I occasionally stumble onto a fun story that we can connect to our beloved Ironpigs….

It was June 23, 1984. NBC had chosen to nationally televise a game between long time rivals the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley field. The Cubs were playing well this season, and as a team that had been pretty bad over the years, the league hadn’t really taken them seriously yet. That would change with this game. The Cardinals were ahead by one run enterering the bottom of the ninth inning and pitching was their ace closer, Bruce Sutter. To bat was a young Ryne Sandberg. Sandberg tied the game with a home run over the left field ivy to tie the game at 9. The Cardinals responded with two runs of their own in the top of the 10th inning. Sutter remained in the game with a 2 run lead and again faced Sandberg, this time with a runner on base. Sandberg again took Sutter deep to tie the game. The Cubs went on to win the game in the 11th inning.

Although St. Louis’ Willie McGee had already been named the NBC Player of the Game, it was Sandberg’s feat that played the ultimate role.

The Cubs would win the Division that year with a record of 96 wins – 65 losses. They went on to lose to the Padres in the National League Championship Series. The Cardinals would finish in third place, 12.5 games back.

In 1984 Sandberg would earn his 1st All Star game selection, his 2nd Gold Glove, his 1st Silver Slugger Award and was named the National League MVP. He was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame in 2005. He is currently the manager of our Lehigh Valley Ironpigs.

Bruce Sutter was named the National League’s Rolaid’s Relief Man of the Year in 1984. Sutter’s 45 saves in 1984 led the league and he boasted a 1.53 ERA. He also made his last All Star game selection that year. Sutter retired in 1988 and was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame in 2006. He is currently a consultant to the Phillies minor league system.

When I heard about this game, my first thought was of these two baseball legends finding themselves together here in the Lehigh Valley. Is there any animosity between the aged warriors of the diamond? Could the young, up and coming Sandberg have played a role in the decline of a star more senior to him at the time? I doubt it. I could imagine there might be a little nudging and friendly banter but nothing that could host bad feelings.

Either way, the 2011 Ironpigs lineup, whoever might end up there, will have an advantage over teams in the past. They, we, have two baseball legends here to help. Here’s looking to being above .500!

OinK!

Although this is for the Mariners… I still liked it 🙂

“You gotta have strong defense up the middle.”   It’s one of those baseball clichés you hear all the time.  When I think of teams with great defense up the middle the “Big Red Machine” Cincinnati teams from the mid 70’s come to mind.   Johnny Bench, catcher, Joe Morgan second base, Dave Concepcion shortstop and Cesar Geronimo center field.  In  ’74, ’75, ’76 and ’77 they all won gold gloves.  You can win ballgames with a good offense and you can win ballgames with pitching and defense.   The Big Red Machine could do it both ways.   

More batted balls are hit to shortstop than any other position so it is imperative to have a good glove man at short.  I believe the Ironpigs have one.

Brian Bocock,  3/9/85, Harrisonburg, VA.  5’11” 185.  B/T: R/R  
Brian attended Stetson University in Florida and was a 9th round draft pick by the San Francisco Giants in 2006.  He was selected for the 2007 Futures Game and he was the opening day shortstop for the Giants in 2008 due to an injury to Omar Vizquel.   Vizquel returned on May 10th and Bocock was optioned to AAA Fresno in the Pacific Coast League after hitting just .143 with the Giants.  On January 5, 2010 the Giants removed him from their 40 man roster to make room for Juan Uribe who was just signed as a free agent.  Two days later he was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays.  Just three weeks later the Blue Jays tried to slip him through waivers but he was claimed by the Phillies.  Bocock began the 2010 season with the Ironpigs and once Wilson Valdez was promoted to the Phillies, the starting shortstop job belonged to him.

