Category Archives: Uncategorized

I believe I have watched more of this year’s Olympics than I have of any previous years. I don’t have too many Olympic memories but I have grown fond of the “sport” of curling. (See my personal definitions of sport below)

Listening to the broadcasts you hear horns, you hear cowbells, you hear chants and cheers. There are FLAGS BEING WAVED! How great is this! The Noise Nation would fit in well!

So as I shared my interest in curling with a friend, he suggested I only liked it because of how attractive most of the female curlers were. Their appearance aside, yum, I do find the sport interesting.

Just a few moments ago I saw news that disturbed me. Let me post the headline.

“Canadian curling fans leave Danish player in tears” – 1

In Tears? IN TEARS? Ok, a pretty girl cried. That bothers me. I don’t like making anyone cry, no less a girl. Call me what you want, I’m just saying.

My own personal definition of competition:
Sport – An event that involves two or more opponents that has an offense and defense that directly affects the outcome of the event. Example: Baseball, Football, Hockey

Game – An event where individuals or teams play to achieve a score that is better than their opponent(s). No defense included. Examples: Golf, Bowling,

Racing is a whole category of its own.

Competition – any event where a judges opinion has an impact on the results. Not doubting athletic ability, just not a sport.

I suppose the Noise Nation would be welcome at the Olympics but not at curling. Take a look at the original article. The statements made by this competitor do show the “home field effect” of crowd noise in respect to performance.

Just ask Drew Stubbs how it impacted him last year at CCP…

1 – From Yahoo News
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/vancouver/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Candian-curling-fans-leave-Danish-player-in-tear?urn=oly,221320

Just a quick update for today. I’ve been neglecting the blog for a few days so thought I would just leave you with this thought…

“SPRING TRAINING IS HERE!!!!”

We just need some of this snow to melt and the season will soon be here!

Former Ironpig Travis Blackley signed with the Mets organization.

Phillies signed:
RHP Oscar Villarreal
C Zak Farkes
C John Purdom
1B Gaby Martinez

J.J. Furmaniak signed with Tampa Bay Rays. Will he return to CCP with Durham so we can hear the Maniak cheers again?

4 days to Pitchers and Catchers!

It’s that time of year again!

The Lehigh Valley Ironpigs have announced ticket sales will commence at 9:00am Eastern on Saturday, February 27th!

Looking at all that is available here is amazing. You can get a great seat anywhere in the field level for $9. Hungry? Try the picnic area. Kids need room to move around and play? Try the Blue Cross Lawn seating for $6. Yes! $6 a ticket! You can also make group reservations for the Picnic Patio and Dugout suites.

Click here for more information on Ironpig’s tickets.

Coca Cola Park is the only park to offer free bubbles before and free red balloons to every child after the game.

For Ironpig fans, you ask yourself, “What do I care to know about the Buffalo Bison?”

Well, I like seeing future stars and aging veterans so let’s look at some prospects who might find their way to CCP via the Buffalo Bison.

Fenando Martinez – OF
Martinez played 45 games with Buffalo in 2009 and 29 games in NY with the Mets. He hit .290 in the International League with 8 HR and 28 RBI. His young career has been plagued by injury and will compete for a job in the Mets outfield but will most likely end up where the Buffalo outfielders roam.

Ike Davis – 1B
Davis is the son of former major league pitcher Ron Davis. He hit .309 in AA Binghamton last season and looks to start for Buffalo in 2010.

Brad Holt – RHP
Holt split the 2009 season between AA Binghamton and Hi-A St. Lucie recording a 7-7 record overall with 99 SO. Expect him at AAA later in the season if he produces at AA early.

John Niese – LHP
Niese has made several appearances for the Mets in 2008 and 2009. He is a good candidate to make their starting rotation, although if he does not, look for him in Buffalo.

Josh Thole – C
Thole mixed time with AA Binghamton and the NY Mets in 2009 achieving a .328 batting average in the Eastern League. Look for him at either AA or AAA this season.

We all know former Ironpig MIke Cervenak will return to CCP as a Bison in 2010. We know him. We loved him. We wish him well. I’ll have a special “K” reserved for him on the Oink sign prepared.

Up next – The Charlotte Knights

The National Pro Fastpitch 2010 draft was held last night, noteably missing any representation from our Philly Force. I am sad to ask that even if the Force organization does pull itself together, really what kind of team will be fielded? With veteran players moving on in their lives, top stars signing with other NPF teams and missing out on the talent pool of the draft, I really don’t see a quality team out there this summer.

Great times in 09… Not too hopeful for 10.

The Bison finished the 2009 season with a dismal 56 win and 87 loss record placing 14 out of 14 teams in the International League.

