Kramming the Suggestion Box Full – Part 4 of 7

Still Kramming—part 4 of 7:

Media:

a. I love the game notes, written by Matt Provence I believe, which are posted on the web site prior to each game. I think it says that the notes are available after 4PM for the normal 7:05 start. But, many times, I’m leaving for the park or to pick up the kids by 4:30 or 5PM and the notes aren’t up yet. I know they’re done, because I was able to get them emailed to me by mid-afternoon or so last year. And they are available in the suites, but I would suggest having copies of the game notes available for the asking, at Fan Services field level, or at the bar in the club level. Alternate plan: just get them up on the web sooner, please, or have a mobile link—or, a button on the technology package which would pull them up.

b. More radio coverage. If I’m in the parking lot or on the way in during the last 30 mins, I always have Matt and Jon on. I would suggest a further ‘Gameday’ broadcast (extended pregame) by the local ESPN 1320/1230 guys. Basically, for 90 (or 60, or 30) minutes before they turn it over to Matt and Jon, discuss the Pigs exclusively: the lineups, the opponent, the season, the impact on the Phillies, roster moves, take some calls…. I would listen every home game day, even if I wasn’t attending the game.

c. You know what else might be cool: a way to hear the home broadcast crew while attending an away game. Is this a button the iPhone app? It should be. Otherwise, some kind of third party radio app (like iheartradio) where the home call could be easily found on a smartphone. This should be easier than trying to navigate to the web site via browser and attempt it that way: too slow and difficult.

d. Better Morning Call coverage. With the inherent roster turn-over in MiLB, LHV fans need more coverage of the players on the field. I love the Morning Call feature stuff on Sundays, but would suggest a regular “game day” pre-game summary box. An alternative would be a full featured preview of the team and opponent prior to each home series. Most of this info could come from the game notes (with credit to Matt) so it wouldn’t be that hard. Baseball web sites have criticized the LHV fans for not being more knowledgeable about the game or more into the game on the field amid all the between-inning hoopla. Part of this is because there’s no easy source for this information for the casual IronPigs fan that comes to only a handful or less of games per year. This fan might casually follow along in the paper (or online mcall.com) and then know more when he/she gets to a game. Also, we’ll see if some of this changes this year amidst all of the winning that I’ve been predicting.

Kram’s Korner is a guest post to the Horn & Bell blog offering a perspective “From the Club Level.”

2011 Ironpig’s Opening Day Lineup

I’m going to do my best guestimation and post who I think will be on the field when the first pitch is thrown at The Coke on April 7th.

Feel free to comment, add your thoughts and/or opinions.

Being the first game will be an American League Affiliation, the DH rule will be in effect.

DH – Cory Sullivan

OinK!

Ironpigs Trivia

Calling all Ironpigs experts.   Just a little pre-season fun.   Can you name these 2 former Ironpigs pitchers on the mound at Coca-Cola Park?   You’re better than me if you can name both without doing any research.  I went 0-2.   

Phillies Injuries Will Impact Ironpigs

With an aging team of stars, the Phillies seem to be falling into the Disabled list early this season. It has to be expected after a long off season and the not-so-young team they are fielding. The Phillies will be fine though. They are fed by a quality system and there is hidden talent amongst its farm clubs.

What I keep thinking is… How will the Phillies injuries impact the Ironpig’s quality of play. We’ve seen it in the past with injuries and, yes, AAA is where the big clubs store their back ups and their back ups, but it still does hurt us average Pig fan when we see talent moving up. We’re likely not to see John Mayberry back (at least not until Domonic Brown is ready) and we are less likely to see Brown anytime soon either. I would imagine once he is healed he will spend more time in Florida before being jockeyed between Reading and Lehigh Valley depending on which team is at home at that point.

First, we see Chase Utley going on the DL to start the season. Last season we were fully expecting Wilson Valdez to be our second baseman. Those hopes were dashed by a better than the other options effort by Valdez earning him a spot on the Phillies bench. Good for him, boo for a team who has never seen above .500. Add in Polanco having some early troubles and we may lose another infielder to start the season not to mention Brian Bocock being injured this spring as well.

