As you may know The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are now taking ‘applications’ for a lucky fan to become a Guest Tweeter. Among the many perks all @IronPigs tweets from that evening will be provided exclusively by the Guest Tweeter . Click here for your chance to join the fun.
#GUESTTWEETER (photo – Cheryl Pursell)
Tuesday night with thanks to @PorkCenter’s Kate I got the chance during the game against the Toledo Mud Hens where the ‘Pigs didn’t fly and barely got off the ground.
During the pre-game festivities I caught up with IronPigs Official PhotographerFrank Mitman who frankly taught me more about photography in 15 minutes than I ever knew. I mention Frank because upon telling him I was the Guest Tweeter he inquired how the @PorkCenter was doing so far this year.
Without much hesitation I told him that the @PorkCenter social media hub is one of the best additions to Coca-Cola Park since the original OinK sign. The more I think about it and much like Jermaine Mitchell’s recent release, it would be quite upsetting if the @PorkCenter was to ever leave the Park or if Kate Orme was not at the helm!
Speaking of Kate I would like to sincerely thank her again for the chance and the superb hospitality. It is truly an evening at Coca-Cola Park that will forever remain among the top on my list.
First The Box – then The Provence – then The Media.
The Provence.
[audio http://noisenation.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/lhv-recap-7-2.mp3]
The past two night’s the NY/NJ Comets faced the Akron Racers at Coca Cola Park right here in Allentown. I attended both games. Attendance last night was reported as “Over 800” and tonight’s crowd looked about the same.
800 fans.
800 tickets sold.
800 concessions customers.
800 people spending their hard earned money at Coca Cola Park.
800 smiling faces with memories of Coca Cola Park.
800 people who showed up despite very little public marketing.
We can do this Lehigh Valley.
Sure there will be obstacles. It’s a baseball field and softball fields have different dimensions. Some temporary fencing and temporary bases solved that problem very easily. The pitcher’s mound.. well that’s a bit more difficult but I have a solution. Softball pitchers do not really pitch off of a “mound.” It’s more a big circle with the standard pitcher’s plate centered in it. The NPF currently uses an artificial turf mat that is pinned down over the grass in front of the baseball mound. How do you solve that? Go back a few years and think about what the infield looked like in older baseball parks.
Image from the first game at Ebbets Field in 1913. Library of Congress
Check out that dirt pathway to the pitcher’s mound. Looks like a softball pitcher would easily fit while adding a bit of nostalgia to the park.
Granted, 2nd base would probably be permanently surrounded by grass but hey… it’s Coca Cola Park.
Moving along, the IronPigs use Coca Cola Park for roughly 72 days a year. Sure, other stuff might go on but that’s 293 days where it is NOT being used. It’s NOT generating revenue. It’s NOT making anyone happy.
The NPF has a 44 game season. That’s 22 home games that could be applied to using Coca Cola Park to generate more revenue. We saw how easy the field was transformed into and out of softball mode. Almost not an issue. Comet team staff handled ticketing while I observed IronPig field and concessions staff working as well. So the IronPigs get something out of this too! Concessions amount for a lot of cash.
800 people showed up without significant marketing. Imagine how many would show if there was a 22 game schedule set early in the year? Imagine how many youth softball teams would sign on to group nights at the park? Imagine if there was TV/Radio/Print marketing letting folks know about these games? How about bus trips? I am among many who would travel an hour or more to see minor league baseball in Reading before we had the IronPigs. There is no Reading or Scranton Wilkes Barre that would compete for a softball team. The drawing area would be much, much larger.
So you’re thinking.. yeah yeah, we heard this before. The Philly Force team crapped out. They couldn’t pull in 100 fans a game. I hear ya there. I attended many of the Force games myself but this is much different. The Force played at Bicentennial field which had the amenities of… well, there wasn’t much. Poor concessions, small parking lot in a difficult area to get to. They were out of the way and an inconvenience.
Coca Cola Park is thee Gem of Minor league baseball parks. It is set just a short distance from both the City of Allentown and Route 22. Coca Cola Park (even with only a few of its many concession stands open) has better concessions than most parks around. Coca Cola Park has beer!
Beer! Yes, Beer!
I’m going to use this as a tool to send a message to our local civic leaders and the management and ownership of the NPF, Coca Cola Park and the IronPigs…
YOU can make this happen. YOU can benefit from this. YOU can work together in a fair way beneficial to all parties.