Team Stats for 2009
Batting:
Games – 143
AB – 4734
R – 502
H – 1207
2B – 239
3B – 20
HR – 80
RBI – 454
TB – 1726
BB – 335
SO – 785
SB – 49
CS – 24
OBP – .307
SLG – .365
AVG – .255
OPS – .671

Pitching:
ERA – 4.04
G – 143
CG – 9
SHO – 10
SV – 29
IP – 1228.2
H – 1240
R – 606
ER – 551
HR – 108
HB – 44
BB – 422
SO – 932
WHIP – 1.35
HLD – 25
GF -134

2009 Roster(All who played in 2009)
Javier Valentin 1B
Michel Abreu 1B
Alex Cora 2B
Andy Green 2B
Argenis Reyes 2B
Luis Rivera 2B
Ramon Martinez 2B
Javier Castillo 3B
Mike Lamb 3B
Mike Nickeas C
Omir Santos C
Rafael Arroyo C
Rene Rivera C
Robinson Cancel C
Rogelio Del Campo C
Angel Pagan CF
Cory Sullivan CF
Jonathan Malo IF
Jason Dubois LF
Jesus Feliciano LF
Josh Petersen LF
Nick Evans LF
Rob Mackowiak LF
Wily Mo Pena LF
Frank Diaz OF
Matt Watson OF
Bobby Kielty RF
Chip Ambres RF
Emil Brown RF
Fernando Martinez RF
Jason Cooper RF
Angel Berroa SS
Jose Coronado SS
Mark Kiger SS
Wilson Valdez SS
Adam Bostick P
Adam Pettyjohn P
Arturo Lopez P
Brandon Knight P
Carlos Muniz P
Casey Fossum P
Chris Mason P
Connor Robertson P
Derrick Ellison P
Dillon Gee P
Eddie Kunz P
Edgar Ramirez P
Elmer Dessens P
Fernando Nieve P
Freddy Garcia P
Jim Ed Warden P
Jon Niese P
Jon Switzer P
Jose Sanchez P
Ken Takahashi P
Kyle Snyder P
Lance Broadway P
Michael Antonini P
Nelson Figueroa P
Oliver Perez P
Pat Misch P
Tim McNab P
Tim Redding P
Tobi Stoner P

Not much exciting in Buffalo last season.

Up next.. 2010 Preview!

The Buffalo Bisons history begins in 1879 as they played in the National League until 1886 when the team moved into the brand new International League. In 1900 the team came very close to becoming a Major League team but was bumped in favor of the Boston Americans (who would become the Boston Red Sox). Imagine how different baseball history would be if that hadn’t happened. In 1969, Hector Lopez made history becoming the first black manager at the Triple A level. Buffalo kept the team until 1970 when it moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Bison returned to Buffalo in 1979 as a AA team and in 1985 rejoined the Triple A level leading to its return to the International League in 1997.

The current Bison call Coca Cola Field their home park, their sixth stadium since the team’s inception.
Coca-Cola Field (2009–Present)
~~Dunn Tire Park (1998–2008)
~~North AmeriCare Park (1995–1998)
~~Pilot Field (1988–1994)
War Memorial Stadium (1961–1970, 1979–1987)
Hyde Park Stadium (1967–1968)
Offermann Stadium (1924–1960)
Buffalo Baseball Park (1889–1923)
Olympic Park (1884–1888)

Major League Affiliation
New York Mets (2009–Present)
Cleveland Indians (1983–1984, 1987, 1995–2008)
Pittsburgh Pirates (1979–1982, 1988–1994)
Chicago White Sox (1985–1986)

Buffalo Bison Alumni in the Hall of Fame
Connie Mack
Charles Radbourn
Jimmy Collins
Jim O’Rourke
Dan Brouthers
Joe Tinker
Herb Pennock
Gabby Hartnett (Manager)
Ray Schalk (Manager)
Joe McCarthy
John Montgomery Ward
Pud Galvin
Lou Boudreau
Bucky Harris (Manager)
Johnny Bench
Ferguson Jenkins
Jim Bunning
Frank Grant

Up next… 2009 Buffalo Bison Roster and Review

So I heard there was a football game today… anyways, just another day closer to Pitchers & Catchers and until Opening Day.

In the next few weeks I am going to review the International League team by team and finally give my thoughts on who the 2010 Ironpigs will be. If you ever have any questions or comments, feel free to post a comment or email me at editor@lvnoisenation.com.

DK

Just another day closer to baseball… I will begin reviewing International League opponents next week. Stay tuned!

Personally, I feel New Orleans will fall victim to all the pre-game hype of a rocket fueled quarterback duel. Peyton Manning has too much poise and control to get run over in this game.

My call – Colts over Saints, 31 – 13.