Then we see Brad Lidge go down. Could this be the shot Scott Mathieson needs to prove he truly has returned from that pair of Tommy John surgeries? He was looking awful good at the end of last season and would be a good choice to fill the need if Lidge goes down for a significant amount of time. The others, Werley, Schwimer and Stutes may be having a better spring but they aren’t as seasoned as Mathieson.

There’s also the outfield. Will Ibanez hold up? Victorino is tough but also has a history of some injuries. Could Coca Cola Park lose a few more folks to Citizen’s Bank Park?

As much as I’d like to see these guys make the show and live the dream it makes me wonder. What will the Ironpig’s look like on April 7th when they take the field beginning the 2011 season? Will the talent and effort and maturity be there to win some games or just mark time to get those 9 innings work days over with..

I was really impressed when the organization signed Ryne Sandberg to manage the Pigs this year. Huppert may have been a good teacher and good leader but he certainly was not a fan’s manager. No Tommy Lasorda there. Word around town back then was that the Phillies didn’t want to embarrass Sandberg with a dismal team. Signings and aquisitions solidified that rumor into reality. The potential 2011 Ironpigs look pretty decent on paper and in spring training. Now that has all changed.

Those pesky injuries to the Phillies. You can almost expect one of the miraculous starting pitchers to go down for a bit this season or need a rest. The infield is currently in shambles and the only rock solid healthy guarantee is the vegan burger served in concessions.

Don’t expect great things early.. at least I won’t, but I can still hope. It is a new season and everyone starts with a 0-0 record. Even the Scranton Yankees.

12 days until opening day at the Coke. Only 2 days to vote for this blog in the Morning Call’s blog contest and 20 days to get your donation in to support the Noise Nation’s charity cook book.

OinK!

April 9th – What Should I Do? Ironpigs or Steelhawks

So I’m torn about what to do on April 9th. Can you help me make my decision?

Here’s the deal. I have 2 sets of season tickets. 1 for the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs. 1 for the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks.

Both teams have a game on April 9th. Both games start around 7:00pm.

I will present a case for each team:

Ironpigs

Since 2008, I’ve missed only 3 games (All in 2008). Take 72 games per season, add in 3 R-Phils exhibition games and 1 Phillies exhibition… that’s 215 games attended at Coca Cola Park. (2 exhibition games have been in Reading) I have not missed a game since April 30th of 2008. Has anyone out there attended more games than me? (non-Ironpig employees)

The Phillie Phanatic will be performing at The Coke on April 9th. Who doesn’t love the Phanatic? Although, he never comes into the outfield to see us and photo ops are pretty rare.

It will be cold out there on April 9th. I’m no weatherman, but it’s cold in PA in April and there is the saying about April Showers…

Steel Hawks

The Steelhawks have but 7 home games all season.

I’ve attended the first game and can begin an “I’ve attended every home game” streak.

It will be inside Stabler Arena and I’ll be nice and warm and dry.

The Steel Hawks encourage Horns and Bells and noise!

We get to hang out with the team after the game. (That ever happen at the Ironpigs? Well if you’re an attractive female.. possibly)

So there you have it. Do I keep my 2+ year streak going for the Ironpigs and bail on our new friends, toughing it out in the harsh April weather, or do I take in a Steelhawks game with a Horn and Bell in hand?

What do you think?

Kramming the Suggestion Box Full – Part 3 of 7

From Kram’s Korner:

Suggestion Box part 3: Game Day!

I’m always thinking, you know. And Game Days are GREAT days. But, here’s what I think would make my game day an even better day:

3. Game-Day Experience

a. We’re all used to the single firework shot often used when the IronPigs score a run. I suggest a different level of celebration for a homerun. Three fireworks? A super-big one? (so long as it’s not too loud, you know)

b. I understand they’ve got a lot invested in the uniforms and the brand so I’m not going to suggest a redesign just yet; however, I would suggest introducing one more alternate jersey at this juncture. Perhaps a more attractive BP jersey and a new BP hat that could then be worn for those super-hot games. Plus, folks who already have all the hats (me) would have an additional hat and jersey to buy. This separate from the jersey auction nights and such.

c. For a while they played the radio broadcast over the PA in the club level lounge and rest rooms (OK, the Men’s room at least—can’t comment on the other one) but then that went away. Too loud? OK, consider adding closed captioning to the game call and turning that on for the TVs at both field level and club level. This is so that we can tell what’s going on in the game in the event of a special play or controversy whilst patronizing the concessions. This would also be helpful in order to find out what’s happening in the other sporting events which are sometimes featured on these monitors. Finally, the sound would be REALLY helpful for the TV pregame show, which is sometimes up on the screens, but meaningless without audio.