We’d appreciate it if you gave it some consideration.
That’s what I have to say about that… What do you think?
Here at the Noise Nation we’ve been waiting all summer for tonight to get here and we weren’t disappointed. While only 2 of us had attended the late Philly Force games over at Bicentennial Park (defunct after the 2009 season) we all had high expectations.
Everyone celebrates… well everything! – Photo Cheryl Pursell
The first thing we noticed was the transformation of beloved Coca Cola Park to softball sizes. Uncle Marty told us about the fence erected in the outfield being 225 feet across and there was a temporary backstop installed to cut out the massive baseball foul territory behind home plate. Bases were place on the 1st and 3rd baseline and 2nd base was placed in the grass just behind the baseball pitcher’s mound. The softball mound consisted of a strip of artificial turf with a pitcher’s mound installed. This temporary mound shifted a few times during play and seemed to give the pitchers a bit of discomfort but it didn’t turn away the excitement of playing at Coca Cola Park.
Coca Cola Park set up for NPF Softball!
Speaking to the entire team (and away team) after the game every one of them had high praise for CCP. Several even mentioned they had already sent word to management that they want to play ALL their home games here in the Lehigh Valley. Except for an untimely light being turned out during post game autographs the CCP staff also did a great job!
Thrown out at 2nd – Photo Cheryl Pursell
Not all concessions were open but there was enough. Official attendance wasn’t obtained at the writing of this post but unofficially there was at least 800-1000 folks in attendance. One un-named IronPig employee exclaimed, “Who knew this many people like softball?!” The fans were enthusiastic and supportive although we did get caught in the crossfire of a spitball battle between two groups of young softball players…
Maybe it’s like Traveling in the NBA? – Photo Cheryl Pursell
Why we wondered where the pitcher’s foot should be – Photo Cheryl Pursell
Where the pitcher’s foot should be – Photo Cheryl Pursell
The game started promptly at 7:00 with player introductions and the National Anthem. Akron struck first scoring in the first but exploded in the 5th and 6th innings putting a huge lead that ultimately sank the Comet’s hope to win. Not giving up, the Comets battled in the bottom of the 7th but came up short.
My favorite part of the event followed. As is tradition in the National Pro Fastpitch League, both teams lined up tables and signed autographs for each and every fan who waited around for one. I’d say at least half of the attendance stayed and received autographs and photos with these great athletes. Although DiPro was a bit shy (yeah, our DiPro) he came along with me as I collected autographs and chatted with the teams.
Even better news, tomorrow the two team’s will meet again at CCP! Game time 7:00pm and tickets can be purchased online or at the gate.
Many thanks go out to all involved… the NPF, the Comet’s organization and especially to the IronPigs who allowed this event to happen. They would be key in any efforts to get the Comets to call the Lehigh Valley home. I sure hope they do!
You know I get chastised for it and I’m fine with that frankly but ‘dag gum’ the IronPigs keep coming up with fresh stuff that adds to the Coca-Cola Park experience. Who keeps thinking this stuff up?
While we certainly hope the Pigs Ride the Rails to the trophy, it makes me wonder if Lehigh Valley GM Kurt Landes has gone clothes shopping and has the lyrics to Purple Rain on his iPhone?!?
I can only imagine what they have planned for the Gildan AAA National Championship Game! (ticket link below)
OFFICIAL IRONPIGS NEWS
For Immediate Release
June 13, 2013
IRONPIGS AND RAILRIDERS ANNOUNCE “IRONRAIL” TROPHY SERIES
IronPigs-RailRiders Season Series Winner to be Receive Annual IronRail Series Trophy
(Allentown, Pa.) – The winner of the annual 16-game series between the IronPigs and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders will capture the IronRail Trophy along with a number of other unique bragging rights and incentives, the two clubs announced today. The 2013 IronRail series kicks off tonight at 7:05 p.m. in the opening game of a four-game series between the rivals at Coca-Cola Park.
“There is no bigger rival to our ballclub than the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders,” remarked IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes. “The IronRail trophy will come to symbolize the heritage and history of our respective communities and, over time, this rivalry.”
The winning team will capture the IronRail Trophy, currently being commissioned from a piece of reconditioned railroad track iron, along with the following “perks” from the losing club:
· The General Manager of the losing team will sing a stirring rendition of a song of the winning team’s choice while dressed in a fat lady suit (hence, the “Fat Lady has sung”) and be played for the opposing team’s fans on their videoboard after every home game victory between the two clubs in 2014 and beyond.
