Behind some key hitting Zach Miner threw 7 strong innings surrendering 3 hits, 1 run while giving up 1 walk and striking out 6. The hitting was led by (as Matt Provence called it SUPER Mart) Michael Martinez with a 4-4 effort and 2 RBIs via a 2 run homerun. Pete Orr went 3-5 with some clutch hitting by Steve Susdorf all while Josh ‘Okie’ Fields’ hit streak lives.
The ‘Mattcap’
Filed under DiPro's Dish, Lehigh Valley IronPigs
At yesterday’s autograph session Cody mentioned he was at the Black Forest Deli. When I asked him what he had he told me he was kidding and didn’t really go. Apparently just mention of the place is magic!
Click below for the “Mattcap”
Filed under DiPro's Dish, Lehigh Valley IronPigs
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
Many thanks to Donny Knepper and why not stop by LiftTheBan.net and grab a T-shirt to support the cause!
At this point we’ll put the Rose visit ‘out to wallow’ (unless we discover something extra worth reporting).
4,256 Dishing
Filed under Coca Cola Park, DiPro's Dish, Lehigh Valley IronPigs
First, I urge you to read Dan’s post -> Pete Rose Missed Out on Coca Cola Park – it’s quite poignant and frankly I couldn’t have said it better myself.
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.
Furthermore, according to Wikipedia:
A person who has been banned from Major League Baseball is barred from:
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!
Wishing Dishing
Filed under Coca Cola Park, DiPro's Dish, Lehigh Valley IronPigs
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!
(photo from www.awshucksroastedcorn.com – Go Visit!)
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!
The are two ways to vote and enter to win prizes:
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.
— where pigs fly —
Jon Schaeffer
Director, New Media
Lehigh Valley IronPigs
Filed under Coca Cola Park, DiPro's Dish, Lehigh Valley IronPigs
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!
Happy Memorial Day!
Go Pigs!!
Streaking Dishing
Filed under Coca Cola Park, DiPro's Dish, Lehigh Valley IronPigs
© 2013 Service Electric Cable TV and Communications , Inc.
In a recent post we discussed the upcoming Tri for Inclusion and the tremendous involvement of The Lehigh Valley IronPigs. With much thanks to Ryan Kelly we’re pleased to present this video piece produced by the exclusive home for the Phillies’ AA and AAA affiliates – the First and The Best Cable TV Provider – Service Electric Cable TV and we certainly thank them as well!
I agree Lindsey, “This is Awesome!”
Go Team Jared!
DiPro’s Dish
@JasonDiPro
Filed under DiPro's Dish, Lehigh Valley IronPigs
Tri for Inclusion at Parkland High School on June 29, 2013 at 8:30 am
Mikayla’s Voice Tri for Inclusion is much more than a race. It is a priceless opportunity for all children and young adults and an important message for our community. Kids of all abilities have the opportunity to compete side-by-side and together in something they had likely not dreamed possible or ever planned to do. Kids are able to sign up to compete in the swim, bike and run ~ or just one event as part of a relay team. Their efforts show our entire community that there is always a way to include everyone in everything.
If you’ve been to Coca-Cola Park recently you may have seen a video with Lindsey and Morris who have joined Team Jared and mikaylasvoice.org to raise money for this meaningful event.
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and then talking to Jared on a couple of occasions and in 2010 he was included in an IronPigs’ team set as the All-Star Kid.
While contemplating this post I arrived at the conclusion that it would be impossible to type the words explaining how Jared and his family have affected my life as a parent and a human being in the few times I’ve had the pleasure to see him.
You see Jared is one of the most amazing people I have met – ever.
Through all the adversity he’s always wearing his patented ‘Jared smile’. Here’s a young man who has experienced what most of us can’t imagine, yet he makes sure less fortunate kids receive Christmas presents – his presents! Jared is truly an awe-inspiring kid with equally amazing parents.
This past Sunday afternoon I found myself at Coca-Cola Park in front of a television with Jared (smiling of course) and his family watching a wonderful Service Electric piece detailing how Lindsey Knupp and Morris Morioka of The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are not only participating in the Tri for Inclusion but are also raising funds for this great cause.
Whichever IronPig employee raises the most for charity gets to ‘smush’ a pie in the other’s face and that itself may just be (almost) priceless but not nearly as much as witnessing the expressions of joy this event will bring to all the participants.
So, why not take some of that beer money or put that new golf club purchase on hold and give a couple bucks to help make sure that no child is left out of this experience for any reason. It’s something they will certainly cherish forever.
For donations to Team Lindsey – click here.
For donations to Team Morris – click here.
For further information about the Tri for Inclusion – click here.
Kudos to the IronPigs – especially Lindsey and Morris!
Thanks to Mikayla’s Voice for all the great work they do.
Most of all, thank you Jared for touching not only mine but countless other’s lives with your unyielding positivity and compassion for others!
Go Team Jared!!
