Category Archives: Lehigh Valley IronPigs

February 22, 2014 · 7:02 am

Mount Rushmore for the @IronPigs

I suppose we can blame LeBron James for all this. Everyone wants to talk about Mount Rushmore now. Mount Rushmore for broadcasters? Really? OK.

So, Mt. PigMore

We have to chip in. It’s been six full seasons and I’m ready to make a Mt. Rushmore for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Mt PigMore: Tracy, Brown, Sandberg, and Thompson

Andy Tracy

Those early teams were dreadful. But people came to the park and the one player they loved to see was Andy Tracy. He was on first every night and was always a threat to hit a home run. He was always engaging with fans, whether it was easy autographs for the kiddos or tipping one back like a local. Great player. Great guy. And he still visits as the Phillies’ roving hitting instructor.

Domonic Brown

I know what you’re thinking, but we haven’t really developed a ton of talent here in the Lehigh Valley. There are many reasons for this, but Brown is the guy who spent a significant amount of time with the IronPigs and now has gone on to become a starter with the Phillies. I know he was boo’d. (And I still maintain it didn’t help him and made us as fans look bad, but I digress.) I know he made some dreadful plays in the field. But, ultimately, what he did here allowed him to become an integral part of the Phillies. And for that he gets a spot. From everything I’ve heard, he was always forthcoming with the fans and the media, locally, too.

Ryne Sandberg

And not because he is in the Hall of Fame as a player. In a way, in spite of that. He brought winning baseball to a franchise that had never been above .500 for even one day. And it was never about him. You want to sell his autograph on Ebay? Fine, but he signed them for free every single night at Coca Cola Park. He was often the first one signing and the last one done. He and his wife participated in whatever promotions or charity work the IronPigs organization asked. His teams played hard every single night with an attention to detail not previously seen in these parts. By the end of the 2014 season, I predict the Philadelphia Phaithful will be on board as well.

Rich Thompson

He bridged the gap from the early teams that struggled to the playoff threatening teams of the Sandberg era. No matter what he did, he could never earn the call from the Phillies. When he was traded to Tampa, not one person I know was sad to see him go–and that was because we all knew he was going back to the big leagues after so many years. He played hard every night–he wasn’t the home run hitter that Tracy was, but he stole bases and made plays in center every night. He seemed to get better when Mr. Sandberg arrived, as he was unleashed on the base paths. The only time I ever saw him miss a play in center was when the smoke machine malfunctioned. A man of faith, he was active in the community when he had the opportunity. I still miss him.

Other Considerations:

Mike Cervenak – He wasn’t here as long as Thompson. I didn’t want three 2008-9 guys. But, he was always one of my favorites in the early years.
JA Happ – Went on to be an MLB regular. He had the no-hit bid.
John Mayberry, Jr. – He spent a bunch of time here and still has a spot on the Phillies. But he’s never really been an MLB starter. His effort locally was in question at times.
Erik Kratz – I was really close to giving him Brown’s spot. He’s one of my favorites and was always cool with the fans. I love the All-Star story that happened when he was here with the IL team via Indy. Alas, I don’t think he’ll ever be an MLB regular.
Brandon Moss – He’s certainly had the MLB success, as well as the IronPigs performance. But he wasn’t developed here and the Phillies blew the chance to use him that year.
Kyle Kendrick – He was up and down for a while, and never really dominant either here or in Philly.
Freddy Galvis – He was, and is, a joy to watch. His bat started to come alive down the stretch in the 2011 playoff run. Time will tell, if he becomes an MLB regular.
Cody Asche – We’ll see. It’s early.

Happy Sports Debates,

@Kram209

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

February 21, 2014 · 2:15 pm

If You Understand the Balk, You Can Understand Icing @Ironpigs @LVPhantoms

A few years back I remember listing to Matt Provence call an IronPig’s away game. I forget when and where it was but the crowd microphone was clearly picking up a man explaining to his son the Balk rule but very badly and completely wrong. Matt had a lot of fun with this and we can hope the father and son eventually learned the correct rule. We hope this never happens to you so we decided to brush up a bit ourselves.

