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Dusting this one off after the squirrel hit the field in St. Louis tonight…

Run little guy Run!

If only Brandon Moss had been there.

Leave your funny caption suggestion in the comments of this post. Next week I will post a voting poll and the best will win a “Mystery Prize”

Going to add my own funny caption.. can you beat it?

"But we want to be like Rich Thompson and steal bases too!"

*This contest is for fun. I reserve the right to all decision making, rules, etc.

This is just my theory, a thought, an idea. I am speculating here and will present what I have. If you have opposing/agreeing opinions, please feel free to share in the comment section.

The City of Allentown and their mayor is pushing to get the long proposed arena in downtown Allentown. There are a some reasons we, as the people who will be supporting this place, have been given as to why the arena must be downtown.

1. “Revitalize” the Allentown downtown area.

Ok, everyone wants the pretty crime free city. The long clean sidewalks lined with thriving shops and restaraunts. It is a nice thought. Will an arena accomplish this? Who knows. It might. It might not. Who decides this? The people who are willing to take a chance on a business there and the people who would patronize these establishments and spend money there. If you build it, they will come may not be the essential formula to success.

2. To build on the property that a sinkhole ate in 1994.

A big open space that isn’t bringing in tax money. Yeah, unused space is usually better off being used but at what cost? I’m sure engineers could make significant efforts to avoid another sinkhole disaster at this site but engineers have failed in the past. You could argue over this for days but from my view as a fan and tax payer (to Lehigh County) I wouldn’t build a dog house on a questionable piece of land for fear of possible harm to my dog. While the financial concern of a dog house falling over isn’t a terrible loss, the financial concern of a multi-million dollar arena is. Not to mention, no matter how slight, if something bad happened where people could be in danger.

3. Money!

Yes… money. What drives anything in this world. Figure out what the people want and then provide it for them with a… fee.

Looking at a recent article of the highly touted Sovereign Center in the city of Reading, (Read story on Reading Eagle here), parking is a serious issue. Really? Who would have thought. The gripe in the article focuses on an attempt by the City of Reading to increase revenue with parking meters. (I was under the impression that areanas revitalized cities. Why would they need additional income?) Has anyone tried to park in Allentown lately? It’s not fun. Hockey is a winter sport, what happens when it snows? Parking deck you say! Yes! What comes with a parking deck? That’s right… a charge. Parking rates during events at the Sovereign Center in Reading are reportedly $5-10 per vehicle.

Taking a step back for a moment, let’s look at the LV IronPigs for a moment. Coca Cola Park has 4 large parking lots. On nights where attendance is over 9,000 fans, those lots are packed. Cars line the street and even park into the traffic lanes between lots. The IronPigs charge $3 for baseball games and fees have been significantly higher during other events. (The 2 concerts were heard to be in excess of $10)

The proposed arena won’t quite hold the same number of people as Coca Cola Park but could you imagine a crowd size of 5-6,000 people parking in downtown Allentown? Figure 2,000-2,500 vehicles? Multiple that by $10 and it is a significant source of income for the city.

In further comparison to the IronPigs I will use the Adirondack Phantoms as an example. (The Phantoms are the team being lured to move to Allentown)

IronPig tickets have been drawing incredible crowds with tickets costing $6, 9 & 14. Add in $3 parking per vehicle, a single person would see a low mark of $9 and a high mark of $17. Take in a season ticket with 72 games and it adds up. ($648/$1224)

Ticket prices listed on the Phantom’s Website:

Bronze – $12.25
Silver – $15.25
Gold – $19.25
Premium Gold – $21.25
Platinum – $26.25
Under 10 yrs old – $11.00

Not terrible pricing, love that kids get a discount. Figure 40 home games. It adds up. Then figure in parking cost. It REALLY adds up.

Say you take the cheaps seats and drive yourself. (As I would)

$12.25 + $10 = $22.25 x 40 games = $890 a season.

For the IronPigs (Using increased 2012 rates)
$7.00 + $3.00 = $10 x 72 games = $720 a season.

