, rides. We cannot thank Kram enough for doing this for us!

It’s pretty clear I was impressed. I left with a smile and as I left the first thing I realized was that my ride home, Dipro, was no where to be found. I looked up. I looked down (I guess looking up wasn’t such a great idea… 😉 I looked all around. I looked out the window to see a beautiful and peacefully quiet snow falling over the Steelstacks and wondered if there were any Decepticons hiding out there. (Transformers 2 movie reference) The tranquility was quickly broken by an SUV sliding up to me with the horn blaring. Dipro had gone out to warm the car up and picked me up at the door. Thanks Dipro!

Anyways, I didn’t touch on any revelations from the speeches, nor details on the auction items or any secrets revealed but those will come in Kram and Dipro posts. Also, stay tuned for video as Cheryl was busy capturing video of the event!

OinK!

4 Comments

Filed under Lehigh Valley IronPigs

January 21, 2014 · 7:40 pm

Snowblind: Phillies Ink Abreu to Minor League Deal

“Snowblind, can’t live without you
So fine I just can’t get away
Won’t you throw me a lifeline
I’m going down for the third time
I’m snowblind, and I can’t get away”

–Styx

———-

As I pulled out of the garage to head out to work this morning, I pressed the button on my dashboard to link my phone and my car via Bluetooth. Then I activated my audio system. Before I had the chance to press more buttons, my iPhone picked a random song from among 1,200. You guessed it: Snowblind. Perfect for a day so blizzard-y that they had to postpone the Reading Phillies Banquet.

———–

News dropped this evening that Bobby Abreu–yes, THAT Bobby Abreu–had signed a minor league deal with the Phillies. It wasn’t a complete surprise to me. It had been rumored that the Phils were in search of a left-handed bat for the bench. I had been reading Tweets every morning from Jay Floyd (Phoulballz.com) detailing the exploits of Phillies prospects and related players currently playing in the Dominican, Venezuelan, and Mexican Winter Leagues. He had been Tweeting Bobby Abreu stats and the cat has been raking. For a while, he was hitting in the .400 to .500 range–now .322 over 180 AB. He’s getting on base at a .416 clip, with a .877 OPS.

Our old friend Reuben has taken his fare share of abuse over the past few hours for this signing, but it does make sense. The Phillies bench likely consists of five guys, right?

Back-Up Catcher: (Nieves)
Back-Up Infielder (who can play SS): (Galvis or Cedeno)
Right-Handed Bat: (Mayberry or maybe Ruf)
Left-Handed Bat: (open)
Man 25: Frandsen

So you see, there’s a spot. Abreu can likely supply the pop off the bench the Phillies want from a lefty–at minimum wage. He won’t get much time in the field, but might be able to back up Byrd or Brown if necessary. It seems like a win-win. Reminds me of the Thome deal from two years ago. If Abreu flames out, someone from the IronPigs should be ready to fill in or get a shot.

Is there a chance Abreu plays for the IronPigs? Not likely. At first I thought perhaps there was a scenario where that might happen, but as I look at the rosters now, I doubt it. In the mix for OF at LHV: Gillies, Castro, Sappelt, Gwynn Jr., Thomas, Ruf, Hernandez. That’s seven dudes for 4-5 spots. And I’m not even counting Hewitt or Collier, who will have to earn spots in Reading with the arrival of young bucks Altherr, Perkins and Dugan.

As with a lot of these Phillies signings, I say, “The more, the merrier.” More veterans for Philadelphia means more talent for the IronPigs.

——–

The Phillies also signed swing-man RHP Chad Gaudin who pitched in 30 games with 12 starts last year for San Francisco. He sported a 3.06 ERA. It’s a minor league deal, but I fully expect he’ll be with the big team as the long-man to start–filling in first in the case of injury given the starting rotation of Hamels-Lee-Kendrick-Hernandez-Pettibone. Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez is the wild card in this scenario. He could start in the minors, or injured, or push Pettibone back to the IronPigs to start the season. Gaudin’s had some trouble with the law which may have impacted his value on the free-agent market. From an IronPigs perspective, this should provide the opportunity for another quality arm in the IronPigs bull-pen.

See you in the snow,

@Kram209

2 Comments

Filed under Kram's Korner - From the Club Level, Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Tagged as abreu, gaudin, Phillies

January 19, 2014 · 8:06 pm

2013 IronPigs: The Year in Pictures–A Photoblography by Cheryl Pursell

It’s a common theme in recent years. We get past the holidays and into the new year, and we cannot wait for baseball. We can’t wait for the nice weather, either methinks. Perhaps one of these years we should road trip to Venezuela or the Dominican. Too far? I’m thinking about Spring Training next season, but that comes with a wait as well. What else to do other than remember last season? Without further ado, please enjoy this excellent “Photoblography” by Cheryl Pursell. What great pictures! It was as great a year as we could ask for sans playoffs or IronRail… ~Kram209

……

3 Comments

Filed under CherylPursellsPhotos, Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Tagged as ironpigs photos

January 18, 2014 · 11:40 am

Phillies Add Jim Negrych on Minor League Deal

It has been reported that Second Baseman Jim Negrych has agreed to a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. Negrych, who turns 29 in March, spent all of last season in the International League with the Buffalo Bisons. He played in 108 games and hit .285 while adding 3 homers and 27 doubles. He played in 91 games with Syracuse in 2012 and 48 games with Indianapolis in 2010. He came up through the Pirates organization. He’s never been to the Majors. As of this writing, it’s not clear whether or not he’s been invited to big league camp. Just as with the Cedeno signing last week, depth has been added in case of injury to 2B on the MLB or AAA levels. With no MLB experience, it’s very doubtful that Negrych has an opt-out, so he may be with the IronPigs for the season depending on how things proceed through camp. He has the ability to play 3B and OF as well. He was a fast starter last season, hitting .429 in April and .310 in May.