————–
Don’t forget this afternoon at gates open at 5:30 pm. Before the IronPigs finish off the Rochester Red Wings the Miracle League exhibition game will take place followed up by the IronPigs’ Miracle League Jersey auction along with an EriK Kratz bobblehead giveaway! Click here.
“How do you like all that?”
DiPro’s Dish
@JasonDiPro
Filed under DiPro's Dish, Lehigh Valley IronPigs
My childhood home was 3 miles from The Lehigh County Velodrome (as it was so titled then) and I have fond memories of Friday night visits as a teenager.
When I discovered some of our friends had taken an opportunity to work for the non-profit Valley Preferred Cycling Center (as it is now titled), I contacted them to see what they were up to and what is happening this summer at the track.
So courtesy of Alicia Marinelli and Matt Hagen I had the recent pleasure to visit The Velodrome, located at 1151 Mosser Road,
Breinigsville, PA 18031 on a beautiful spring day.
In Part I of this series we’ll take a look at some hot off the presses marketing material including the 2013 Racing Schedule, Cycling Development Programs, and end with some views of a sunny spring day in T-Town.
(Don’t forget this Saturday’s (May 4th) upcoming VeloFest detailed in this post.)
The Velodrome has some exciting races and events coming this season – with Alicia and Matt on board along with Executive Director Marty Nothstein, it’s going to be a HOT Summer in T-Town!
Speaking of two time Olympic medalist Marty Nothstein, be sure to stay tuned for Part II where we sit down for a candid conversation covering his career, what’s coming up at The Velodrome and even a few other surprises.
World Series of Bicycling – 2013 Schedule
The World Series of Bicycling will bring Olympic action to the Valley Preferred Cycling Center every Friday night this summer. The Friday night lineup, starting June 7th, is a mix of sprint and endurance events that will bring the world’s best track cycling talent to T-Town this summer. Last season, VPCC brought in racers from 13 countries, including 12 Olympians.
Click image to enlarge
Air Products Developmental Cycling Program
For 35 years the Air Products Developmental Cycling Program at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center has been the starting point for many of America’s best track cyclists. From Olympic Gold Medalist and multiple World Champion Marty Nothstein and former Junior World Champion Sarah Uhl, to current champions Bobby Lea and Kim Geist; the Air Products program is recognized around the globe for its legendary graduates.
Click image for viewable/printable PDF
Red Robin Marty Nothstein Bicycle Racing League
The Red Robin Marty Nothstein Bicycle Racing League (BRL) introduces new riders ages 9-16 with no previous experience to the thrill and excitement of bicycle racing. The 2013 BRL program format consists of five teams that will practice and race for eight to ten weeks before the season culminates with the Team Championships at the nation’s premier outdoor track cycling facility, the Valley Preferred Cycling Center.
Click image for viewable/printable PDF
Spring Photgraphs at The Velodrome – click on any picture to start the show!
Filed under DiPro's Dish, The Velodrome, Valley Preferred Cycing Center
Valley Preferred Cycling Center – aka – The Velodrome in Trexlertown are holding their annual VeloFest on Saturday, May 4, 2013 and you don’t have to be a professional cyclist to check it out. There will be lots of fun, good food and certainly tons of cycling related items. Click here for the full menu. I’m going to check it out and you should too!
Aside from shopping, Clover Hill Winery will be present sampling their wine that is made right here in the Lehigh Valley. The Bud Light Girls will also be on hand sampling their popular margarita products including the Lime-a-rita and the brand new Straw-ber-rita. VeloFest also will be serving delicious breakfast and lunch options from Rodale Catering as well as everyday unbeatable prices on beer and wine. – from thevelodrome.com
Pre-Purchase your VeloFest wristbands and avoid waiting in lines! To be the first in the gates, shoppers are recommended to pre-purchase wristbands at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center offices at $10.00 per ticket. Office hours are M-F 8AM-4PM.
Money can’t buy everything … but it can sure get you some great deals at VeloFest.
We are days away from the nation’s largest cycling flea market held at Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Trexlertown, PA.
Bike shops, manufacturers, individuals, collectors and artists will be dealing all thing cycling from vintage and modern bikes, messenger bags, shoes, jerseys, bike art, tubes, tires and screaming deals on parts and accessories.
VeloFest opens bright and early Saturday morning, May 4th, at 8:30 a.m. We’ll be dealing until 2:00 p.m. Tickets are just $8 each, and free for kids 12 and under.
Eat, Shop, Drink, Be Happy! Enjoy delicious food, great deals,wine and sangria sampling from Clover Hill Winery, new margarita sampling from Bud Light, and an overall great time!
EVERY BUYER NEEDS A SELLER! Reserve space at this spring’s event to sell your stuff!
Commercial Vendors are on hand to reduce inventory, clear overstock and blow out current models.
Private Vendors from near and far make a semi-annual pilgrimage to the concrete crater for some serious iron horse trading.
Got Questions? Call Andy at 610-395-7000 x334.
You can also find more information at thevelodrome.com
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