Epi 4 – Kram209 and I talk some IronPigs and Philly Baseball stuff.
Recorded after the double-header on Wednesday, April 24, 2013.
(stats are from up to and including the 1st game of the DH)
Category Archives: Coca Cola Park
NoiseCast – Episode IV – A New Hope
IronPigs 2nd Consecutive Game Postponed – Excessive Wetness
Amid heightened security at Coca-Cola Park, Friday night’s game between the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the Buffalo Bisons at Coca-Cola Park was postponed due to rain and impending weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader tomorrow, Saturday, April 20, with an updated start time of 5:35 p.m.
I ran into IronPigs GM Kurt Landes and thanked him for the increased security at the entry gates – I noticed every bag being thoroughly checked. He replied “You’re welcome, it’s the right thing to do” and despite whatever your personal feelings may be on the tragedy in Boston, GM Landes is absolutely correct by simply saying it’s the right thing to do. First class are the words that come to mind and what keeps this season ticket holder and many others coming back for every game!
“Please note that all gates open at 4:30 p.m. for Saturday’s contest. Each of the doubleheader games are scheduled for seven innings and only one ticket is needed to attend both games. Tonight’s Friday Night Fireworks show presented by Giant will be rescheduled (date TBD).”
John Mayberry, Jr. commemorative pint glass, picture courtesy @porkcenter
Saturday is John Mayberry Commemorative Pint Glass Giveaway day presented by East Stroudsburg University for the first 3000 adults 18-and-over. It important to get there early if you don’t want to miss out on this giveaway as there were a number of people in line Friday night to exchange their tickets. The weather appears decent enough on Saturday to have a spillover of fans from Friday’s postponement.
(click to enlarge)
“The first 3,000 fans 18 and older will receive John Mayberry commemorative pint glasses presented by East Stroudsburg University as part of Saturday’s 5:35 p.m. twin bill. A fan favorite during his time in the Lehigh Valley, Mayberry trails only Andy Tracy as the IronPigs all-time home run king.
Saturday’s game also features an authentic road jersey auction, with proceeds benefitting IronPigs Charities. IronPigs fans can bid on their favorite player’s jerseys from anywhere with the easy-to-use Qtego service that allows fans to place bids, receive notifications when outbid and check the status of their item via text messages on their mobile phones. Fans without texting access can even call in their bid after registering their phone at Coca-Cola Park. Register your phone from anywhere in the U.S. by texting “Pigs” to 79230. Detailed instructions on how to place your bid will be made available at ironpigsbaseball.com.
Winning bidders will have the opportunity to go on the field immediately following the game to have their jersey autographed. Bidders not in attendance at Coca-Cola Park can either pick up their signed jersey at a later date or have it mailed directly to them.”
(all quoted sections from http://www.ironpigsbaseball.com)
Hopefully everyone made it home safely since the drive home was certainly treacherous at times and we’ll see you at the Park on Saturday!
Semi-Moist Dishing
Go Pigs
Filed under Coca Cola Park, DiPro's Dish, Lehigh Valley IronPigs
NoiseCast – Episode 3 – LIVE – UNcut – UNcensored
Here’s Episode 3 finally!
Check out the intro for more info!
Enjoy!
[audio http://www.dccvoip.com/audio/NoiseCast_Episode_3.mp3]Game Results – April 10 (Video)
That is all…
(There was a little more but nothing worth reporting other than a couple hits with no runs and Steven Lerud throwing out a stealing Justin Henry.)
The game has been officially listed as suspended which according to:
Rule 4.12
(8) If a game is suspended before it becomes a regulation game, and is continued prior to another regularly scheduled game, the regularly scheduled game shall be seven innings in length.
So we’ll most likely see one of those dreaded 7 inning double-header games with the announcement sometime in the ‘near future’.
UPDATE: The suspended game will resume on Monday, July 8 at 6:05 pm followed by a 7-inning game. All gates open at 5:00 pm.
[there was some controversy on opening day regarding gate opening times – we’ll talk about it soon and hopefully all gates will actually open at 5:00 pm as Tweeted by @IronPigs]
Also, Due to the postponement, fans holding tickets to Wednesday’s game can exchange each ticket for a ticket of equal or lesser value to any remaining 2013 regular season game at Coca-Cola Park. All ticket exchanges must be made in-person at the Coca-Cola Park Ticket Office (no phone or internet exchanges). Ticket exchanges are subject to availability. Fans with additional questions are asked to call (610) 841-PIGS (7447).