Negrych is an International League veteran who should add depth at 2B in the Phillies minor league system. His presence should allow the Phillies to keep Cesar Hernandez with the big club if they so desire–and may allow Freddy Galvis to spend more time at Shortstop.

It’s been rumored lately that Galvis may start the season with the IronPigs–just as he ended the past season–in order to get regular at-bats and hone his already superior defense at Short. I believe this may benefit Freddy towards becoming a regular Shortstop and shaking the “utility” label. But then, I’m perhaps selfish, as I love watching him play.

More news on IronPigs roster watch as we move towards Pitchers and Catchers next month.

See you at the hockey game,

@Kram209

6 Comments

Filed under Kram's Korner - From the Club Level, Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Tagged as Negrych

January 17, 2014 · 10:48 am

Might Be Your Last Chance

“Glory days well they’ll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl’s eye
Glory days, glory days”

–Bruce Springsteen

——–

Two years ago I was chaperoning Kram Jr. and DiPro on a road trip to Reading. As we approached the stadium, I told Jr that, “I’m not buying you any jerseys or hats today. We’re not here to shop; we’re here to watch baseball.” Of course, Uncle DiPro can’t be wrangled that easily. We ended up in the team shop, and Jr. advanced his allowance and purchased a sharp, navy Reading home cap with the stars and stripes ‘R’ for himself. It’s a really nice cap…

…and now it mocks me. It’s too small to fit me (and him, now) and soon after, they were gone. As you know, Reading is now the “Fightins” and the caps have feathery ‘F’ or goofy ostriches. Some of them are OK looking, but I just couldn’t pull the trigger on one while I was there last season. I wish I’d gotten one of those ‘R’ caps.

Like this, except in Navy Blue

And now…

Why am I bringing this up now? Well, we got the email today: The IronPigs have added clearance items at up to 50% off at the Majestic Clubhouse Store. Among the discounted items, again, are the Saturday, Sunday, and Away New Era caps–and their corresponding replicas. The New Era fitted caps are now down to $15 each (40% off), while the replicas are 50% off.

Say Goodbye…

As I speculated late last fall when these caps were first marked down, I believe some uniform changes are coming. I expect a new Saturday Jersey and corresponding cap. I expect the ‘pig head’ cap in powder blue–already available in the MCS–to be used with the powder blue Sunday pullover jerseys. And, I expect a new Away cap, perhaps with just a big ‘L’ for Lehigh (see the new Away jerseys which debuted last season.)

A source within the IronPigs organization could neither confirm nor deny the coming cap and uniform design changes. However, I did get him/her to admit, “I’ve heard the whispers.”

I sure hope I’m wrong about the Away cap. The ‘LV’ away cap was the first one I purchased, back in April of 2008. If it’s a new ‘LV’ design, or ‘LHV’ or alternate logo, I’ll be on board. I won’t be buying an ‘L’ cap. We’ve been over this before: It’s the region, not the University.

So if you’re in the market for one of those caps–either on-field fitted, or adjustable replica–now’s the time. Once they’re gone, you’ll have trouble finding them–just like I wish I’d purchased one of those ‘R’ Reading caps. Perhaps you’re not fond of the old caps, but just think, the new ones could be worse. You know, like ostriches.

Good golly…

See you in your new cap–or old one,

@Kram209

2 Comments

Filed under Coca Cola Park, Kram's Korner - From the Club Level, Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Tagged as ironpigs caps, ironpigs hats

January 13, 2014 · 9:33 pm

Phillies Sign Ronny Cedeno

Today, the Phillies signed veteran Shortstop Ronny Cedeno to a Minor League contract with an invite to Spring Training.

Cedeno appeared in 89 games last year with Houston and San Diego. He’s a veteran of 5 MLB teams and hasn’t played significantly in the minors since playing 75 games with Iowa in 2007. He hit .268 with San Diego last season with 2 homers and .366 slugging. He had a .985 fielding percentage with San Diego. His numbers were worse with Houston in the American League, across the board.

I have a hard time picturing Cedeno with the IronPigs. I see him as a defensive insurance policy for Jimmy Rollins, mostly. While I don’t know for sure, I would imagine that Cedeno has an opt-out reasonably early in the season, if not at the end of March as Yuniesky Betancourt did last season.

If for some reason Rollins is healthy and Cedeno makes the Phillies, then it could push a player like Galvis down to the IronPigs. However, I find that an unlikely scenario. An injury to Asche could also lead to a Cedeno roster spot to share time at 3B with Frandsen.

Like most of you, I’m looking forward to Spring Training games when we can start counting the players and putting some real guesses into the IronPigs Roster.

See you at the banquet,

@Kram209

3 Comments

Filed under Kram's Korner - From the Club Level, Lehigh Valley IronPigs

January 9, 2014 · 4:46 pm