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January 15, 2012 · 7:00 pm

National Anthem Auditions – IronPigs

It’s that time of the year again!

The IronPigs will be holding auditions for an opportunity to sing the National Anthem before an IronPig’s game in 2012.

Auditions will be held February 18th at Coca Cola Park.

You must pre-register to be considered.

The below video is annotated with, “No pop stars, no vocal show offs, just the Star Spangled Banner, the cadets, and the US Army Herald Trumpet Corps.”

For more information check out the IronPig’s website:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120110&content_id=26299178&vkey=news_t1410&fext=.jsp&sid=t1410

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January 15, 2012 · 5:21 pm

Phillies Sign Pineiro to Minor League Deal

Tweeted and reported by ESPN, Click here to view story

Former Angel Joel Pineiro has been signed to a minor league deal with an invite to the Phillies Spring Training camp.

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January 13, 2012 · 3:43 pm

Unseen Benefit From The Tiki Bar

The newest addition to Coca Cola Park will certainly add to the park much tropical themed fun and food.

At first thought you could look at this like it’s a bad thing…

– Prime standing territory for General Admission fans lost.

– Little or no access to the players in the bullpen anymore.

– Those long rightfield home run balls will be pulled into that Tiki Bar like a black hole.

Ok, so the GA fans might be slightly slighted in this deal or perhaps they will feel that they gained access to another bar, increased drink rail capacity and menu items previously unavailable – fan reaction of course remains to be seen.

Let’s take an inside look at what us outfield fans have gained.

Increased safety in the outfield concourse.

There hasn’t been too many problems at the Coke, but there has been problems. You’ve seen the roving mobs of teens out there late in games just looking for something to do. You’ve seen the folks who have had too much to drink. It happens. It happens at pretty much every ball park.

The Security folks are usually on top of things quickly but getting them to know about it has been slow (at least what I’ve observed). Only once in 4 years did I see an employee not properly respond to an issue. (Once in 4 years times 72 games) Impressive.

Last season a woman fell and hit her head behind the bullpens. We looked left, we looked right.. no IronPig employees to be seen. We sent a runner to get EMTs. We made a phone call to the office. 15 minutes later an EMT strolled up. It’s a long walk from behind home plate when someone is laying in the outfield bleeding.

My point is, had there been an employee with a radio there, response time would have been nearly immediate.

With the arrival of the Tiki Bar, we will now have a contact point and feel that much safer in the outfield.

I don’t know about you but I’d rather feel safer then get the occasional wink from Michael Schwimer.

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January 13, 2012 · 7:50 am

Looks Like Brian Gordon Is Staying In Korea

Per tweet by Ken Davidoff of Newsday:

RHP Brian Gordon, who pitched briefly for the Yankees last year, has signed with Samsung in Korea.

Based on previous information, SK Wyverns must have granted Gordon a full release which then enabled him to sign with another team in Korea.

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January 12, 2012 · 12:34 pm

Transactions 1-12-12

Confirming Decal’s suspicions.. Nate Bump has re-signed with the Phillies.

The Phillies also signed pitcher Jesus Morales.

The Mariners are taking a shot with Aaron Heilman as well.

Not much else today. OinK!

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January 12, 2012 · 7:58 am

Is Nate Bump Returning?

I have yet to find anything official regarding the return of Nate Bump but the Baseball America Minor League Free Agent Tracker now shows him with the Phillies for 2012. If that’s the case, then the 35 year old pitcher may be pitching for the Ironpigs for the third straight year. Nate was 8-4 3.35 in 2010 but slipped to 5-9 4.97 in 2011.

Red Robin Tiki Terrace – Open House

The IronPigs held a Tuesday afternoon open house at Coca Cola Park to showcase their new left field addition.

IronPigs GM Kurt Landes (click photos to enlarge)

Favorable weather has allowed construction crews to reach nearly 50% completion and roof thatching will begin soon. The Tiki Terrace’s additional seating will increase the official Park capacity to 10,100.

Tiki Terrace Construction

While the weather was far from tropical, General Manager Kurt Landes warmed the atmosphere with his description of the Tiki Terrace and Oasis complete with Palm Trees.

Mr. Landes also pointed out that the new Tiki Terrace will not interfere with regular park updates and stated “When you get in the elevators you won’t recognize them”. The party porches will also be upgraded and other various touches around the park will be completed.

View from front row of over-hanging seating

The view from the front row of the overhanging seats has to be one of the most unique views in all of baseball and ‘The Dish’ is not opposed to bribery in order to get down there during game time. We will have to wait and see if Coca Cola Park will have its own future version of “Jeffrey Maier” as the ground rules have not yet been etched.

Following the blustery outdoor tour, the party moved inside to sample some new tropical themed menu items created by Executive Chef Jan Giejda. The Kahlua Chicken Skewers and the Pineapple Pork Skewers were quite tasty. The other interesting addition was Char Grilled Pierogies with a surprisingly great flavor. Click here for the Tiki Terrace Bar menu and here for the Tiki Terrace Bar Group Outing menu.

Pineapple Pork Skewers & Kahlua Chicken Skewers

Boneless Chicken Skewers, Grilled Steak Sliders and Handcrafted Burgers, previously available only at the FMO Painting Club Bar will make there way to the Tiki Terrace Bar Menu. I’ve had all of them and it’s great that everyone will now have the opportunity to enjoy these delectable Club Level favorites.

Great group seating is still available – be sure to visit the IronPigs Website before it’s too late.

I was fortunate to steal some one-on-one with GM Kurt Landes’ and I must say that it was enjoyable both as a fan and as a blogger to hear his insight. It’s clear that the IronPigs organization will not rest on their laurels and we are fortunate to have an owner’s group and management team that will not allow seasoned fans to become jaded and still continue to bring new fans to the Park.

I also had the pleasure to meet Jeff Schuler of the Morning Call’s Hog Blog. View his great post here.

View of CF

The Voice of the IronPigs Matt Provence and Jon Schaeffer are keeping their play-by-play skills sharp this off-season. Matt called some Lafayette Men’s Soccer and Women’s Volleyball and is currently doing Basketball for the NJIT. Jon is calling Seton Hall Basketball. Give ‘em a listen – it’s always entertaining.

Overall another great afternoon at Coca Cola Park – even in the cold!

Is it April yet?

Go Pigs!

DiPro’s Dish

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January 11, 2012 · 10:43 am

Watch Every IronPig Away Game Online!

I used the MiLB Video service the past couple years and it was great. Plug the laptop into the TV, mute the TV and tune the Radio to the IronPig’s Radio Network and see IronPig away games! (There are hundreds of other games broadcast online as well)

The only downside to this is that some teams don’t always broadcast their games. In those cases we get a “security cam” like overlook of the field.

Anyways, the reason for my post.

I received an email that MiLB is holding a contest offering a free season’s subscription. Click the image below for details…

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January 10, 2012 · 8:05 pm

Roller Derby on Facebook!

If you’re on Facebook, be sure to follow our local gals the Lehigh Valley Rollergirls!

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/Lehigh-Valley-Rollergirls/42872202556

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January 10, 2012 · 3:49 pm

John Bowker Released

Looks like Krams Korner got it right when he said John Bowker could end up in Japan.

From mlb trade rumors:

The Phillies released outfielder John Bowker to allow him to pursue an opportunity in Japan, according to a press release. The team’s 40-man roster count now stands at 39.

Bowker, 28, was acquired by the Phillies from the Pirates in August. The former third-round pick hit .306/.348/.482 in 451 Triple-A plate appearances last year, his fourth extended stint at the level.

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