Category Archives: Uncategorized

Twitter is abuzz with Phillies 2nd baseman Chase Utley’s ongoing injury. Apparently there was a statement released that he is continuing treatment and still isn’t ready. Even if Utley recovers in time for Opening Day, he will end up in extended spring training.

What does that mean for us Ironpig fans?
For a second year in a row, it is doubtful we will see Wilson Valdez here in the Lehigh Valley.

Also, for those rehab start fans… not likely that Utley will rehab in the Lehigh Valley either. It’ll be too cold. He’s staying in Florida for a while.

Those are my thoughts, what are yours?

OinK!

I went over today to The Coke to pick up my 2011 Season ticket. 72 games of enjoyment. I may just sleep with the season ticket card under my pillow tonight…

Full season ticket holders also received a nice gift.

Mounted on a deep dish style wooden frame, the picture is printed on canvas ala oil painting. Not bad.

Fear not, though, non-season ticket holders. I also spotted them in the team store for $8.

Oh yeah, there was a coupon book too.

OinK!

Last night I stopped over at Meza Luna on Airport Road and watched one of the band’s trying out to be the Ironpig’s house band.

I had a very good pepper jack burger and enjoyed the music of a band called “Connect 5”

They were really good.. REALLY good. Playing songs from the 80’s and 90’s and flawlessly transitioning between genres and eras without missing a beat. I realize I’ve only seen on of the bands trying out but this band was awesome. If the others are as good or better, the House Band should be a good time this season.

31 Days until opening day at The Coke!

OinK!

Accelerated Normalcy

The first two days of camp are over and I feel like I’ve already been here for weeks. I think that feeling of normalcy can be credited to the Phillies. While completely exhausting, the first two days of camp are dedicated to getting all the mumbo jumbo out of the way and making sure that you are familiar with your surroundings and ready to go full bore by day three. This year, unlike any other year of minor league camp (as we’ve been told numerous times) pitchers, catchers and position players all reported at the same time. This allowed the staff to get all the medical testing and random meetings out of the way in a “timely” manner. The first day, from 6 AM to 12 PM, was dedicated to medical testing. Everything was covered including blood test, ortho exam, and general health. Then the meetings started. Head field coordinator Mike Compton went over all the organizational rules and made sure we knew that a “first division organization” follows rules to the “T”. Then, after all of our backs had sufficiently stiffened from sitting on the ground for an hour, we stretched, played some catch, conditioned, and called it a day.

Day two was much more enjoyable because we got to do baseball activities first, before being mentally drained by another flock of meetings (do meetings travel in flocks or is it herds? I always get those mixed up, anyway). We began with what I now believe to be a run-through of how most of our days in spring training will look. Using all four fields at the complex we went through four stations of fundamental work (25 minutes at each station and on to the next). Today’s fundamental work was basic, mainly just an explanation of how to do things the “Phillie way”. I’ll have more on how practices work in a later post. Then, after stations, we had another rousing session of conditioning, and lunch. Lunch was followed by nearly three more hours of meetings in the conference room upstairs. We went over drug policies, the mental game, and visual techniques (which is really just another form mental techniques, but I clearly don’t decide what the Phillies spend their money on). And finally, after nearly all 80+ of us had lost at least one battle over the last 3 hours to nodding off, the day was over.

Were the last two days draining? Yes. Heck I’m even getting tired trying to remember everything that happened. But, I think these last two days were entirely constructive. Coming into Spring Training I had no idea what to expect. I had heard about Spring Training before on ESPN and seen videos of pitchers doing half-assed PFP drills. But, I really had no idea what it would actually take to be in camp. Now, after two days of meeting nearly every single person in the organization, and waking up at 5 AM, and listening to what seemed to be irrelevant blabber, I feel better. I feel like I know what it takes. And most importantly I feel comfortable.

My Phillie card- In case I get amnesia and forget I’m a professional baseball player. Also good for use in routine traffic stops.

From Eric Pettis’ blog, reposted with permission.