Damp Dishing
Filed under Coca Cola Park, DiPro's Dish, Lehigh Valley IronPigs
NPF Softball Returns to Lehigh Valley!
Our friend Keith Groller posted this today:
“The New York/New Jersey Comets have announced two home games to be played at Coca-Cola Park, home of The Lehigh Valley IronPigs, in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The games will be played on Wednesday, June 19th, and Thursday, June 20th, at 7:00 PM against the Akron Racers.
Michael Neuwirth, Owner/General Manager for the Comets, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing Professional Softball to the Lehigh Valley Area for the first time this summer. We are very much looking forward to connecting with fans at the stadium and hope that this will be a great opportunity for the Comets to solidify a presence in the region.”
Read full story here.
This is great news! I loved the Philly Force and this could be our chance to get a team back in the Valley!
Jenny Finch after throwing a perfect game vs. the now defunct Philly Force
Let’s show some support for this team!
I did a little snooping around, National Pro Fastpitch’s website is still on my Favorites list, and found the Comet’s website.
http://www.cometsprosoftball.com/
In fact, you can already purchase tickets via their website!
The two games at Coca Cola Park are:
Wednesday June 19th at 7:00PM
Comets vs. Akron Racers
Coca Cola Park, Allentown,
Thursday June 20th at 7:00PM
Comets vs. Akron Racers
Coca Cola Park, Allentown, PA
Tickets appear to be General Admission only, first come first serve and $12 each for (as listed) ages 3 and up.
Good time folks! The Comets ownership is testing the waters. Let’s turn out and show them the Lehigh Valley is a premier city in supporting professional sports!
Filed under Coca Cola Park
NoiseCast – Episode 2 – Fightin’s – Pigs – Previews
Episode 2 has been freshly “pressed” and would have been up sooner but RCN decided to take out the entire Lehigh Valley! Oy Vey!
Give a listen – Give a comment!
Media Day Volume 2: NoiseNationTV
Special thanks to Cheryl for the camera work. She did a pretty good job keeping me off screen, which is important for the safety of all involved. Also, I swear I don’t sound like that, but that’s what everyone says. Darn. Maybe I’ll take up smoking…
Worry not, though. I’ve got a good day job so this is all just for fun:
..
First, we spoke with Ethan Martin about the title “Best Hair on the Team,” which was vacated when Michael Schwimer was traded:
He also shared that he’ll be pitching three innings in tonight’s exhibition with Reading. He didn’t say he’d be the starter…
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Next, a few words with Jon Pettibone, who will start on Friday:
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I had that seen BJ Rosenberg had had some arm difficulty early in spring training, but was happy to read that he would be “stretched out” to become a starter with the IronPigs. I asked him about it:
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A few words about wind, with Jake Diekman:
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I was a little nervous about speaking with Pete Orr. Not that I’ve heard anything bad about him, but as one of the last to come down from Philly, I didn’t know if he’d be too thrilled with starting the year at AAA. The truth is, he couldn’t have been nicer. Cheryl even got him talking about the WBC brawl with Mexico:
And a few questions from me about his role on the team, leadership, and…housing?!?
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The Josh Fields Story. It’s been told before here on these pages. And Dan tells it much better. I think Decal wrote about it too. It’s the thing of Coca Cola Park legend at this point. Heck, I should have let Josh tell it:
and some stuff about wine. Don’t ever get me talking about wine, crimony:
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A few words with JMitch. I had read about the injury, and there had been some speculation that the injury at the end of 2011 had impacted his performance last season. He’s a former top-10 prospect from the A’s system. He sounds like he’s ready to go. I think we’re going to like this guy:
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A few words about minor league history, and bullpen roles, with Zach Miner:
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Asking GM Kurt Landes the tough questions…and I broke my promise not to talk about urinals…
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It might not be the best, but I gotta say it was a blast. Special thanks to Matt Provence and his staff for including us in Media Day 2013!
Let’s Go Pigs!
@Kram209
Media Day Volume 1
Editor Dan, Photographer Cheryl and I made our way to Coca Cola Park today following an always-good lunch at the Black Forest Deli. We’ve got video interviews and more goodies to come. But here’s a couple nuggets to hold you over:
We didn’t get to talk to every player, but here are some of the general feelings I got from the locker room as a whole:
- The guys are happy to be here and happy to get the season started. Clearwater weather wasn’t great, so they’re not concerned about the early-April cold.
