Category Archives: Noise Nation-Dan

A few days ago I overheard two old men talking about what I suppose all old men talk about.

“How are the grandkids?”, “eh, spoiled”

“Did that rash clear up?”, “still there”

“How are the IronPigs doing?”, “like the Phillies, they stink”

I chuckled and went on my way. Life has been distracting me from this season but I have been keeping an eye on how the team is doing and tune in to hear Matt Provence’s call of the game often.

The Pigs are right where they need to be. At 42-30 they find themselves just 2 games behind the 2011 Division champs in Pawtucket. While they rode the first place train for a long while last year the Pigs fell in the late weeks of the season before exacting revenge on the Pawsox in the first round playoffs with a sweep as the Wild Card team.

In the past 10 games the Pigs have shown some life winning 7 of the last 10. With the frequent changes to the roster as Phillies go on and come off of the disabled list the energy is there.

Our beloved Pigs are right where they need to be. 2nd place. That’s right, 2nd place. Stay hungry Pigs, stay hungry.

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In other news, the SWB or Empire State Yankees or the Yankee’s AAA affiliate are getting more than just a stadium makeover. Baseball America is reporting that the Yankees are looking for a new name. Even holding a contest with prize pack for the winner.

My first thought was that the Yankees would pull out of SWB with this move. No idea on their contract status but it seems unlikely as they paid a lot of money into this renovation and may even have bought the team outright. (My memory isn’t doing great these days) Another thought leads me to the attendance at PNC Park. It wasn’t great and being a part of Pennsylvania you do have a lot of lot of Phillies fans up there. The SWB team was a Phillies affiliate for many years prior to the Yankees moving in. Kind of how that area is developing demographically as well… but that’s not something to address in a simple sports blog.

My submission… The SWB Miners. That area was huge in mining as the Lehigh Valley was to Steel. Could lightning strike twice in eastern PA? Another thought I had would be the Planters. (Planters Peanuts got their start in Wilkes Barre)

It’s late and to quote the most interesting man in baseball, “Cheer on Little Piggies.”

Photo by Sara Haydt (Full Name)

IRONPIGS STAFF TO RAISE MONEY DURING “OLD SCHOOL MUSTACHE MAY”

From the IronPigs

Support Local Non-Profits by Voting for your Favorite ‘Stache

(Allentown, Pa.) – In an effort to raise funds for local non-profit organizations, IronPigs staff members are putting away their razors during the inaugural “Old School Mustache May” presented by Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews! Fans can help determine a winner by casting their vote online or at an IronPigs home game through June 1.

Male members of the IronPigs Front Office staff have been divided into three teams and each team has selected a different non-profit organization to support. Each dollar raised will equal one vote. In addition to voting online, fans can also vote at Coca-Cola Park by visiting Coordinated Health Fan Services, located behind Section 107 on the Main Concourse. Voting will conclude on Friday, June 1 and individual and team winners will be announced Saturday, June 2 as a part of Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews ‘Old School Night’ and “Mustache May” finale!

‘Like’ the IronPigs on Facebook (www.facebook.com/lhvironpigs) to a view a photo gallery that will be updated weekly with each Staff Member’s ‘stache progress.

A list of the “Old School Mustache May” teams and participating staff members appears below:

Team American Cancer Society: Bill Butler, Paul Tumavich, Jan Giejda, Brock Hartranft, Kurt Landes, Phil Lichman, Anthony Maurella, Alex Rivera, Nick Wootsick.

Team Keystone Wounded Warriors: Matt Hagen, Ryan Hines, Scott Hodge, Chris Julian, Brad Ludwig, Ben Muell, Justin Scariato, Howard Scharf, Kyle Walbert, Don Wilson.

Team IronPigs Charities: Joe DeNitzio, Tim Doohan, Scott Evans, Adam Fondl, Brandon Greene, Morris Morioka, Jon Schaeffer, Steve Pump, Jason Kiesel, Garrett Fahrmann.

About the non-profit organizations:

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service. The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the ACS has 12 chartered Divisions, more than 900 local offices nationwide, and a presence in more than 5,100 communities.

Keystone Wounded Warriors is a Eastern Pennsylvania based 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation that seeks to honor the daily sacrifices made by the brave men and women in all branches of the United States Military, but specifically those wounded on or after September 11, 2001. Keystone Wounded Warriors aids Wounded Warriors by raising public awareness and seeking the public’s support for programs and services that assist Wounded Warriors. Funds donated to Keystone Wounded Warriors are used to support local post-9/11 veterans and their families located in or with ties to Pennsylvania.