· An extraordinary team feed provided for the winning team and field staff.
· Bragging rights for the next year as the IronRail trophy will be on display in the winning team’s ballpark throughout the 2014 season and so forth.
Added RailRiders General Manager Rob Crain: “We want IronPig blood and I can’t wait to hear Landes squeal a few bars dressed in a fat lady suit.”
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre owns a 48-32 lead in the all-time series dating back to Lehigh Valley’s inaugural 2008 season although the two clubs split the season series in 2012. In the event of an 8-8 tie in future seasons, the club that wins the final regular season game will be deemed the IronRail Series Trophy winner.
Great seats are still available for all upcoming games, including the 2013 Gildan Triple-A National Championship Game on September 17 at Coca-Cola Park, and can be purchased in-person at Coca-Cola Park (Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), by calling (610) 841-PIGS (7447) or online at ironpigsbaseball.com. Two brand-new seating areas, the “Hot Corner” and the “Bacon Strip” have been added to Coca-Cola Park this season, offering IronPigs fans the most unique and distinctive seating and hospitality areas in all of Minor League Baseball.
Single-game tickets, mini-plan packages and group tickets for all IronPigs home games presented by Capital BlueCross, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Coca-Cola Park Ticket Office, online at http://www.ironpigsbaseball.com or by calling (610) 841-PIGS.
— where pigs fly —
Jon Schaeffer
Director, New Media
Lehigh Valley IronPigs
Triple-A Affiliate, Philadelphia Phillies
First, please forgive me for getting a little personal but on Saturday night my daughter graduated High-School and I gotta tell ya it was a proud moment for this father! Consequently, I didn’t make it to the Velodrome but look forward to next week’s report from T-Town.
Following the festivities at Stabler Arena as usual I made my way to a Lehigh Valley IronPigs’ game at Coca-Cola Park. Honestly though, I didn’t actually see much from the field of play but I was at the Park – promise ya that.
What I did see (on TV) and hear from the voice in my head radio was that the IronPigs offense is simply on FIRE and the pitching is not too shabby either – and – the IronPigs reached .500 since the first time way back in April just two weeks into the season.
Cody Overbeck and Darin Ruf each went 3 for 5 – Cody had 3 RBI’s and Ruf 2. Mini Mart ‘Super Mart’ as The Voice so named him (Michael Martinez) went 3-for-4 and hit his 2nd dinger in 4 games! In my best “Madden Voice” – here’s a guy trying to make is way back to the bigs – boom! In all, the IronPigs tallied 14 hits including 5 doubles and are now hitting a collective .265 – good enough for 4th in the International League.
The IronPhillies are lucky at this point to have such problems!
We are witnessing the talent mature at this point in the season after what seemed a sometimes painful start. Recently I asked Josh Fields and Steven Lerud about the team “jelling” and playing some quality ball and they almost seemed offended I was even asking. Since then I understand why – they knew – this is a good team that can (and will) play some great, entertaining ball – it’s fun!
There is certainly some fine young talent here from the aforementioned Darin Ruf to Cody Asche and the list goes on. Combine that with the already existing talent from the likes of Josh ‘Okie’ Fields, Cody Overbeck, Pete Orr, along with Jermaine Mitchell and I would venture to say this is the most talented IronPigs team – ever. The Pigs have been producing runs at will and have won 7 of their last 9 since the 4 game losing streak in Rochester. Did I mention the IronPhillies are lucky to have such problems?
Both teams have been painful to watch at times – no doubt. However, lately they both have been on a surge, mostly thanks to the talent brewed in the Lehigh Valley ala ‘Downtown’ Domonic Brown, Freddy Galvis, César Hernández, Erik Kratz, etc, etc.
In fact, I count 15 out of the 25 man roster that have worn an IronPigs uniform in the last 2 years (not counting Utley and Howard’s rehab appearances). Is that good or bad? Only time will tell.
Speaking of ‘Kratzie,’ let’s hope he’s ok after hearing his knee pop while running to 1st, but Charlie Manuel was quoted as saying, “It’s not good, It doesn’t look good.” A shame for Kratzie really who was on an offensive (and defensive) tear. Hopefully, Erik will make his way back in short order! If by some chance he doesn’t, here’s a guy who has dreamt of wearing Philly pinstripes since a young boy and actually did it. How many people can say they fulfilled their childhood, life-long dream? Not many! Godspeed Kratzie!!