- The players feel good about the team this year, the teammates, the groups within the team, and the locker room.
- The veteran players know this is a young AAA team and know their roles will be dictated by getting the youngsters time at their home positions. And they’re fine with it. I didn’t get the sense that anyone was pouting.
- Everybody’s healthy; the players whom I’d heard things about minor injuries all said and seemed just fine.
Here are some more specific notes:
- Ethan Martin will pitch three innings tomorrow, but he didn’t say–perhaps he doesn’t know–if he’ll start.
- Jon Pettibone will pitch Friday.
- Justin De Fratus was able to find a Mass to go to yesterday, and Tyson Gillies was able to find Sushi.
- I didn’t get to talk to the new skipper, but he seems all business and was right in there during practice getting the team ready
- Director of Media Matt Provence was great, and around to help the whole time. And he would have done so even if we hadn’t bribed him with chicken.
And now, a couple of notes about the park:
- I did try the urinal game. Meh.
- The yogurt bar is going to be HUGE.
- The brat platz is in with the biergarten. I should have known that. It makes total sense.
- I’m not sure I understand the point of the social media center. Are people going to be allowed to enter it? Only with invitation?
- The front row of the bacon strip extends all the way in front of the bar. That whole front row described as “stools” is numbered metal chairs. Just pointing it out.
- The hot corner chairs were covered, so I didn’t get to try them out.
Now some photos I took of stuff around the park. They’re not Cheryl photos, but hopefully they’ll hold you over until the good stuff comes through….
The Back Row is GA, but still gets chairs…
Biergarten and Dietz and Watson Platz Grill
Hot Corner Covered. Screen in front is for BP.
Numbered Metal Chairs in the front row of the ‘strip
Front of strip extends all the way in front of the bar
Social Media Entrance is near the Lunch Pail
Full View of the ‘Strip
Tiki Ready to Go!
HUGE! I tell you, HUGE!
(also, maybe, messy, that self serve yougurt bar. we’ll see.)
See you at the park,
(tomorrow!)
@Kram209
Meet The 2013 Syracuse Chiefs
The 2013 International League season begins on April 4 with a four game series at home vs. the Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A team of the 2012 N.L. East Division Champion Washington Nationals. Here’s a look at the team that will be facing our Lehigh Valley Ironpigs. (Players of interest are marked with a **)
Starting Pitchers:
Yunesky Maya, 31 year old RH pitcher from Cuba. He is beginning his third season with Syracuse and was 4-9 5.00 in 2011 and 11-10 3.88 in 2012.
Tanner Roark, 26 year old RH pitcher, he was 6-17 4.39 with Syracuse in 2012.
Ryan Perry, 26 year old RH pitcher, he was a former 1st round draft pick by the Tigers and was traded to the Nationals for Collin Balester in December, 2011. He has a 6-6 career big league record, mostly with Detroit and he split time between AA Harrisburg and AAA Syracuse in 2012, going a combined 3-5 3.07.
Ross Ohlendorf, A veteran 30 year old righty, he has a career major league record of 18-32 with the Yankees, Pirates & Padres. He was 4-4 for the Padres in 2012 and 5-4 in AAA.
Danny Rosenbaum, A 25 year old LH pitcher drafted by the Nationals in the 22nd round in 2009. He was 8-10 3.94 in 26 starts with AA Harrisburg in 2012.
Bullpen:
Erik Davis, A 26 year old RH reliever, he spent the majority of 2012 at AA Harrisburg where he went 7-3 2.52 with 5 Saves. He had 69 strikeouts in 64.1 innings pitched.
Jeff Mandel, A 27 year old righty, drafted by Washington in 2007 out of Baylor University. He was 4-4 4.66 in AA last year and 6-5 2.58 with Syracuse. He was used mostly as a starter last year.
Ryan Tatusko, 28 year old RH pitcher. He pitched at AA Harrisburg in 2012 where he went 4-5 3.50. His best year was 2010 when he was 12-3 in AA.
J.C. Romero, A familiar face from the Phillies bullpen, the now 36 year old lefty has a career big league record of 34-28 with a 4.16 ERA. He is best remembered by Phillies fans for winning game 3 and the clinching game 5 of the 2008 World Series vs. the Tampa Bay Rays.
Jeremy Accardo, Another veteran, the 31 year old righty spent time with the Indians and Athletics in 2012. He has a career big league record of 10-20 4.30 and has 38 career Saves.