IronPigs Charities is a non-profit organization striving to provide educational and recreational opportunities for children in the Greater Lehigh Valley area. Since its inception in 2007, IronPigs Charities has made more than $435,000 in monetary contributions – including more than $110,000 in 2011.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are dedicated to providing family-friendly entertainment and are the only Minor League team to offer bubbles to fans entering the AT&T Plaza and balloons for all children exiting Coca-Cola Park.

From @DanielKimW on Twitter:

“Brian Bass (former Oriole) about to get released by Hanwha Eagles. In his lone start, gave up 8 earned runs in 1 1/3 IP.”

Bass went 8-10 in 28 games with the IronPigs last season. He finished with a 3.81 ERA in 158.1 innings with 1 complete game and 105 K’s.

Brian’s last start for the Pigs was in the series clincher to defeat the Pawtucket Red Sox sending them to the Governor’s Cup finals. Bass tossed 9 solid innings allowing only 1 unearned run in the 9th for the complete game win.

The Pigs got on the board first manufacturing one run in the 2nd inning combining a Hector Luna double with a pair of sacrifice flies.

The Bison struck back in the 5th inning. After Reading native Zach Luna Lutz doubled, he was gunned down at third trying to advance on Vinny Rottino’s ground ball to shortstop. Rottino scored on catcher Lucas May’s triple down the right field line. The Bison jumped to a 2-1 lead when May scored the go ahead run on Omar Quintanilla’s ground out.

The Bison added another in the 6th with a solo home run from Bobby Scales.

Starter Pat Misch was pulled after 5.2 innings allowing 3 earned runs, striking out 2 and walking none. He allowed 5 hits.

On came Michael “Phear the Phro” Schwimer who struck out Zach Lutz to end the 6th. Schwimer went on to shut down the Bison in the 7th 1-2-3. (insert SWB joke here)

Buffalo’s Chris Schwinden tossed 7 great innings before being relieved by Jack Egbert. His final line was 1 run on 4 hits with 1 walk and 1 strike out.

Joe Savery came on in the 8th striking out his first batter with 3 pitches. He got a quick 2nd out on a grounder before allowing a base hit to Scales. Savery was almost out of the inning on a fly ball to left that bounced out of Domonic Brown’s glove. E-7 and the Bison add an insurance run. Former IronPig Val Pascucci struck out to end the inning.

After a quick out in the 9th, Hector Luna singled for his second hit of the night giving the Pigs a little hope. Frandsen followed up with a bunt single. Overbeck then tried a hard swinging but, advanced the runners but gave the Bison that 2nd out. Mitchell then added a little excitement to the end by striking out on a wild pitch (Scoring Luna) but didn’t make it to first in time to save the game and the winning streak.

Final Score – Pigs 2 Pigs 1 – Bison 4

One note about Buffalo, looking at their roster, they could easily win the best player names contest in baseball.

– Valdespin

– Scales

– Satin

– Pascucci (Yes, that Pascucci of IronPig notoriety)

– Rottino

– Quintanilla

– Egbert

Tim Chorones will have a field day when the Bison come visit CCP!

Per @MLBTransactions on Twitter:

“CLEVELAND INDIANS: Agreed to terms with OF Johnny Damon on a minor league contract.”

The IronPigs won’t face the Columbus Clippers (Cleveland’s AAA team/2 time reigning IL Champs) at home until July 20th.

It’s a possibility we may see Johnny Damon at Coca Cola Park.. but I don’t think it’s a good chance. He’s most likely looking for a door to a big league job and if he doesn’t get it by July 20th he will probably seek it else where.

Never know.

******

In other news, the IronPigs are offering a special deal for the April 26th game.

More than three decades after being collectively dealt to the Chicago Cubs for shortstop Ivan DeJesus, Ryne Sandberg and Larry Bowa will reconvene at Coca-Cola Park on Thursday, April 26 when the IronPigs host the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees at 7:05 p.m. For this game only, a special ticket deal is available for fans that purchase their seats online and enter the unique promo code available only on the IronPigs’ Facebook (www.facebook.com/lhvironpigs) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/ironpigs) pages. Make sure to “Like” the IronPigs on Facebook and “Follow” the team on Twitter for exclusive promotions throughout the season.

· Purchase Tickets
· SPECIAL DEAL: Facebook
· Twitter

Fans attending this special reunion game will be rewarded with a boat load of special promotions, including:
Ryne Sandberg bronze statues for the first 3,000 fans 18 and older.
An hour-long autograph session from 7:05 p.m. to 8:05 p.m. featuring former Phillies player and manager, Larry Bowa. He is also slated to throw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch.
The only “Dollar Dog” night of the season featuring $1 hot dogs for the entirety of the game.
Ladies Night featuring a a pre-game Happy Hour from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. with live music and $2 domestic drink specials in the AT&T Plaza.

OinK!