Brian Bocock, Shortstop

 
Shortstop has always been my favorite position on the field and it’s no secret that I became a big Brian Bocock fan in 2010.   Although he has had his problems with the bat, there has never been any question about his defensive ability.  He is by far the best defensive shortstop to ever wear an Ironpigs uniform and you could make a strong argument that in 2010 he was the best defensive shortstop in the International League.   Bocock made just 12 errors at shortstop for the Ironpigs in 2010 and 5 of those errors came in bad weather games in the first month of the season.  That means from May 9 to the end of the season he made just 7 errors.   When the Phillies placed Chase Utley on the DL on June 29th, Bocock was called up to replace him but he was there just 4 days when he was outrighted back to the Ironpigs and Cody Ransom was promoted to the Phillies.  The brief promotion seemed to awaken his bat (or was it changing his number from #11 to #10?) because he hit .309 with 3 homeruns in July and hit .288 from the allstar break to the end of the season. Throw in 31 walks after the allstar break and his on base percentage from July 15 to the end of the season was an extremely impressive .401.  His 49 walks for the season was second on the team behind only Andy Tracy.   Bocock also hit a respectable .277 vs. left handed pitching in 2010.   Still, his strong finish only raised his batting average to .226.  His excellent work with the glove and strong second half earned him a September callup to the Phillies where he got to play in 6 games.  If Bocock could put together an entire season similar to his second half in 2010  you would be looking at a potential International League allstar.  No matter how well (or how poorly) he hits, I’d expect Bocock to get the majority of the starts at shortstop for the Ironpigs again in 2011.   Pete Orr was previewed at second base but he is also a very capable shortstop. If Orr is with the Ironpigs for the entire season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him play 40 or more games at 3 different positions.  With Bocock and Orr on the 2011 Ironpigs, no other shortstop is needed on the roster.   
 
Freddy “Toco” Galvis, 11/14/89, Punto Fijo, Venezuela. 5’10” 170.  B/T: S/R
 
Freddy was signed by the Phillies as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2006 when he was just 16 years old.  He is the classic good field/no hit shortstop but he is still only 21 years. When you consider that he has been playing against older competition at every minor league level, there is still plenty of time for improvement at the plate.  In 2007 he hit .203 at Williamsport, and in 2008 at Lakewood he hit .238.  He followed that up by hitting .247 at Clearwater in ’09 and in 2010 he hit .233 with 5 homeruns with the AA Reading Phillies.   He was the youngest player on the Reading Phillies last year and he will most likely return to Reading again in 2011 where he can work on his hitting and general on-base skills. 
 
Carlos Rivero, 5/20/88 Barquisimeto, Venezuela, 6’3″ 200.  B/T: R/R.   
 
Carlos Rivero was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cleveland Indians in 2005.  The Phillies claimed him off waivers from the  Indians on November 3, 2010.  Depending on which website you look at, his weight is listed anywhere from 200 to 220 pounds.  That puts him in the Cal Ripken/A-Rod body style at shortstop.  The comparison ends there.   In A+ ball in 2008 he hit .282 with 8 homeruns.  Rivero played at AA Akron in 2009 and 2010.  In 2009 he hit .242 and then hit .232 with 6 homeruns and 43 RBIs in 2010.  In 107 games at shortstop last year he made 28 errors.  In his minor league career he has made 109 errors in 496 games at shortstop.   I’m not sure what the Phillies have in mind for him but he appears to be destined for his third straight year at the AA level.

The International League named Steve Balboni, Wade Boggs and Cal Ripken Jr to the I.L. Hall of Fame via an announcement on their website.

As minor league fans we remember Boggs and Ripken as participants in the longest game ever played. From April 18th to 19th of 1981 at McCoy Stadium in Rhode Island, the Pawtucket Red Sox beat the Rochester Red Wings by a score of 3 to 2 in 33 innnigs. You may also remember that former Ironpig skipper Dave Huppert caught the majority of those 33 innings.

Of course Boggs and Ripken went on to more distinguished Major League careers than Hupper did. While Balboni had a great career on his own, including a World Series ring in 1985, I alway have just enjoyed saying his name.