With 32 less “events” hockey will likely cost $170 more a season. This is for a single person driving alone. You could take carpooling into account but ticket price and cost would still increase, especially if you are the person pulling the tab for your family/friends.

I realize you all can do math and understand that hockey is going to cost more… what does this have to do with where the stadium is?

Putting the stadium in downtown Allentown increases the overall cost of attending.

Allentown is using the incredible success of the IronPigs to get this hockey team here.

What the IronPigs have that a downtown arena does not:

1. Close to the city but closer to a major highway (Rt. 22). Personally, if I know I can jump on a highway soon after leaving an event is a plus and I tend to attend more often.

2. Lower prices. Times are hard yo… cheap is in… more bang for your buck.

3. The Phillies. While the Phantom’s parent club, the Flyers, are no slouches… they aren’t close to the roll that the Phillies have been on.

4. Summer. You can look at this two ways. Summer gets people out in the open and/or winter makes people want to find something fun to do indoors. I prefer to stay indoors at home in the winter. Do you?

5. A perceived “safe” location. It’s no secret that people who do not live in the city of Allentown read newspapers and watch the local news. Crime is often reported IN Allentown and that will scare folks off. Coca Cola Park is located on a fringe area of the city that isn’t heavily populated and allows for a more comforted feeling in less adventurous fans. I’m not saying downtown Allentown isn’t safe but ask someone who doesn’t live in the city where they would feel more comfortable and see what they answer. Especially after dark.

This post really isn’t organized or well thought out, but it includes my thoughts on the proposed arena and how professional hockey might succeed in Allentown. At the risk of being labeled one of the online tormented, anonymous internet naysayers… I believe the hockey area would do much better if it were NOT located in the downtown area. I haven’t met anyone who prefers that other than those who are planning the arena.

Which do you think would be more profitable to the city?

Arena in the downtown area – More revenue per person, possible lower participation.

Arena not in the downtown area – Less revenue per person, possible higher participation.

Let’s poll it:

Those are my thoughts.. what are yours?

“I should have never entered that hot dog eating contest before the game”

The winning submission was sent in by Carl! Carl, please email me at editor@LVNoiseNation.com so I can get you the wonderful “Mystery” Prize!

OinK!

If you’ve noticed the new icon on the left, this is what I’ve been working on since the IronPig’s season ended. The official Noise Nation Fan Group Calendar!

Need something to do during the long winter when there is no Steelhawk, Roller Derby or IronPig games? We’ll be posting events on the calendar so check it out often!

3 new events were posted tonight! Check it out!

Also, if you have an a charity or fun event you would like to include.. feel free to send details to us at editor@LVNoiseNation.com.

Noise Nation Calendar

Below are the contenders. Voting will continue until 12:00 noon EDST on Monday October 3rd.. You may vote as often as you’d like, but I believe WordPress cuts you off at a certain point.

Can you find anything funny about this photo? (Note - This is Cody Ransom)

1. Uh, was I supposed to catch that?

2. 1,2…Yup, they’re still there!

3. Darn contact lenses…

4. That’s what we call a 7-10 split.

5. Sumo Wrestling anyone?

6. …..I never played for the Lakewood blueclaws but if I did this is what I would look like!

7. Now how did that ball get by me?????????

8. “He just popped his head up, looked around, and grabbed the ball! NOW where is he?”

9. “I should have never entered that hot dog eating contest before the game”

10. “I’m practicing so I can try out for shortstop if the Cubs hire Ryno. All I need are 200 hits and an equal number of errors.”

11. “Grrrrrrrrrr…hmmmmmmm….ehhhhhhh… nope, no brick yet”

I guarantee there are a few folks out there that think I’ve gone off the deep end again and written a musical… I haven’t, but I did stumble across this recently and thought I would share.

Piggy Nation. That’s right, a whole Nation of Piggies. Not the kind of Piggies that steal eggs from angry birds with access to a slingshot nor the kind of Piggies that play baseball like our beloved IronPigs. These Piggies sing!

It all started with a book by author Richard Rosser called “Piggy Nation A Day at Work With Dad.”

