OFFICIAL IRONPIGS NEWS
For Immediate Release
Jon Schaeffer
August 7, 2012

IRONPIGS UNMASK 2013 SCHEDULE

(Allentown, Pa) – A boatload of weekend games during the premier summer months, along with dozens of rivalry games against the Yankees’, Red Sox’ and Mets’ Triple-A affiliates highlight the Lehigh Valley IronPigs 2013 home schedule, the club announced on Tuesday.  The sixth season in club history debuts Thursday, April 4 against the Syracuse Chiefs at Coca-Cola Park, marking the first of seven consecutive home games to commence the campaign.

The 144-game schedule once again features 72 home games at Coca-Cola Park although the calendar is backloaded and includes 61 of those home dates after May 1. Also, nearly half of the games (34 of 72) are slated for weekends.  The longest homestand of the year is a nine-gamer from June 25 to Independence Day Eve on July 3.  Additional holiday home games are set for Father’s Day on June 16 and Labor Day on September 2.

The IronPigs host rival Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the New York Yankees Triple-A affiliate, for a total of eight games beginning with a four-game weekend summer series, June 13-16.  The teams will also square off at Coca-Cola Park with possible playoff implications for a pair of series, August 19-20 and August 30-31.  Either Lehigh Valley or Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has reached the postseason each of the last seven seasons.

The Pawtucket Red Sox, Boston’s top farm club and Lehigh Valley’s first round playoff opponent in 2011, also play a total of eight games at Coca-Cola Park with series scheduled for April 8-10, July 8-10 and September 1-2.  The New York Mets Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, also traverse Coca-Cola Park for eight games in 2013.

The 2013 campaign rests from July 15-17 for the annual Triple-A All-Star game between the International League and Pacific Coast League.  The 2013 game will be held in Reno, Nev. on July 17.

Per International League procedure, the IronPigs will play each team in their division, the North Division, 16 times (eight home, eight away); and teams in the South and West Division eight times (four home, four away). Lehigh Valley’s North Division opponents are the Buffalo Bisons (New York-N), Pawtucket Red Sox (Boston), Rochester Red Wings (Minnesota), Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (New York-A) and the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington). Teams in the South Division are the Charlotte Knights (Chicago-A), Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay), Norfolk Tides (Baltimore) and Gwinnett Braves (Atlanta). The West Division consists of the Columbus Clippers (Cleveland), Louisville Bats (Cincinnati), Indianapolis Indians (Pittsburgh) and Toledo Mud Hens (Detroit).

Starting times will be announced at a later date but are expected to remain similar to 2012.

IronPigs ticket plan holders can expect information on renewing their plan(s) for the 2013 season during the week of August 13-17.  Those interested in purchasing a new ticket plan can call (610) 841-PIGS (7447) to place their deposit, starting at just $40 per seat for 18-game plans and $100 per seat for full-season ticket packages.  Seat selection for new plan holders will take place this fall and is based on purchase date, the type of plan purchased and availability.

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.

2013 Lehigh Valley IronPigs Schedule

APRIL

4-7 vs. Syracuse

8-10 vs. Pawtucket

12-14 @ Syracuse

15-18 @ Pawtucket

19-22 vs. Buffalo

23-26 @ Indianapolis

27-30 @ Louisville

MAY

2-5 vs. Indianapolis

6-9 vs. Louisville

10-13 @ Durham

14-17 @ Norfolk

18-21 vs. Rochester

23-26 vs. Norfolk

27-30 @ Rochester

31 vs. Gwinnett

June

1-3 vs. Gwinnett

4-7 @ Buffalo

8-11 vs. Charlotte

13-16 vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

17-20 @ Toledo

21-24 @ Columbus

25-28 vs. Durham

29-30 vs. Toledo

July

1-2 vs. Toledo

3 vs. Syracuse

4-5 @ Syracuse

6-7 @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

8-10 vs. Pawtucket

11-12 vs. Buffalo

13-14 @ Syracuse

15-17 ALL STAR BREAK in Reno, Nev.

18-21 vs. Columbus

22-25 @ Rochester

26-29 @ Pawtucket

30-31 vs. Rochester

August

1-2 vs. Rochester

3-4 @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

5-8 @ Charlotte

9-12 @ Gwinnett

14-16 vs. Syracuse

17-18 @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

19-20 vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

22-25 @ Buffalo

26-27 vs. Buffalo

28-29 @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

30-31 vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

September

1-2 vs. Pawtucket

As you probably know by now the Philadelphia Phillies have (re)signed a Player Development Contract (PDC) with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs for 4 more years. But the announcement was not made in typical fashion.

Most teams would have quietly issued a Press Release stating they are happy to be affiliated with… blah blah blah… and that would have been that.

Not our IronPigs however!

In the usual “Pig and Circumstance” the stage was set and many different P symbols were present with former IronPigs names written on them. During this time as the projector was being setup I saw “Pigs to the Bigs Awards” across the installed movie screen.