Fernando Abad, A 27 year old lefty from the Dominican Republic, he has pitched parts of the past 3 seasons with the Houston Astros. He was 2-0 with 2 Saves in the Pacific Coast League last year.
Mike Crotta, A 28 year old RH pitcher, he missed the entire 2012 season after undergoing surgery for a stress fracture in his elbow in April, 2012. He pitched in 15 games for the Pirates in 2011.
Patrick McCoy, A 24 year old southpaw, he spent all of 2012 with Harrisburg in the Eastern League where he was 7-3 3.70, all out of the bullpen. He also had 2 Saves.
Catchers:
Jhonatan Solano, The 27 year old catcher played briefly with the Nationals in 2012 and hit .314 in 12 games. He hit .250 at Syracuse last year.
Carlos Maldonado, The 34 year old veteran catcher also spent most of 2012 at Syracuse where he hit .210 with 6 homers.
Infielders:
**Chris Marrero, The 24 year old RH first baseman was a 1st round draft pick by the Nationals in 2006. He had 109 at bats with the Nationals in 2011 but a torn hamstring in the winter leagues caused a major setback in 2012. He spent all of last year at 5 different minor league levels and hit just .244 with Syracuse with 0 HR. Still, the power potential is there and MLB.com has him rated as the #12 prospect for the Nats.
**Jeff Kobernus, A 2nd round pick in 2009, the 24 year old RH hitting second baseman is among the fastest players in the Nationals farm system. He hit .282 with 42 SB at Harrisburg in the Eastern League in 2012. He is rated the #16 prospect for Washington.
Carlos Rivero, The big third baseman hit 15 HR at Reading and 1 with the Ironpigs in 2011 and then played all of 2012 with Syracuse where he hit .303 with 10 HR. He is still only 24.
**Zach Walters, The 23 year old switch hitting shortstop is rated the #14 prospect in the Washington farm system. He played at 3 minor league levels in 2012 and hit a combined .266. He was acquired from Arizona for Jason Marquis on July 30, 2011 and is considered an above average shortstop with a strong arm. Walters hits best from the left side but doesn’t have much power. His versatility is a big plus and he can play well at any infield position.
Will Rhymes, The 30 year old LH hitting second baseman has played in the big leagues for the Detroit Tigers in 2010-2011 and with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012. He has a lifetime big league average of .266 but hit just .256 last year in 46 games with the Durham Bulls.
Mike Costanzo, The 29 year old LH hitting corner infielder/outfielder made his big league debut with Cincinnati in 2012 but had just 1 hit in 18 at bats. He was originally drafted by the Phillies and once hit 27 homeruns in a season with Reading. He hit .262 with 9 HR at Louisville in 2012.
Outfielders
**Corey Brown, The 27 year old LH hitting outfielder is one of the most dangerous hitters in the International League. He was a former first round draft pick by Oakland out of Oklahoma State University and in 2012 he hit .285 with 25 HR and 71 RBI with Syracuse. He also stole 18 bases. You will usually find him batting either first or third in the Syracuse lineup.
**Eury Perez, If Corey Brown doesn’t bat leadoff for Syracuse this year it’s because of the presence of Eury Perez. The 22 year old right-handed outfielder from the Dominican Republic is the #7 prospect for the Nationals according to MLB.com. He was a member of the Dominican team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. He doesn’t have much power but he hit .299 with 26 stolen bases and Harrisburg last year before moving up to Syracuse where he hit .333 with 20 stolen bases. He is considered an above average centerfielder with a strong arm.
**Micah Owings, At the age of 30, the former pitcher with a career 32-33 big league record has decided to try to convert to an outfielder. He has always been a good hitter and has a lifetime major league batting average of .283 in 205 at bats. He also has 9 homeruns at the major league level. With those kind of numbers, most experts feel if he can do an adequate job in the outfield he should eventually make it back to the big leagues.
Jimmy Van Ostrand, The 28 year old RH hitting outfielder was a member of Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. He was signed by Washington out of Independent League baseball last year and played at Harrisburg where he hit .310 with 10 HR.
Filed under Coca Cola Park, From the Desk of Decal, Lehigh Valley IronPigs
NoiseCast – Episode 1 – Hawks & Hogs & Things
We are pleased to release our first NoiseCast episode of the 2013 with more to follow. Also, there just may be a few more (new) exciting things coming from The Horn & Bell in 2013 – Stay tuned!
Click below – give a listen – post a comment!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 