Bottom line is, say what you will Philly fans (and reporters) but barring anything outrageous (and anything is possible) – watch the future World Series Champions emerge. Mark it down! (so I’m an optimist)
Certainly looking forward to the report from Kram209 who was scouting The Reading Fightins this Saturday night where they split a pair with the Harrisburg Senators in a makeup doubleheader. Jesse Biddle completed the first game receiving the loss (1-0) by giving up a solo homer in the top of the 7th. Big Z – Carlos Zambrano tossed the 2nd game and came away with a win! How they lookin’ Kram?
Recently turned 32, 3x all-star, 3x Silver Slugger (yes he can hit), no hit pitcher, 100+ game winner, and 12 year Major Leaguer, Zambrano is certainly an interesting story. From the Gatorade beat down to scuffles with teammates and even missing the bus plane, Carlos has some great pitching and hitting history. This guy after threatening retirement many times just can’t stop playing baseball. Regardless of his anger issues this man is a true competitor and even if he never throws a pitch in the ‘bigs’ again there are a lot of young pitchers who can learn from ‘Z’. Jesse Biddle you listening? Compete like Carlos (without the anger issues) and win a Cy Young! Mark it Down! (optimism remember)
Back at Coca-Cola Park, the Red Robin Tiki Terrace was open after the game for the 2nd Saturday in a row with live music. If you haven’t taken the opportunity I urge you to do so. Not only are most (if not all) of the IronPigs’ ‘family’ out there, so are many of the players. Everyone is relaxed (especially after a win) and it’s a great chance to get some words with them – it’s fun!
I may say this often and perhaps a bit too much but GM Kurt Landes and the staff he has surrounded himself with are second to none – period. It’s certainly part of what keeps me coming back to every single game and what makes the IronPigs the number 1 draw in all of Minor League Baseball. Also, and I probably mentioned this before too but the new folks who have only joined us this year are simply wonderful. Every one of them I have met has been the utmost professional and has brought a new and fresh perspective to Coca-Cola Park and they deserve a well earned – Thank You!
As mentioned if you spend some time after the game at the Tiki Terrace you may be lucky enough to catch up with a player or 2 and I gotta say that I take advantage of it whenever I can – it’s fun!
Jermaine Mitchell (J-Mitch) was the first I ran into this past Saturday night. Here’s a guy who’s in his 8th year playing for his 6th different team. I figure he’s seen some stuff ya know? I’ve been curious to quiz a veteran player about this year’s coaching staff and J. Mitch was the perfect candidate.
I mentioned to J-Mitch about players perhaps receiving different viewpoints depending on if they are with the Phillies or the IronPigs and which particular coach they were getting advice from. Mitchell could not have given a better answer. He said and I paraphrase, “Listen, it doesn’t matter which coach tells you what. It is up to the player to make it happen.” True enough and I appreciate Mitchell’s honesty. Let’s be honest, I appreciate the opportunity to get a chance to talk with these guys now and again – it’s fun!
Oh right the game…
Important Note: Phillippe Aumont after some recent struggles went 1 and 2/3 innings and surrendered no hits, no runs, not a single walk and struck out 4! Keep it going Phillippe!
Please let The Voice of the IronPigs Radio Network Matt Provence tell you the rest cuz who better?
We’ll do it all again in a few hours – game time on Sunday – 1:35 pm.
During research for my earlier post, I reached out to Donny Knepper who created LiftTheBan.net – a campaign to reinstate Pete Rose. Donny was kind enough to offer his unique thoughts on the matter while making it clear he does not have any knowledge of this particular event.
Mr. Knepper has presented a different spin on perhaps why Pete Rose’s visit to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs’ Coca-Cola Park was canceled. The Wall Street Journal article I cited before mentions Pete has a contract with Hit King, Inc. that runs through 2017 which Donny mentions below.
For anyone interested in still meeting Pete and getting an autograph he is scheduled (at this time) to appear on June 15th at County Line Fence and Outdoor Products in Warrington, PA – details here. Perhaps we’ll get a few words from Pete on that day and if fit to post they will certainly appear on this site.