The Lehigh Valley will soon welcome the arrival of professional Ice Hockey in the form of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. There will be a definite transition period from baseball to hockey. Granted, I know there are die-hard hockey fans out there who are all schooled up on rules, teams, players, history, stats and all that but for the causal fan, (and those of us who couldn’t sit straight up on a Zamboni in ice skates), it may prove a challenge to understand all the rules.

I’d like to start with what most non-hockey fans complain about not understanding. Icing. That call that stops play and causes a faceoff.. sometimes it’s called, sometimes it isn’t. We’ll help you understand it but first…

You are a baseball fan, right? You know what a Balk is. You don’t? Yes, yes you do but just in case:

A pitcher is restricted to a certain set of motions and one of two basic pitching positions before and during a pitch; if these regulations are violated with one or more runners on base, an umpire may call a balk.

With a runner on base and the pitcher on or astride (with one leg on each side of) the rubber, under Official Baseball Rules, it is a balk when the pitcher switches his pitching position from the windup to the set (or vice versa) without properly disengaging the rubber

while on the rubber, makes a motion associated with his pitch and does not complete the delivery

when pitching from the set position, fails to make a complete stop with his hands together before beginning to pitch

throws from the mound to a base without stepping toward (gaining distance in the direction of) that base

throws or feints a throw from the rubber to an unoccupied base, unless a play is imminent

steps or feints from the rubber to first or third base without completing the throw (doing so to second base is legal)

delivers a quick return, a pitch thrown right after receiving the ball back, with intent to catch the batter off-guard

drops the ball while on the rubber, even if by accident, if the ball does not subsequently cross a foul line

while intentionally walking a batter, releases a pitch while the catcher is out of his box with one or both feet unnecessarily delays the game pitches while facing away from the batter

after bringing his hands together on the rubber, separates them except in making a pitch or a throw stands on or astride the rubber without the ball, or mimics a pitch without the ball throws to first when the first baseman, because of his distance from the base, is unable to make a play on the runner there.

delivers a pitch during a squeeze play or a steal of home, if the catcher or some other player steps on or in front of home base without possession of the ball, or touches the batter or his bat. The ball is dead, the batter is awarded first base, the pitcher is charged with a balk, and the run scores.

Offical MLB Rules for Pitchers

Ok, enough about baseball for now. Let’s move onto hockey and that elusive understanding of Icing.

Icing is an infraction that occurs when a player shoots the puck across both the center red line and the opposing team’s goal line, and the puck remains untouched. When icing occurs, an official stops play. Play is resumed with a faceoff in the defending zone of the team that committed the infraction.

For a puck shot towards the top of the diagram, example “A” is not icing. Example “B” is icing, provided that “B” is done by a team that is not short-handed. – Wikipedia

So when you are on your side of the field (ice) and you just hammer it to the other side and no one touches it. It’s a penalty. Got it.

Wait, it’s not that easy.

While an icing call is pending,(it hasn’t gotten there yet) the linesman raises an arm to indicate that a potential icing call may be made. If the icing is waved off, the official lowers his arm and gives the washout signal (similar to the “safe” sign in baseball).

So icing can be waved off? How does the official decide when to wave off the penalty?

Icing is always waved off in the following situations:

The team committing the icing is shorthanded, i.e. penalty killing.

The linesman believes a player on the opposing team (other than the goalkeeper) could have played the puck before it crossed the goal line.

The puck enters the goal.

The puck is iced directly from a player participating in a face-off.

The goalkeeper leaves his goal crease and moves in the direction of the puck.

So it’s looking clearer now. There seems to be a process to deciding if icing will be called. Kind of like the opposing team can stop the penalty if they want.. if they stop the puck before it gets to the goal line or the goal keeper goes for it.

Interesting stuff. Hope you learned something today and you’ll be able to school your friends and neighbors at the Phantoms soon!