So here is the full announcement – IL Website

The International League announced today that Steve Balboni, Wade Boggs, and Cal Ripken, Jr., will be inducted into the
circuit’s Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2011. All three players starred in the International League during the
early 1980’s, and they now comprise the first Class elected to the IL Hall by a vote of current Hall of Fame members,
along with longtime executives, broadcasters, and members of the media.
It was thirty years ago that Wade Boggs of Pawtucket was the IL batting champion, Steve Balboni of Columbus was the
home run king, and Cal Ripken, Jr. of Rochester was the IL Rookie of the Year. The contributions and accomplishments
of each player were recognized by voters who elected the trio to the IL Hall of Fame as the Class of 2011.
Columbus Baseball Hall of Famer Steve Balboni slugged 92 home runs in three seasons with the Clippers. He led
Columbus to the 1981 Governors’ Cup with a League-best 33 long balls and 98 RBI. He nearly matched those numbers
the next year in just 83 games before a promotion to the Yankees, again pacing the IL in home runs with 32. He went
deep 27 more times in 1983 to establish the Clippers all-time home run record. A former International League All-Star,
“Bye Bye” Balboni is the only man in League history to homer twice in one inning on two separate occasions.
Wade Boggs narrowly missed winning consecutive IL batting titles during an amazing two-year stint with the Pawtucket
Red Sox. In 1980, the 22-year-old Boggs lost the batting race on the season’s final day by a fraction of a point, but a year
later he improved his average from .306 to .335 to win the title. Boggs went on to win five American League batting
crowns, and in 2005 he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
Rounding out the Class of 2011 is another National Baseball Hall of Famer in Cal Ripken, Jr. Baseball’s future “Iron
Man” enjoyed a stellar season playing third base for the Rochester Red Wings in 1981. He slammed 23 home runs, and of
course did not miss any of the team’s 114 games prior to an August call to Baltimore. In 1982 Ripken joined the Orioles
full-time, following up his IL Rookie of the Year Award with American League Rookie of the Year honors. He played in
every game from May 30, 1982 to September 20, 1998, establishing an all-time record of 2,632 consecutive games
played.
The IL Hall of Fame, established in 1947, was dormant from 1964 until the League’s 125th Anniversary season in 2008.
Following a three-year transition period (2008-10) in which a total of 50 individuals were inducted after having been
selected by a committee, the Class of 2011 was the first chosen by what will continue to serve as the annual election
process moving forward. Each year the top three vote-getters who also receive a vote on the majority of ballots returned
will be elected.
Members of the Class of 2011 have been added to the International League Hall of Fame plaque display. The inductees
will be presented with “The Curtain Call” statue during individual enshrinement ceremonies to take place during the
coming season. The IL Hall of Fame plaque display does not have a permanent home, but rather serves as a traveling
testament to the storied legacy of the International League.
Complete statistical data and biographical information on all 104 members of the IL Hall of Fame, along with a copy of
the International League Hall of Fame policies, procedures, and guidelines are available at http://www.ILBaseball.com.

This morning I read a nice article on how Bison are being migrated around in small herds to somewhere in Montana. It was a nice story, trying to reestablish a breed of animal slaughtered so many years ago. Almost as interesting as those folks trying to reanimate a live mammoth from DNA.

Then I saw the announcement from the Buffalo Bison of our very own International League. It was announced that former 2nd Baseman Tim Teufel will take the reins of the team as manager in 2011. Good for him, good for the Bison and, hey, good for us too. Teufel had managed the AA affiliate for the Mets in Binghamton in 2010.

Teufel spent 1983 to 1993 in the Major Leagues with the Twins, Mets and Padres. I mainly remember him as the platooned 2nd baseman for the 86 Mets, the other half being Wally Backman. Hopefully, Teufel doesn’t have as much on his plate to distract from managerial duties as Backman did in 2004 where he was selected to be the Diamondback’s manager only to be fired shortly after the press leaked information of Backman’s financial and legal troubles. Enough of that… I’m not posting about Wally Backman although he may have had something to do with me naming my dog “Wally.” One of those names that just sticks in your head I guess.

So the tale of the Bison turns into a tale of two former 2nd baseman. Our own Ryne Sandberg vs. Tim Teufel. Sounds like an on field promotion if I ever heard one!

Really, it will be good to see another familiar name here at The Coke. Good times in only 76 days!

OinK!

It appears the Ironpig’s are seeking to increase their social media fanbase. Let’s help them out!

To follow the Pigs on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=79394292806&ref=ts#!/LHVIronPigs
To follow the Pigs on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com @IronPigs

Share with your friends!

OinK!

Ozzie Chavez, who hit .219 in 55 games with the Ironpigs last season, signed with the Chicago White Sox.

Chavez and shortstop Brian Bocock centered a shaky Ironpig infield last year turning 44 double plays for the 2010 season.

OinK!

The fifth bobblehead of the 2011 has not been announced yet..

The Ironpigs have released their promotion schedule for 2011! Among them will be a proclaimed record 5 bobbleheads!

I don’t know if you all can remember how I feel about bobbleheads… so to remind you… I think it is wonderful for the organization to have give aways. It is nice. They don’t have to but they do. Myself, I could live without them. I wish other adults shared my feelings on that. Over the past 3 years I have witnessed tantrums from people aged 20 to 60 throwing a fit of rage that would make a 5 year old proud. All because they didn’t get a bobblehead. Leave the toys for the children. Anyways, today is a good day and I’m moving on.