(editor’s note – the away games are broadcast on ESPN Radio 1320/1230 AM and can be listened online and/or on smartphone via web streaming applications.)

d. I know it’s expensive for the sponsors, but if you’re going to have an RBI guy or a “pest” or a strikeout guy or whatever–make sure everyone gets the prize, not just one section. Perhaps you don’t need to do it for every game, then–or you rotate them–but if everyone gets the prize I can guarantee that we’ll be more into it. The roast beef chant doesn’t work if but one section gets it. Get the whole stadium involved. The sponsors could then buy a package, just like season ticketholders do, to do the “guy” of the game on an 18-game basis or a 36-game basis or whatever. What I’m saying is that although I don’t care much about the bobble heads, I’m willing to fight for a free roast beef sandwich.

e. I noticed the Ballpark Battlefield will return. Can we simplify the rules somehow? Can we enhance the prize? Free hot dogs? In my section, nobody really cares because we (a) can’t understand it easily and (b) have already eaten by the time there’s any chance at success.

f. One night per week the gates should open a little early to watch BP. They’ve tried this for Seniors on Tuesdays, but my feeling is that if anyone wants to come at 4PM or 4:30 or whatever, they might enjoy watching BP from a designated area even with no concessions open. Perhaps just the club level? Or confined to the plaza? The area behind section 108? The ticket holder Friday BP parties were kind of cool–and I guess they will continue–but this makes it a more regular thing that more people can participate in if they so choose. I’m not against the party or the free food by any stretch, but with a more regular opportunity–perhaps closer to the plate–fans who want to watch prospects up close could get that chance (for both teams). Some stadiums have this one night per week for season ticket holders only. Perhaps allow S/T holders plus anyone who buys a special ticket add-on?

g. Look, everyone loves Hambone. But, it goes unnoticed that nobody ever cheers for Diggity. Why? Because he’s a bad guy. That’s why. Let’s bring it out in the open so that we can more openly cheer against that cheater. Too scary for the kiddos? OK, just have him wear a black mask and goatee sometimes so that he’s “evil diggity” –the regular Diggity’s evil twin. (We need a villain for the Pork Race—and while I’m at it, film a couple extra intros for the season when you’ve got a chance. Perhaps one at night…)

h. I brought this up last year, but I’ll add it again here: I think cross-promoting with the SWB Yankees would be a good idea. I know there are plenty Yankee fans around, and I know there’s plenty support for the IronPigs in SWB, so something could be worked out. I suggest a mini-package for each team to sell which would include games against the fellow team as well as some empty night games–or particular interest away team, or perhaps pre-scouting an opponent due at the other stadium next. I had a similar thought about Reading, but I see that they have some flex ticket packs which would work well for IronPigs fans on away nights. I think the IronPigs might design a 9-game pack for Reading fans on away nights as well as one for Phillies’ on away nights, and promote it that way.

i. It would be great if we could get more replays on the big screen. It may be more of an issue with the Service Electric telecast than the stadium facility, but it would be much appreciated.

Kram’s Korner is a guest post to the Horn & Bell blog offering a perspective “From the Club Level.”

You May Have Noticed…

.. the growing list of Sponsors on the right column of this blog. These are people and businesses who have helped us support our Cook book fundraiser for the National Brain Tumor Society!

Thanks so far to those who have helped!
Enter.Net!
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Philly Pretzel Factory!
Martin’s Chips!
Trexler Auto Sales!
Pennsylvania Commercial Action Network!
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Tommy Burke’s Provisions!

Please take a moment to check out these folks who have helped out such a great charity! Just click on their icon on the right!

If you’d like to help out, we are still currently accepting donations towards the publication of our cook book. Details can be found here. We are also accepting “In honor of” and “In memory of” donations to be included in the book.

Thank you!!!

DK