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Filed under Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Phantoms Hockey

February 21, 2014 · 10:41 am

Who Wore It Best? @IronPigs Number 12

This one should be easy, right? Well, I broke the rules to add a twist!

Ha! Get it?

@Kram209

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

February 21, 2014 · 7:00 am

Should the @IronPigs Retire Uniform Numbers?

I’ll answer this with a solid and distinct, Yes.

Many teams have retired uniform numbers for players who have made a long term impact for the team and the fans. Popularity doesn’t always allow the cut but more so a combination of success on and off the field pushes the organization to honor the player by retiring their number.

While the IronPigs certainly have had their fan favorites and top performers but how many Pigs can you think of that have:

1. Longevity with the team
2. Outstanding and consistent performance
3. Solid reputation within the community

I can’t think of any. If an IronPig accomplished the first two on this list they are either traded or sent up to the Phillies. That goes for any minor league team. Do good – go up. Do bad – don’t go up, maybe go down or go away.

So what would an IronPig player have to do to earn a retired number from the team?

One answer. Get promoted to the bigs, become an All Star, retire, get elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. That’s how Reading retired three numbers with all three being Hall of Famers. Who can name them? I can.

Sounds like the Lehigh Valley is a long ways away from retiring Cody Asche’s number at Coca Cola Park. (That’s my call for retired IronPig #2)

Right now you’re saying.. number two?! Yes, number two. There is one number that the IronPigs could easily “retire” and recognize at Coca Cola Park and where I say could I’m going to change that to say SHOULD recognize this number.

Yeah. Not sure how this has been overlooked for six years but it does need to happen.

With that said, how can the IronPigs honor the best of the IronPigs? Let’s look at what we already have…

Blue stars under a sign that says, “Pigs to the Bigs.” Yeah, it’s cool but it includes everybody.

How can they show something for say… Andy Tracy. That guy could still be elected Mayor of Bethlehem if he wanted to run. Someone like Rich Thompson.

Perhaps the IronPigs could take a note from football. How about a “Ring of Honor?” The 360 degree concourse at Coca Cola Park does resemble a ring…

A piece of treated plywood bolted to the outfield fence or concourse wall wouldn’t cost too much would it?

Just my thoughts… what are yours?

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February 19, 2014 · 2:30 pm

Another @PigsRadio Alumni Steps Up! @VentingDaily

As many players as the IronPigs have sent up to the Phillies, I don’t think it comes close percentage wise on the success that the IronPig’s Media team has accomplished.

We have Tommy V or Tommy Viola as he is known in his current role as Director of Media relations for the Charlotte Knights. Tommy is having a great time down there opening up a brand new park actually in Charlotte. Who could ever forget… “The IronPig’s Radioooooooooo Network!”

Then we have Tim Doohan who is the Director of Communications for the Rochester Red Wings.

Also at the Triple A level is Matt Sutor who recently became the Media Relations Coordinator for the Durham Bulls!

John Skudris has moved on to do play by play for UMass Boston.

This morning we got news from That Baseball Team out in Reading that Mike Ventola has been hired as their Radio broadcaster!

Congrats to Mike and all the Pig’s Radio Alumni! We’re proud of you!

From That Baseball Team out in Reading:

Ventola Named Fightins Radio Broadcaster

Photo from Mike Ventola – Faceboook account

Easton native will call 2014 slate on 1340 WRAW-AM

The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, have announced that Michael Ventola will be joining the club in 2014 as the team’s radio broadcaster.

“The Fightins are thrilled to have Mike join the club this season,” said Fightin Phils General Manager Scott Hunsicker. “Mike’s energy and experience broadcasting on the East Coast will make him a great fit with our front office and team.”

Ventola, 25, comes to Baseballtown after spending the past two seasons as the Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the Southern Illinois Miners of the independent Frontier League. Prior to his time with the Miners, Ventola spent the 2010 season in Reading as a media relations assistant and with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs in 2011 as a broadcast assistant. He also worked as broadcasting and promotions assistant in 2009 with the Augusta GreenJackets (A).