The first four bobbleheads will honor Dave Huppert’s replacement Ryne Sandberg. In a comparison of popularity.. we never had a Huppert bobblehead.

There will also be bobbleheads of Harry Kalas, prospect Domonic Brown and another honoring the efforts of the Dancing Dirt Dudes groundscrew team which is being billed as a “chia” bobblehead. Very interesting. The 5th and final bobblehead will be named at a later date. Any thoughts of who you’d like to see as a bobblehead?

Special for frequent reader ‘redforkhippie’, the Ryne Sandberg bobblehead will be given out on April 26th.

I usually enjoy the distractions from losing baseball. Hopefully in 2011 the distractions will be pushed to the side of winning baseball.

OinK!

Full Article can be found at : http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110119&content_id=16459312&vkey=news_t1410&fext=.jsp&sid=t1410

Or below

Innovative one-of-a-kind promotions – including bobbleheads of new IronPigs Manager Ryne Sandberg, legendary Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas and Phillies top prospect Domonic Brown – highlight the IronPigs preliminary promotional schedule and weekly specials for the 2011 season. The 72-game home slate once again includes the Friday Night Fireworks Series as part of 16 total fireworks experiences; an overabundance of unique giveaway and theme nights; and appearances by the world-famous Phillie Phanatic and other high-profile live entertainment acts. Additionally, the IronPigs will continue to add and announce additional promotions prior to Opening Day.

“It’s an incredible feeling to witness a promotional calendar of this magnitude come to fruition,” exclaimed IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes. “From Day One our goal was to reward our season ticket holders and loyal fans with novel and inventive promotions and giveaways that can’t be found anywhere else. Bar none, this is the best promotional schedule in Minor League Baseball!”

The 2011 season begins on Thursday, April 7, against the rival Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees with one of the IronPigs most-anticipated giveaways of all-time, the first-ever Coca-Cola Park Stadium Replica. The season opening celebrations continue throughout the weekend with Friday Night Fireworks (Friday, April 8), an appearance by the World Famous Phillie Phanatic (Saturday, April 9 and a Pork Racer Fleece Blanket giveaway (Sunday, April 10) that will coincide with the fourth annual “Bark in the Park” promotion. An additional “Bark in the Park” is scheduled for Monday, June 13, and features an IronPigs bandana giveaway for the first 3,500 fans.

A staple of IronPigs baseball since 2008, Friday Night Fireworks returns in 2011 and will follow every Friday night home game all season long. The IronPigs will celebrate Independence Day with back-to-back fireworks displays including a 3-D fireworks extravaganza on July 3. Another notable show is slated for Saturday, Sept. 3, following the final regular season game of the year and all of the other Fan Appreciation Day activities.

The IronPigs will give away a franchise-record five bobbleheads in 2011, beginning Tuesday, April 26, with a keepsake of baseball Hall of Famer and new IronPigs manager, Ryne Sandberg. Other bobbleheads include Phillies legendary broadcaster Harry Kalas (May 16) and Phillies top prospect and former IronPigs OF Domonic Brown (June 27). Staying true to the club’s goal of remaining as one of the most inventive teams in Minor League Baseball, the IronPigs will unveil a Dancing Dirt Dudes “Chia” bobblehead on Monday, May 2. The final bobblehead giveaway of the season is slated for Tuesday, July 26 and will be announced at a later date.

Theme Nights make their anticipated return and include Irish Heritage Night (April 20), Heroes Nights (April 7 and April 28), Dance Team Nights (April 19 and May 2), Faith Nights (May 14, June 23 and July 26) and Football Night (August 31) among others.

Several first-time giveaway items are scheduled for the 2011 season, such as a FeRROUS Replica Van giveaway (April 18), Bethlehem Steel Skyline Cap giveaway (April 28) in tribute to the area’s rich industrial history, IronPigs Oven Mitts (May 1), IronPigs Sweatbands (June 8), a FeRROUS Bobblehead Picture Frame (June 14), an IronPigs Beach Bag on the first day of summer (June 21), a FeRROUS and FeFe “Back to School” 3-Ring Binder (July 27) and a FeRROUS & FeFe Bank (Aug.14). Also new for 2011 is a Pink Jersey Purse Giveaway in celebration of Mother’s Day (May 15) and a Fan Vote T-shirt Giveaway on Sunday, August 28.