Reply from Donny Knepper – LiftTheBan.net
Thank you for contacting me. I am the President & Co-Founder of Lift the Ban, LLC. We are the fan-based campaign to reinstate Pete Rose. You can find us online at LiftTheBan.net. We launched the campaign in February 2012. We proceed under the theory that if the fans come together and demand that Pete Rose be reinstated, then MLB will take corrective action.
The ban is the product of a private contract between Pete and MLB; and just like any other contract it is rescindable at the will of the parties. Lift the Ban strives towards placing social pressure on MLB so that it has some motivation to lift this ridiculous ban.
As for the cancellation of Pete’s Fathers Day appearance, I don’t have any personal knowledge of exactly what happened or who made the decision to cancel the event. I understand that many people are turned off by: (1) Pete charging a fee for his autograph; and (2) the strict parameters limiting what Pete will sign. It certainly does not help his public image, not that Pete really cares. I am sure there are many people who blame Pete even though it is not entirely his fault.
As you stated in your article, this is how Pete makes his living. A lot of people do not realize that there is an entire sub-culture dedicated to collecting sports memorabilia. Almost every notable former athlete is involved in the industry to one degree or another. They all have agents and most of them have contracts with companies who are in the sports memorabilia business. The former athlete is usually restricted by that contract and so can only sign certain things such as photographs and baseballs that are also manufactured by that same memorabilia business.
My guess, although I cannot be sure, is that the company who has a contract with Pete is the one who put the kibosh on the IronPigs event. Pete, by autographing an IronPigs baseball, violates his contract with the memorabilia company.
Pete Rose is still obsessed with his numbers. At any given signing-event he wants to achieve certain numbers; a certain number of items signed and a certain number of dollars earned. I don’t believe he does this out of greed for money. He is driven by something internal to achieve those numbers. In this regard, he is still the same Pete Rose that we watched surpass Ty Cobb. If he is not going to be able to accumulate numbers at a given event then Pete has no incentive to perform.
If you have ever been to an event where Pete is signing autographs then you know that he grinds out some autograph signing. It is one autograph after another after another after another until the damn thing is done. He takes very little time to chat with the person receiving the autograph. The guy hardly even looks up.
If you want to talk to Pete and get some good war stories then you have to hook up with him in Vegas where he lives and works. His job is signing autographs but he seems to have more leeway on what he can and cannot sign when he is in Vegas. Again, it all comes down to the different contracts.
Pete is certainly susceptible to all sorts of criticism for how he chooses to earn a living. I form no opinions on the matter. Pete is free to live his life any way he wants. Through running Lift the Ban I have heard many stories of Pete acting like a jerk. Those stories don’t matter to me either. We did not launch Lift the Ban because Pete Rose is a nice guy; rather we launched Lift the Ban because Pete Rose’s spirit is aligned with all that is good about baseball. Pete Rose provides the blueprint on how to earn success. In this seemingly never-ending era of artificial enhancement, MLB should be holding Pete Rose up as the example of what is possible with blue-collar desire and consistent effort. The banishment of Pete Rose is harmful to the soul of baseball and it has hurt Pete Rose to his core.
Lift the Ban is about more than entry into the Hall of Fame, it is about reinstatement into baseball. The ban does way more than keep Pete out of the HOF.
I hope this email is helpful. As I said, I have no specific information about the IronPigs event and so the best I can do is provide you with an educated guess.
Donny Knepper
— Donald M. Knepper, Esquire The Law Offices of Donny Knepper, LLC
Much like our esteemed editor I too am a lifelong Pete Rose fan (without the sweet Jersey). What happened with Rose is certainly unfortunate and debatable until the end of time but not really the point of this post.
Rule 21 – posted at every MLB venue
(photo courtesy Bryan Sargent)
(click to enlarge)
Let’s not fret for Pete though since according to The Wall Street Journal Rose makes $1 million a year signing autographs in Las Vegas (ironically enough).
Certainly there is no blame to place upon the IronPigs and kudos to whomever came up with the idea and for GM Kurt Landes for going along with it. While it didn’t turn out the way we all hoped a google search of Pete Rose IronPigs resulted in over 140,000 results while IronPigs Urinal Games only resulted in just over 21,900.
Regardless of all that…
As Dan mentioned in his post, Pete has appeared twice (in an official MLB capacity) in 1999 before a World Series Game (the Jim Gray interview) and again in 2010 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his 4,192nd hit when he passed Ty Cobb. (Rose’s lifetime hit total – the best ever is 4,256.)