Per the Phillies website, Domonic Brown broke his hitless streak and his hand today in the same at bat. Most likely will end up missing a good deal of the early season as most of the buzz agrees that surgery will be needed to fix it.

My thoughts… well I have a feeling this could have been affecting his swing for a while. Maybe something was up before the actual break. Who knows, but once the hand heals he will still have an extended minor league run to get back into form. Does this place him in the minors for the entire 2011 season? Possibly, but it could be the best thing for him being this early in his career.

Wishing you a speedy recovery Domonic!

OinK!

I have been corresponding with the great folks over with the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks about the team’s upcoming first home game of the 2011 season. I asked some basic questions about seating and tickets. I also asked that key Noise Nation question, “How do you feel about a lot of noise, horns and bells?”

The answer made me smile.
“BRING ON THE NOISE!!!! Would love for you to have noise makers, horns, etc…We want to make this a hostile place for opposing teams to play!”

Dust off your horns, polish up those bells! Noise Nation… we need to support this team! It will be like the old days creating such a racket that the opposing team can’t hear themself think! For those who remember the great times we had with the Philly Force softball team, this will be right up there.

It was suggested we locate ourselves in Sections 3 and 4, as these are the most likely to get TV coverage. A full 7 game season ticket cost $56 for General admission and goes up from there with reserved seats. $56 makes it $8 a game.

I plan on taking advantage of a season ticket. Something to have fun with until baseball begins here in the Lehigh Valley.

The Steelhawks home games are played at Stabler Arena.

Schedule below:
Sat. March 19th 7:00pm
Sat. April 9th 7:00pm
Sat. April 16th 7:00pm
Sat. April 23rd 7:00pm
Sun. May 8th 4:00pm
Sat. May 21st 7:00pm
Sat. May 28th 7:00pm

Who’s in with me?

OinK!

I am excited to see another pro team call the Lehigh Valley home! A few of the Noise Nation crew had some questions and I got them answered this week:

Will tickets to Steelhawk games be sold the night of the game at the stadium?
Answer – YES! Tickets can be purchased at the game or go to the Stabler box office and purchase them now M-f 9-4 if you want as well. Tickets also can be purchased online. (Note – online customers expect an online fee) The Steelhawks also mentioned that ticket rates per game were considerably less if you bought a whole season pass.

Where should the more passionate fans (like us Noise Nation folks) sit at games?
Answer – If I were you I would sit in section 3 or 4…You’d be on the camera side so you can get rowdy on camera and show the rest of the league that the Lehigh Valley has the best fans!!!

Season tickets? Details!
Answer – Season ticket packages, starting as low as $8 per game, are still available but great seats are limited so reserve your seats close to the action and call the team’s front office at 610-282-3100.

What are the team colors, is there a theme?
Answer – Fans coming to cheer on the Steelhawks are urged to wear their black and Vegas gold in support! Black and gold? The Noise Nation Black & Gold T-Shirts would fit in great! You can purchase those shirts via the link at the top of this page!

I can’t make it to the game, how can I keep up with the Steelhawks?
Answer – For those who wish to view the game online, please visit http://www.b2livetv.com and look up the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks under the “TEAMS” Section. Fans unable to watch the games live can purchase a season viewing pass. Steelhawks 2011 home games will be broadcast live on Service Electric TV2 Sports.

Good Stuff Noise Nation!!! Let’s get out and support this team!

OinK! or for the Steelhawks… what kind of sound does a Steelhawk make? Maybe a screech?

Just a recount on where the 2010 ended up this offseason. I will put the Major League affiliation of the probable 2011 team.