“I am thrilled to be joining a well-respected organization here in Reading,” said Ventola. “I hope to convey my excitement and love for this great game with each and every sentence I broadcast to this great fan base.”

Along with his vast experience in baseball, Ventola is the play-by-play voice for both Wagner College and NJIT Women’s Basketball. A 2010 graduate of Immaculata University, he has also worked with the Lehigh Valley’s ESPN Radio affiliate and the Danny Bonaduce Morning Show in Philadelphia.

Ventola will call the complete 142-game Eastern League schedule in addition to the 222 Showcase Exhibition Game on April 1st on 1340 WRAW-AM. Live coverage begins 30 minutes prior to the start of each Fightin Phils game with the pre-game show. On Friday’s, the pre-game show is expanded to an hour, featuring exclusive interviews with Fightins players, coaches, and additional special guests.

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February 19, 2014 · 1:16 pm

Is #SmellTheChange Good? Or, Bad?

We’re sure having a lot of fun with this #SmellTheChange IronPigs promotion which will culminate in some kind of “Major Announcement” on Monday. Let’s face it, though, we’re going to have fun no matter what. It’s what we do. But,

It appears the IronPigs are serious about this one. Would something as simple as a new bacon-serving concession stand warrant billboards? Goodness, anyone can create an internet “storm” with the amount of followers the IronPigs have on Twitter and FaceBook. But billboards? That’s some cash.

And if they’re willing to pour real cash into this launch–whatever it is–it’s gotta be something rather big. Is a new Saturday Jersey with a bacon theme big enough for this? I kinda doubt it. Like a black jersey with the numbers made out of bacon photos? Maybe cool for one time, but not every Saturday. Please no. That’s probably not a big enough deal to order 10 billboards over, though. And I wouldn’t like it. I don’t think we need to get MORE goofy about things.

But this is the team that brought us uninal gaming. And this has been in the works for some time. Our sources are completely mum so far, but we were able to determine that the smellthechange.com website was registered last fall. That means, whatever this is, it has been in the works for some time.

But at this point, I’m just hoping it’s not something horrible. I’m still a little jaded by the whole Reading Fightins thing from last season. I don’t hate their new name, exactly, but I hate that they’ve all but abandoned the Phillies portion of the moniker. And, I’m not keen on the ostriches or the new logos. Are the IronPigs getting ready to re-brand? Really? Golly, I hope not.

I’m thinking happy thoughts. Here’s the best I could come up with:

This is a random photo I took during the 2012 season because I like bunting. You know, to move the runner over…

In the photo above, do you see the empty girder space below the club level railing? It’s mostly filled with 69News ads and the like. The speakers impinge on it a little, and further down the baselines, there’s a small scoreboard there. What if they filled that whole area with entire STRIP (You know, like a bacon strip? Like THE bacon strip, where the seats are in right field. Hey, we’re running out of puns over here) of LED like the one that appears below the scoreboard right now. That LED could then be used for advertising, stats, scores, advertising, light-show entertainment when there’s a home run, advertising, a picture of bacon, and advertising. It would add a big-league feel to the park. I’ve written about it before. Perhaps they just want to get this announcement in because we’re going to see some evidence at Pig Day anyway. That addition would cost some money, so I’m sure they’d want to crow about it. It would be worth making a big deal over. And, it wouldn’t promote itself like pee-games would.

I’m just guessing, but I’ve got to cling to something good. If it’s something horrible, or dumb, I’m going to be bummed out. I need this season to help me forget this winter..C’mon man.

Thinking–and smelling–good thoughts,

@Kram209

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

February 19, 2014 · 9:15 am

@IronPigs Uniforms Over the Years #CanYouSmellIt ?

We’re still mulling over what the IronPig’s are planning with their Smell the Change deal. Brian G and Heather M brought up a good point that the hoopla could be in reference to redesigned IronPig uniforms. Perhaps with a Bacon inspired font… I like that idea!