Wait? What? Lifetime ban – huh?
So it seems when convenient the commissioner does make exceptions or at least follows the rules. (see below)
As announced by the IronPigs, advanced ticket sales will be refunded to those who purchased them with the chance to meet Baseball’s all-time hit leader.
You see folks, there’s the rub…
Rose simply cannot be advertised as appearing at Coca-Cola Park on behalf of a MLB affiliated team such as the IronPigs, can’t charge $20/autograph and his signature cannot appear on an IronPigs’ baseball.*
However, Pete has attended MLB games as a ticket purchasing customer. Hmmm, one might say.
A person who has been banned from Major League Baseball is barred from:
employment with MLB or one of its franchises or affiliated minor leagues as a player, coach, or manager, or in the front office
acting as a sports agent for an MLB player, coach, or manager
*maintaining business ties with MLB or one of its franchises [the cancellation reason], e.g., a banned person must purchase a ticket in order to attend a game [OK]
The exception to this is if MLB or one of its teams invites the banned person to participate in an event such as a public recognition ceremony. [the solution]
induction to the Hall of Fame, whether the person is living or deceased
So, Pete could in fact make that appearance at Coca-Cola Park after all and here’s how:
First, the IronPigs hold a “Phillies Special Player Recognition Ceremony“. For kicks we’ll simply call it 4256 night. Next, let’s say the first 4,256 people through the gate get a special (sponsored) “Recognition Baseball” with the number 4,256 written on it along with a random chance to have it autographed by Pete Rose himself! The sponsor takes care of Pete’s ‘travel arrangements’ and there is no business ties to the IronPigs. No harm – no foul… Right?
If not, just sell Pete a bloody ticket – he could sit at a table in the Red Robin Tiki Terrace – then what could be the problem? Right?
The whole thing is just silly. Right?
Will this ever happen?
The Magic 8 Ball just revealed – Don’t count on it.
But it sure would be fun to give it a shot if the IronPigs have the (Base)balls to do it!
OFFICIAL IRONPIGS NEWS
For Immediate Release
May 30, 2013
IRONPIGS’ AW SHUCKS ROASTED CORN CROWNED “LOCAL LEGEND” CHAMPION IN #FOODFIGHT CONTEST
Aw Shucks Advances to Final Four; Final Round Voting Now Underway
(Allentown, Pa.) – The IronPigs’ Aw Shucks roasted corn received the most votes in their bracket of Minor League Baseball’s #FoodFight and advanced to the contest’s Final Four, defeating 15 other creative and distinctive choices to be crowned MiLB’s “Local Legend” champion. Now it’s time to belly up once more and pick Aw Shucks roasted corn as the best overall ballpark concession in all of Minor League Baseball!
Final Four voting is now underway and runs through 12 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6. Cast your vote today and be eligible to win great prizes, including a trip to Coca-Cola Park or even a year-long supply of Aw Shucks corn!
Via Twitter: Follow @IronPigs, tweet the hashtag #foodfight and include the words “IronPigs” or “Aw Shucks” to cast your vote. Retweets count, too!
There’s nothing quite like biting into an ear of “Aw Shucks” Roasted Corn at Coca-Cola Park. A staple of IronPigs baseball since the 2008 debut season, Aw Shucks is comprised of locally grown ears of sweet corn brushed with butter and a secret blend of southwest spice and parmesan cheese.
Aw Shucks is not only a local favorite but also receives high-praise from visitors, including Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, who had this to say about the corn during a visit to Coca-Cola Park: “Now, I’ve been to many ballparks in my 52 years, and I’ve never seen a roasted corn concession at a ballpark. But this corn was … well, I’ll just say if I had my choice between a Kansas City Porterhouse or an Aw Shucks ear, I’d take the corn.”
The #FoodFight Final Four is comprised entirely of teams in the International League with the Gwinnett Braves (Knucksie Sandwich), Toledo Mud Hens (Fantastic Freeze Sundae) and Durham Bulls (Nuke Dog) rounding out the competition.
Single-game tickets, mini-plan packages and group tickets for all IronPigs home games presented by Capital BlueCross, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Coca-Cola Park Ticket Office, online at www.ironpigsbaseball.com or by calling (610) 841-PIGS.
The 2013 IronPigs baseball season is presented by Capital BlueCross.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs have now won 6 straight, 8 of their last 10 and are 1 game shy of returning to .500 after completing a 4 game sweep of the Norfolk Tides on Sunday.
