Category Archives: DiPro’s Dish

Only 140 days until the opening pitch of the 2012 Season!  In the mean time here’s a wrap of the most recent news and a preliminary look forward.

Coca-Cola Park

The construction of the Red Robin Tiki Terrace and Oasis is progressing nicely. The main steel support structure is mostly complete and as I was leaving CCP on Tuesday (11/15) another full load of steel was being delivered. Amazingly, the field is still exquisitely manicured. Bill Butler is the man!

IronPigs Coaching Staff

As previously reported, Andy Tracy has joined the Philadelphia organization as a coach and (former) Reading Coach Mark Parent has been hired by the White Sox. Thanks to long time poster Emily who found this article, it’s possible that Ryne Sandberg just may return to the Lehigh Valley in 2012. Could this be the first and only successful “occupy” campaign? We can only hope!

If the Phils decide to promote from within will we perhaps see former Phil Mickey Morandini from the Williamsport Crosscutters (Class A Short Season) make a move to Reading or perhaps LHV?  Former MLB pitcher Lance Carter and SS Jorge Velandia are also on the Crosscutter’s coaching staff.

The Clearwater Threshers (Class A Advanced) have a few former Major Leaguers on their staff as well.  Dusty Wathan a catcher has a history with the Phillies, Reading, and forerunner to the IronPigs the Ottawa Lynx. John Mizerock who actually managed 13 games for the Royals in 2002 and former MLB pitcher David Lunquist round out the Threshers staff.

Over in Lakewood, the BlueClaw’s (Class A) staff consists of former Major Leaguers 3b Chris Truby, P Steve Schrenk and IF Greg Legg who’s been a member of the Phillies organization since he was drafted.  Perhaps we’ll see some promotions from here.

With the departure of Parent from Reading (Class AA), Frank Cacciatore and former MLB pitcher Bob Milacki remain. Reading will be looking to replace their manager as well. There could be quite a shuffling of the staff within the Phillies’ Minor League Affiliates.

Let’s not forget we have Sal Rende and Rod Nichols to add to the mix. Seems the Phillies have various options to work with utilizing current staff but it appears they may need to bring in some outside talent especially if Ryno does not return.

IronPigs Free-Agency News

So far, free agents Pete Orr and Kevin Frandsen have reportedly been signed and Orr will be a non-roster invitee to Spring Training. It’s likely at some point we will see both of them return to the IronPigs in 2012.

IronPigs Fall/Winter Ball

There’s a number of current or former IronPigs honing their craft in fall or winter ball. Our own Reading born Richie T (Rich Thompson) has appeared in 9 games for the Dominican League’s Estrellas de Oriente. Rich went 9 for 35 (.265) 1 2b, 1 HR, and 9 SB. Former IronPig Mike Zagurski 3.00 ERA in 11 appearances and Philly Michael Martinez are also on the team.

Juan Perez (P) has appeared in 14 games and has a 0.00 ERA in 16 2/3 innings and has yielded only 5 hits for the Gigantes del Cibao also of the Dominican League.

SS Freddy Galvis who was named Phillies Minor League Player of the Year returned to his native Venezuela for the Aguilas del Zulia and is hitting .222 in 36 AB with 9 RBI’s.

Cody Overbeck, listed at 1B has taken to the Arizona Fall League where he is hitting .324 with 79 AB in 23 games.

There were also a number of other players that are listed on rosters of various fall/winter ball leagues but they had no listed uniform number nor stats.

Who do you think we may see back at the IronPigs in 2012 and who may be promoted either to the coaching staff or the lineup?

DiPro’s Dish – OinK!

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs have unveiled big plans for 2012

The Red Robin Tiki Terrace and Oasis

General Manager Kurt Landes donning a grass skirt under his suit and complementary lei began the festivities by introducing the increased partnership with Red Robin on the new construction at CCP. Mike Axiotis, Vice President of Operations for the Lehigh Valley Restaurant Group was on hand and spoke of his pleasure with the new Red Robin Tiki Terrace and Oasis. Construction is expected to be completed in January and has already begun with some concrete saw-cutting and removal.

Mr. Landes was keen to point out the overhanging seating where the first row actually is in the field of play – a concept not commonly found in any ball park. To me, this is a perfect addition to Coca-Cola Park and kudos to the IronPigs for making it so. The Tiki Terrace & Oasis has something for everyone from larger hospitality groups to smaller groups right down to the individual ticket holder including some things never before seen at Coca-Cola Park all under a thatched roof!