Speaking of uniforms…

There is one thing you are guaranteed to hear during an IronPig’s radio broadcast and that is Matt Provence’s detailed description of each team’s uniform selection for that day.

Uniform rules have slackened a bit for minor league baseball, with many different variations, promotions and pitcher’s superstitions.. along with the ability to fill up the team store with a plethora of authentic uniform options.

For the first few years the IronPigs had a pretty standard uniform set.

The Home uniforms have been pretty much the same since 2008.

The Home uniforms, worn on weekday home games, have been a standard since 2008. The all white with red trim and blue lettering with the IronPig logo are easily the most often worn uniform at home.

The Saturday home uniforms worn since 2008. White pants with red jersey and Ironpigs across the chest. Red pig snout hat included.

The former Sunday Home jersey differed from the weekday version with the removal of sleeves.

Occasionally the team will play in the Dark Blue Batting practice jerseys. Normally seen as a part of a double header.

Occasionally the team will play in the Dark Blue Batting practice jerseys with a Swinging IronPig on the chest. Normally seen as a part of a double header.

In 2013 the Sunday vests were replaced by a powder blue jersey with an IronPig logo on the chest.

Some various “Auction” jerseys…

Photo by Decal

Photos by Cheryl Pursell, unless otherwise noted.

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February 19, 2014 · 7:49 am

Who Wore It Best for the @IronPigs: Number 11

And we continue numerically; please vote for your favorite 11:

Thanks for voting!

@kram209

Can You #SmellTheChange @Ironpigs ?

The IronPigs have alerted us to some changes coming with a secret “Smell the Change” media blitz!

They devoted an entire website to it, http://smellthechange.com/ so it must be significant…

The big reveal is Monday February 24th so we won’t have to wait too long, but until then…

Some of the Noise Nation’s ideas!

Pigs at the Park!

Real live Pigs at the Park!

I grew up in rural Berks county. We had many farms nearby and we knew which ones not to ride past on a bicycle. The Pig farms. Whoooeeeee doesn’t even come close to sum up that stank.

Possible? Maybe. They could bring in those cute little pet style pigs but would hate to be the intern in charge of it.

Restrooms by the Tiki Terrace, permanent or portable.

Now this is something we’ve been asking for. Anyone who chooses to imbibe at the Tiki Terrance in left field or the Trough in right field knows how long that walk can be to the concourse restrooms.

We probably would have seen more construction if the weather was better, so permanent facilities in the outfield might be possible.. but I seriously doubt they’re going to cart in some porto-dumpers for the outfield.

Possible? Not really.

New Parking Prices?

You’ve heard the rumors. So have I. No official word on if parking prices will increase from the historical $3.00 per visit.

If it does happen, people will sure “Raise a Stink” about it..

Possible? Possible but doubtful it’s part of this promotion.

Long Term Sponsorship with Old Spice?

Move over Coca Cola.. Old Spice Park coming in 2014!?

Possible? Probably not.

“Do you SMEEEEELLLL what the Schaff… is cooking?!”

IronPig radio talent takes it to another level with Jon Schaeffer modifying one of Dwayne Johnson’s old tag lines. Keeping it in the Valley and all…

Possible? While it would be cool, I don’t think so.

More Food Options

Could they possibly have any more pork food offerings?

Pork Nachos…
Big Porker sandwich…
Bacon wrapped everything…

Possible? Highly likely. This one is probably the best bet of all listed so far.

Some of the ideas that didn’t quite make it, even on our list:

Smell-o-vision on the stadium scoreboard.
Bacon flavored hand rails
Little tree air freshener giveaway night
Skunk petting zoo
The team trying to lose all the games
Bacon scented bubbles at the East gate
Construction smells from the bridge over the river Lehigh, American parkway project
Free deodorant for those who.. umm, need it
Burning the new Ferrous and FeFe “clothes” and going back to the old ones.

Anyways, it’s all in fun and historically the IronPigs haven’t failed to come through for us. Looking forward to Monday!