There have been in fact 50 ‘Pigs that have gone to the Bigs including 1 coach (Greg Gross) since 2008. Click here for the Official Release PDF.

Suddenly we were at the Best Affiliate Award Show Gala. Erin Holt began the festivities with a video of some former IronPigs now in the Bigs, including a

faux Chooch who in his best accent said: “Baseball be berry berry good to me” – quite a comical moment. The Vanimal even made an appearance in the “Red Carpet” video. Erin who usually brings you many of those great pix around CCP did a great job in front of the camera as did all of the other IronPigs employees who participated. I would pay money for the outtakes – it looked like a blast!! Perhaps in the director’s cut??

With Jon Schaeffer M’Cing the show the winner’s envelope was handed to Diggity who nervously opened the package to reveal that the IronPigs and the Phillies were the “winners”. This prompted GM Kurt Landes to bolt from his chair raising his fists in the air whooping it up – another funny moment for sure.

Kurt thanked his wife, the media, his kids, the employees and his kids again during his raucous “acceptance speech”. The whole production was well thought out and if there is ever a category for best fake acceptance speech at a fake awards show – well then Kurt Landes would surely win the “Fakey” with his touching and humorous performance. It was all a Laugh Out Loud moment!

It was then time for Phillies Assistant Director of Player Development Steve Nowryarta to take the mic and express his gratitude for LHV and the pleasure it was to (re) sign the PDC. Despite the fact that it was printed on the press release I asked Jon Schaeffer why 4 years? The answer was because that is the maximum amount of time allowed by MLB and neither of us could imagine the IronPigs affiliated with anyone but the Phillies – ever.

Steve later commented on proximity of CBP to Lakewood, Reading and of course the Lehigh Valley. While the Phillies as a team are “slumping”, it’s difficult to argue that any other team has a better Minor League System in place and clearly today proved that very fact.

So while not particular exciting news it’s still good to know that we won’t be watching the AAA affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays anytime soon!

While I didn’t ask about all 14 of my guesses from the previous post, the 2013 Championship Game at CCP was mentioned. Kurt Landes said LHV would be happy to host despite the fact that the organization must cover all expenses including player’s salaries. He thought MilB would take a wait and see approach on how moving it from stadium to stadium was working out and decide from there. I think we’ll see it in the next few years at least.

During conversation with Kurt Landes, as we were enjoying a make your own Cheesteak bar, I inquired about the rumor of Director of Field Operations, Bill Butler’s departure and promotion to the Kansas City Royals. With a smile, Kurt mentioned it was funny I had asked that question as he had heard that rumor but wasn’t sure where it came from (I didn’t tell him). He and Bill even spoke about it and Kurt assured me that at this time Bill Butler isn’t going anywhere. Anything is possible but it seems that we will continue to have one of the best maintained fields in the game for the time being.

I noticed some work going on out in “The Trough” and asked Kurt about that as well. He said basically just a freshen up of the “It’s outta here” signage area so if anyone

has a piece of the old sign, perhaps broken by the bat of Richie T it should do well on eBay!

As always a nice production by the IronPigs and we can never take for granted what we have here in the LHV and we are lucky to be a part of it.

Dishing for 4 more years

So our friend Jon Schaeffer (the other Voice) sent out a media release containing information of a significant announcement tomorrow at Coca-Cola Park at 1:30 pm and speculation is running rampant on what it might be.

Rumors have run the gambit from a new Head Grounds Keeper to a Dome (*snicker*) to pretty much everything in between.

We’ll find out tomorrow but here’s a few guesses to get you started:

1. Coca-Cola Park will be the home of the 2013 Triple-A Championship – it’s possible, not likely since it’s in Durham this year

2. New food vendor – perhaps a local staple?

3. The new IronPigs “Porking” Deck?

4. A New Scoreboard?
a. A “ribbon” board around the club level?

5. New looks for the Mascot(s)?

6. Additional Seating? (Bleacher seats? The extension of the Club Level)

7. A Phillies Alum joining the team or front office?

8. The announcement of Richie T Alley?

9. Free parking for the rest of the season? (*smile*)

10. A major concert coming to Coca-Cola Park?

11. New Unis and/or logo redesign for 2012?

12. The Hockey Stadium Project has been scrapped and all games will be played outdoors at CCP?

13. Section 108 will be renamed the Jimmy T section?

14. The 3 millionth guest through the gate get’s the Park named after them for a day and lifetime season tickets?

15. New food item contest?

Finally and best of all the IronPigs and Phillies are going to switch stadiums for an evening and all IronPigs’ season ticket holders get a free ticket and luxury bus ride to CBP! (hopefully not in the same night!)

Probably none of the above. Regardless, these announcements are usually interesting so we’ll just have to wait and see!

Anyone have any other guesses?

The first guess that is correct will receive two field-level vouchers valid for any Monday – Thursday regular season 2012 game.

Dishing Puzzled (or am I?)