Piggy Nation A Day At Work With Dad focuses on piggy behavior in an amusing, colorful update of the Golden Rule. The main character is a piglet named Sammy who joins his Dad on Piggy Patrol. As they search the town for piggies, Sammy learns about rude behavior!

The book and its readings were so popular he created a musical.

During the design process of the children’s book Piggy Nation A Day At Work With Dad, author Richard Rosser began reading his book to elementary school classes, which led to performing assemblies for large groups of students. The kids responded so positively that it inspired Rosser to adapt the story into a full-length musical with twelve songs and a cast of twenty. Expanding on the children’s book, he added elements of romance and treachery. With composer Alec Wells (theoutsidejoke.com), the two crafted a musical richly layered with Blues, Zydeco, Rock, Rap and Gospel influences

Looking at the Soundtrack, this is great. Granted it was written for kids but it can also be enjoyed by us Lehigh Valley IronPig fans as well.

A few of the songs:

Piggy Patrol (We’ve heard this term before at Coca Cola Park)

Blah Blah Blah (ditto)

Heading Home

We’re All Piggies

and my personal favorite…

Stop That Noise Parts 1 & 2

I initially stumbled on the Soundtrack on iTunes (It is available for purchase there) and found their website: http://piggynation.com/

Enjoy Pig Fans!

Another great night our with our favorite Roller Derby gals!

The Noise Nation and Roller Derby fans filled the Independence Family Fun Center in Schnecksville tonight. We brought the noise, they brought the excitement and in the end… another heartbreaking last minute loss.

Speaking strategy with coach Rose Beef after the game we found there was a brilliant play planned and executed by the opposition. Sometimes you just have to tip your hat, smile and remember that move for your next bout. Great effort by both teams.

Sadly, our recently aquired air raid siren met the same fate as our “Fling-O” launch a ball slingshot and broke tonight. I believe a repair is possible but disappointed in the quality of the siren itself. Of note, we still haven’t figured out how to play the new bugle either.

The night was far from over after the bout. Both teams and the Noise Nation headed to Grumpy’s BBQ on Mauch Chunk road for the after party. Great food, great friends and impressive sportsmanship.

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE ROLLER DERBY!!!

You should too. Next bout I believe is in November, so stay tuned. Also might have some photos of the event soon too.

Tomorrow is the Roller Derby… THE FRIGGIN ROLLER DERBY!

Photo by Jim Rhoades http://www.jwrhoads.com

Can you tell I’m excited? You should be too.

Last bout we turned some fellow Noise Nation members into believers.. now it’s your turn. It is a really great time.

To keep this simple.

1. Women in skimpy outfits whose goal is to dominate the other team.

2. BYOB both outside AND inside the event! With that, for ACTUAL safety reasons, no glass containers or large coolers are allowed.

3. Women in skimpy outfits whose goal is to dominate the other team.

4. This isn’t the WWF of roller skating. This is a true sport with rules and referees that pay attention. Once you get to know the rules it becomes intense.

5. Women in skimpy outfits whose goal is to dominate the other team!

What else can I say… it is an Awesome time! Come on out!

What you need to know:

Where
Independence Family Fun Center
4345 Independence Drive
Schnecksville, PA
Click for directions

When
September 24, 2011
Doors at 5 PM, Bout at 6 PM

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $12 adult, $6 child under 10, under 5 are free.

Tickets can be prepurchase online for $10 and $5 here.

Photo courtesy of the LV Steelhawks

The Steelhawks announced today the signing of Offensive Lineman Qasim Mitchell.

Mitchell, a 4 year veteran of the NFL, last played for the Chicago Bears and made his NFL debut in 2003. His 6’5 347lbs size should create a nice wall of protection solidifying the Steelhawks offensive line.

Welcome to Mitchell! Glad to have you on the team!

Also, the Steelhawks have re-signed Defensive Back Roshawn Marshall. A late season signing, Marshall played in only 4 games but came out with 3 interceptions and 134 return yards. He was the key player against the Fairbanks Grizzlies returning 2 interceptions for touchdowns in the upset win.

My hats off to Coach Britt, Mike Clark and the whole Steelhawk staff for their hard work in getting a quality team together!