It was a much different ‘tail’ during the last series with the Tides as the IronPigs were outscored 37 – 22 and hit just .225 with RISP. The bullpen struggled and surrendered an 8.18 ERA during the 1-3 series.
What a difference a week makes as the Pigs improved their RISP average to .324. The bullpen came alive and improved their ERA to 2.25 during the series and held the Tides to just a .147 average with RISP – .252 overall.
The Pigs are on the road for a 4 game series against the Rochester Red Wings starting tomorrow. Recent Reading Fightins call-up LHP Greg Smith (1-0, 0.00, 5.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K) is scheduled to go for the IronPigs against former IronPig and Philadelphia Phillies RHP Vance Worley (recently optioned from the Twins).
The ‘Pigs will try to keep the streak going with game time at 1:05 p.m. tomorrow. Lehigh Valley will return on Friday for a 4 game series against the Gwinnett Braves all with fireworks and the Dueling Pianos!
The Lehigh Valley Ironpigs had a taste of the Indianapolis Indians last week and came away with 3 losses and just 1 win. The month of April came to an end with Indianapolis as the only team in the International League to reach the 20 win mark. Their 20-7 record tops the Durham Bulls, leaders of the South Division with an 18-8 record and the North leading Buffalo Bisons at 17-7.
But if you think the Ironpigs saw the best that the Indianapolis Indians have to offer, you have another thing coming because on Friday night the Indians will be dishing out 240 pounds of Cole at Coca-Cola Park. In the June, 2011 Major League player draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates had the first pick and selected 6’4″ 240 pound right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole from UCLA. Cole almost went unsigned but just 15 minutes before the August 15, 2011 signing deadline, an $8 million bonus was enough to get him to put his name on a Pirates contract.
While at UCLA, Cole combined with current Cleveland prospect Trevor Bauer to form the best 1-2 pitching combination in college baseball. In 2010 Cole was 11-4 at UCLA while Bauer was 12-3 leading UCLA to a 51-17 record, best in school history. After Cole was selected number 1 in the 2011 draft, Trevor Bauer was selected two picks later. Bauer has already pitched in the majors, starting 4 games with Arizona in 2012. He was then involved in a big off-season trade that brought him to Cleveland where he just made his 2nd start of 2013, beating the Phillies Wednesday night. Meanwhile, Gerrit Cole is still waiting to make his big league debut.
Because of the late signing in 2011, Gerrit Cole didn’t make his minor league debut until the 2011 Arizona Fall League and then he began 2012 at Class A Bradenton where he went 5-1 2.55 before being promoted to AA Altoona in the Eastern League. He went 3-6 2.90 in AA and finished the 2012 season with 1 start in Indianapolis. He has made 5 starts with Indianapolis in 2012 and is currently 2-1 with a 2.31 ERA, but he has walked 15 in 23.1 innings which is a bit surprising because last year he walked just 45 in 132 innings. The scouting reports say he has a fastball that can reach 98 mph which goes well with a good hard slider. His curveball and changeup aren’t quite in the same category as his power pitches but they are improving. Besides being the number 1 prospect in the Pirates organization, he is also rated the 9th best prospect in all of baseball according to mlb.com and 7th best by Baseball America. If he continues to pitch well it won’t be long until he makes his first start with the Pirates, but, on Friday night he’ll be matched up against Tyler Cloyd in the Lehigh Valley. He’ll become the first pitcher who was selected first in the MLB Draft to start a game at Coca-Cola Park since Kris Benson pitched for the Ironpigs in 2008 and Bryan Bullington started a game for the Buffalo Bisons on August 11, 2008, coincidentally against Benson. Cole, Benson and Bullington were all drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Game 1 of the 4 game series on Thursday with the Indianapolis Indians is Dance Team Night and the game begins at 7:05. Fireworks will follow the 7:05 game on Friday night while the 6:35 game on Saturday is Hispanic Heritage Night in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. The first 3,000 adults 21 and older will receive a free Ironpigs Margarita glass courtesy of Metro PCS. The series finale on Sunday is at 1:35 and the first 3,000 adults 18 and older will receive an Ironpigs baseball cap courtesy of the National MS Society. It looks like it’s going to be a nice spring weekend so come out and cheer for the Ironpigs.
(photo from 
noisenation.mlblogs.com 