A number of other great promotional keepsakes are slated for the upcoming season, including an IronPigs Adult Cap Giveaway (April 19), Reusable Grocery Bags (April 21), IronPigs Youth Caps (May 22), Team Photo Giveaway and Autograph Session (June 7), an IronPigs Golf Visor in recognition of a belated Father’s Day (June 20), 2012 Magnet Schedules (August 29) and a high-quality 2012 Wall Calendar (August 30).

In addition to a pair of appearances by the Phillie Phanatic, the Team Ghost Riders and the Cowboy Monkey Rodeo will make their first-ever Coca-Cola Park appearance on Saturday, July 30. This incredibly unique act has been featured on America’s Funniest Home Videos as well as in Sports Illustrated. More information on this one-of-a-kind act is available at http://www.teamghostriders.com.

Also returning in 2011 is “Battlefield Challenge” – recently voted Minor League Baseball’s best in-game promotion. During all home games from June 7 through June 14, the actual playing field at Coca-Cola Park will be divided into six battle zones which the IronPigs and their opponent will try to gain control of in an effort to conquer the entire playing surface. If Lehigh Valley controlled all six zones at any point, all fans in attendance will be rewarded with a sizeable discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages available at all concessions stands.

Regular starting times remain identical with 2010 as Saturday starting times remain at 6:35 p.m. Monday through Friday games remain predominately scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The only exceptions are for Education Day #1 on April 12 (10:35 a.m.), Education Day #2 on May 3 (10:35 a.m.), Education Day #3 on May 24 (10:35 a.m.) and Camp Day on July 28 (11:05 a.m.). Sunday games are scheduled for 1:35 p.m. through June 26, 6:35 p.m. for July 3 and 5:35 p.m. from July 24 until the end of the regular season.

Single-game tickets for the 2011 season go on sale during the club’s annual National Pig Day festivities at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday, February 26 at 9 a.m. Single-game tickets can also be purchased at ironpigsbaseball.com or by calling (610) 841-PIGS (7447) beginning on Feb. 26.

To renew or order season tickets and mini plans for the 2011 IronPigs season presented by Capital BlueCross, call (610) 841-PIGS or visit Coca-Cola Park’s ticket office during normal business hours. 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.

The preliminary promotional schedule (subject to change) is listed below.

Weekly Promotions:
Tuesdays: TD Bank Ballpark Bingo.
Thursdays: Ladies Night presented by Mezza Luna featuring discounts and giveaways!
Fridays: Friday Night Fireworks.
Saturdays: Shake, Rattle & Pork Roll Happy Hour Concert Series (4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.) featuring food and drink specials in the AT&T Plaza.
Sundays: Tootsee the Clown and Friends appearance featuring three hours of free balloon animals for kids! Also post-game, Kids Run the Bases presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network.
Nightly Promotions:

April 7 (7:05 pm) – Coca-Cola Park Stadium Replica giveaway, Service Electric Cable TV & Communications (First 3,000 adults 18 and over) / Heroes Night #1
April 8 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks
April 9 (6:35 pm) – 2011 Magnet Schedule giveaway (First 5,000 fans) / World Famous Phillie Phanatic appearance
April 10 (1:35 pm) – Dog Day # 1 (Bring Your Dog to the Park) / Pork Racer Fleece Blanket giveaway, Nestle Purina PetCare Mighty Dog (First 2,000 youth 17 and under and Dog Owners)
April 11 (7:05 p.m.) – Karate Night
April 12 (10:35 am) – Education Day #1
April 18 (7:05 pm) – FeRROUS Replica Van giveaway, ServiceMark (First 2,000 youth 17 and under)
April 19 (7:05 pm) – IronPigs Adult Cap giveaway, Harvey Building Products (First 3,000 adults 18 and over) / Dance Team Night #1
April 21 (7:05 pm) – Reusable Grocery Bag giveaway, PPL EnergyPlus (First 3,000 adults 18 and over) / Carbon Neutral Gas Night
April 26 (7:05 pm) – Ryan Sandberg Bobblehead giveaway, Coca-Cola (First 3,000 adults 18 and over)/ Karate Night
April 28 (7:05 pm) – IronPigs Bethlehem Steel Skyline Cap giveaway, TD Bank (First 3,000 adults 18 and over) / Heroes Night #2
April 29 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks
April 30 (6:35 p.m.) – College Dance Team Night
May 1 (1:35 pm) – IronPigs Oven Mitts giveaway, National MS Society (First 3,000 adults 18 and over)
May 2 (7:05 pm) – Dancing Dirt Dudes “Chia” Bobblehead giveaway (First 3,000 adults 18 and over) / Dance Team Night #2
May 3 (10:35 am) – Education Day #2 presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network
May 13 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks presented by Coors Light
May 14 (6:35 pm) – Faith Night
May 15 (1:35 pm) – Pink Jersey Purse giveaway (First 2,000 women 18 and older) / Red Hatter Day
May 16 (7:05 pm) – Harry Kalas Bobblehead giveaway (First 3,000 adults 18 and over) / Harry Kalas Tribute Night
May 22 (1:35 pm) – IronPigs Youth Cap giveaway, Capital BlueCross (First 2,000 youth 17 and under) / 4-H Agricultural Night
May 24 (10:35 am) – Education Day #3 presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network
May 27 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks
May 28 (6:35 pm) – Fireworks
June 7 (7:05 pm) – Team Photo giveaway & Autograph Session, People First Federal Credit Union / (First 3,500 fans) / Battlefield Challenge Begins
June 8 (7:05 pm) – IronPigs Wristbands giveaway, AAA – East Penn (2,000 youth 17 and under) / Safety Patrol Night
June 9 (7:05 p.m.) – Health Fair Night presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network
June 10 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks presented by The Crayola Factory
June 13 (7:05 pm) – Dog Day # 2 (Bring Your Dog to the Park) / IronPigs Bandana giveaway, Nestle Purina PetCare ALPO (First 3,500 fans)
June 14 (7:05 pm) – FeRROUS Bobblehead Picture Frame giveaway, Air Products (First 2,000 youth 17 and under) / Battlefield Challenge Ends
June 20 (7:05 pm) – IronPigs Fathers Day Golf Visor giveaway, Lutron (First 2,000 men 18 and over)
June 21 (7:05 pm) – IronPigs Beach Bag giveaway, Phoebe Ministries (First 3,000 adults 18 and over)
June 22 (7:05 pm) – World Famous Phillie Phanatic Appearance
June 23 (7:05 pm) – Faith Night
June 24 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks presented by TD Bank / Girl Scouts Sleepover
June 27 (7:05 pm) – Domonic Brown Bobblehead giveaway, Nacci Printing (First 3,000 adults 18 and over)
July 2 (6:35 pm) – Fireworks presented by Coors Light
July 3 (6:35 pm) – 3-D Fireworks presented by AT&T (3-D glasses for first 7,000 fans)
July 14 (7:05 pm) – IronPigs Rally Towels (First 5,000 fans) / “White Out” Night
July 15 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks presented by Pennsylvania Lottery / Boy Scouts Sleepover
July 22 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks
July 24 (5:35 pm) – IronPigs Replica Jersey, Coca-Cola (First 2,000 youth 17 and under)
July 26 (7:05 pm) – TBA Bobblehead giveaway, Lehigh Valley Health Network (First 3,000 adults 18 and over)
July 27 (7:05 pm) – FeRROUS & FeFe “Back to School” 3-Ring Binder giveaway, The Morning Call (First 2,000 youth 17 and under)
July 28 (11:05 am) – Camp Day
July 29 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks presented by Greenstar Recycling
July 30 (6:35 pm) – Cowboy Monkey Rodeo performance by Team Ghost Riders (For more info visit http://www.teamghostriders.com)
August 12 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks presented by Phoebe Ministries
August 13 (6:35 pm) – Fireworks
August 14 (5:35 pm) – FeRROUS & FeFe Baseball Bank giveaway, Toyota (First 2,000 youth 17 and under)
August 15 (7:05 pm) – IronPigs “Man Cave” giveaway
August 28 (5:35 pm) – Fan Vote T-Shirt giveaway, Capital BlueCross (First 2,000 youth 17 and under)
August 29 (7:05 pm) – 2012 Magnet Schedule giveaway, Sacred Heart Hospital (First 5,000 fans)
August 30 (7:05 pm) – 2012 Wall Calendar, Nacci Printing (First 7,000 adults 18 and over)
August 31 (7:05 pm) – Football Night
September 2 (7:05 pm) – Friday Night Fireworks
September 3 (6:35 pm) – Fireworks / Fan Appreciation Night