Pitchers
Anderson, Jason – Rumor of Independant League signing (Somerset)
Baez, Danys – Phillies
Bastardo, Antonio – Phillies
Bump, Nate – Phillies
Carpenter, Drew – Phillies
Cisco, Michael – Phillies
Concepcion, Alexander – ?
Duckworth, Brandon – Red Sox
Ennis, John – Free Agent (pitched very briefly in Venezuelan Winter league)
Figueroa, Nelson – Astros
Gordon, Brian – Phillies
Happ, J.A. – Astros
Lidge, Brad – Phillies
Loop, Derrick – Phillies
Madson, Ryan – Phillies
Mathieson, Scott – Phillies
Mazone, Brian – Retired
Robertson, Nate – Mariners
Romero, J.C. – Phillies
Savery, Joe – Phillies
Schwimer, Michael – Phillies
Stutes, Mike – Phillies
Taubenheim, Ty – Rangers
Villarreal, Oscar – Dodgers
Vogelsong, Ryan – Giants
Wassermann, Ehren – ?
Woods, Jake – Taiwan
Worley, Vance – Phillies
Zagurski, Mike – Phillies

CATCHERS
Hoover, Paul – Red Sox
Nelson, Kevin – ?
Ruiz, Carlos – Phillies
Sardinha, Dane – Phillies
Schneider, Brian – Phillies
Suomi, John – Phillies
Hoover, Paul – Red Sox

INFIELDERS
Bocock, Brian – Phillies
Chavez, Ozzie – White Sox
De Renne, Keoni – ?
Dobbs, Greg – Marlins
Dorta, Melvin – ?
Maza, Luis – Astros
Ransom, Cody – Diamondbacks
Rizzotti, Matt – Phillies
Sellers, Neil – Marlins
Tracy, Andy – Diamondbacks
Valdez, Wilson – Phillies

OUTFIELDERS
Aguila, Chris – Marlins
Brown, Domonic – Phillies
Duffy, Chris – ?
Mayberry, John Jr. – Phillies
Taveras, Willy – Rockies
Thompson, Rich – Phillies
Victorino, Shane – Phillies
Wise, Dewayne – Marlins

If you can fill in the ??’s, feel free to do so in the Comment section.

OinK!

Yes, I brought up the little known third sequel to the Major League movie franchise. Rumors of Charlie Sheen returning for a Major League 4 movie have been heard recently, if only he could break himself away from partying harder than a rock star to get into good enough shape to appear to look like a ballplayer again.

Lately we’ve heard about Domonic Brown struggling in spring training this year. O for how many at bats and a dismal performance in the winter leagues has many Phillies fans wondering if he is what the media has touted him to be. I have to say I am an admirer of Brown. A couple years ago I saw him hit a home run well over route 61 in Reading and overthrow 3rd base from the right field corner. The man has talent. The man has skill. Rumors of his recent slump have been attributed to fatigue, to a new batting stance coaches are showing him, etc. etc. Who screwed up Domonic Brown is the leading question. Before filling a basket of tomatoes with Greg Gross written on them think about this…

In the movie, Major League 3 (It’s on instant watch on Netflix, I would recommend as not as good as the first but much better than the second movie), the main character is none other than Scott Bakula playing a washed up career minor leaguer. He comes in to manage a washed up minor league team. (Sound familiar?)

So Bakula cleans up the team and gets them on a winning streak. Their cornerstone prospect is a player referred to as Downtown Anderson. “Downtown” is known as a natural hitter who pulls everything thrown at him. Bakula’s character pleads with team owners to keep him in the minors for seasoning, trying to teach him all the aspects of hitting but fails. Downtown is called up to the big team and fails terribly. He is quickly humbled and sent back to the minors where he works hard and learns to hit the outside pitch.

Sound more familiar yet? Downtown Domonic Brown was on the cover of the Pork Illustrated Game Program last year. Another year at AAA will probably do more good for this young man than struggling and failing at the Major League level. The Phillies organization could learn something from this B movie that went straight to DVD. Maybe we should have them over for a screening of it.

OinK!

Pat Gillick.

Yup, Pat Gillick.

Saw this on Twitter via @lindseyknupp:
“The IronPigs final bobblehead of the year will be of the newly inducted HOFamer Pat Gillick on July 26th!”

I have to admit, I didn’t recognize the name off the top of my head. I looked at Wikipedia and found that he is a former MLB executive and was recently inducted to the Hall of Fame via the Veteran’s Committee. He also was the Phillies General Manager in 2008 when they won the World Series.

I can clearly see kids and adults fighting for position in line to obtain this desireable bobblehead….