There will be both bar and food service available at the Tiki Terrace and Oasis. IronPig’s head chef Jan Giejda revealed he has some tropical based recipes in his cook book for the Tiki Terrace.  Jan also mentioned he has finished up most of the hospitality menu and will be commencing work on the other menus shortly. We fans certainly have some great new food selections for 2012 to look forward to from Jan and his staff’s talented hands.

The following seating options are available from the new Tiki Terrace and Oasis:

• Large groups:
  The Tiki Terrace is $37/person for groups consisting of 48-64. This will offer full bar service and a unique tropical themed menu in addition to regular ballpark fair.
• Smaller groups:
  The Oasis will offer a 4 seat table for $60 and is initially being offered only in nine game mini plans. This area will feature wait service and share some of the tropical menu in addition to regular ballpark fair.
• All ticket holders:
  The Oasis will also feature a 300 sq foot bar and 5,000 sq feet of covered tables and drink stands open to all other ticket holders. The bar will also include specialty frozen drinks.

Mike Axiotis (L), Ferrous, Kurt Landes and Red before the unveil

Kurt Landes and the Tiki Terrace & Oasis (note construction in background)

Ferrous and the New Tiki Terrace

The New Red Robin Tiki Terrace & Oasis

Red and The Tiki Terrace (note construction in the background)

Detailed view of The Tiki Terrace (note the overhanging row of seats)

A press announcement went out Friday with:

“The Lehigh Valley IronPigs will be holding a press conference on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 2:00 p.m. at Coca-Cola Park to issue a significant announcement regarding their home facility.”

Our minds started spinning wondering what this announcement will be… Can we wait until Tuesday to find out?

Thanks to DiPro… we might not have to!

To save any dramatics… here is what we got.

From the Modular Product Blog there is a plan to build a Tiki Bar around the bullpens in Left field at Coca Cola Park.

Images included from the source:

A rough sketch of the project

The Tiki Bar appears to wrap around and connect to the existing picnic area.

View from the field

View from the Kid Zone area

View from Kram's Korner, the club level

So, perhaps we are gaining another outfield bar, a few more what I expect could be “premium” seats and an area to heckle opposing pitchers in the bullpens. Not bad, really.

That space has been open and relatively unused for the first four years of IronPig’s baseball. A great use of space in our opinion. Might lose the golf game and speed pitch – perhaps they will be relocated.

The overhang seating does remind me of something the R-Phils had a few years back. I had the opportunity to sit in that section once and was impressed by the view and the accessibility.

Certainly that brings about a few questions should this construction occur:

1. Will this area be first come – first serve as the current Trough deck area is?

2. If not, will the seating and tickets be available to individuals or just as a “party package” to groups? If it is groups only, hopefully the minimum will be low – 5+ seems acceptable. This would allow smaller groups to take advantage of the amenities.

3. With two bars in the outfield, will more restroom facilities be required??

4. Will security be increased in the outfield area?

5. I hope they spell Lincoln correctly. (probably just scratch drawings)

Anyway, the good news of a possible Tiki Bar behind the bullpen has me in smiles tonight.

Many, many thanks to Dipro for digging this out and…

OinK!

Sounds like a good idea to me!

The Red Wings will host a World Series Party, on Wednesday, October 19.

Fans can enjoy the comfort of Frontier Field’s suite level High Falls Lounge, Press Box and an assortment of individual Diamond Suites. The all-you-can-eat menu includes toasted ravioli, chicken wings, baked ziti, cheeseburgers and hamburgers, red and white hot dogs, veggie burgers, snacks, cookies and Coca-Cola products. Beer and wine will be available for purchase at a cash bar.

Fans will have the choice of either a basic ticket, or a private suite with suite attendant service (minimum of 12 guests required for a private suite).

Tickets are $25 per person for a basic ticket, or $35 per person for a private suite ticket (minimum of 12 guests).

OinK On!

Thanks to reader RD who pointed out there was a discrepancy between the schedule posted by the IronPigs and the Press Release from SWB. (Which turns out not to be a discrepancy – just somewhat confusing)

Mike Vander Woude, media relations director for SWB stated via e-mail that the SWB Press Release from IL HQ is 100% correct.

I have just now learned that (4/5-4/6) will wind up being HOME games in exchange for two others (so we have Opening Day as a home series) and an announcement is forth coming.

Seems the (4/28-4/29) games have been changed to SWB home games at CCP and the (4/5-4/6) games have now become IronPig’s home games against SWB.

Regardless 4/5 lives on as our new (now) HOME opener and it sounds good to me! Only 188 days to go!

OinK On!