Lehigh Valley IronPigs vs. Buffalo Bisons – 6/19/16

Coca-Cola Park, home of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Triple A affiliate of the Phillies), is one of the nicest minor league ballparks I’ve been to.  There really isn’t a bad seat in the stadium, unless the temperature is nearing 100° outside.  Then you’d at least want to have a seat in the shade.  My seat was not in the shade, so things got hot pretty fast.  The next time I order tickets I’m going to remember to ask for seats in Section 104 and up.  According to the usher that was working in my section, the game was a complete sellout.  I saw a bunch of empty seats though.  Those people either decided not to come because of the heat or were in attendance but hung out in the shade.

The IronPigs played the Buffalo Bisons (Triple A affiliate of the Blue Jays) on Sunday.  Former Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown currently plays for the Bisons.  So does first basemen Casey Kotchman.  Kotchman played with the Angels for awhile, and then went on to the Braves.  He bounced around with a few other teams, before signing a minor league deal with the Blue Jays.  I remember his rookies were a big deal in 2002.  David Buchanan pitched for the IronPigs, and I got to see Darin Ruf.  Future Phillies shortstop J.P. Crawford was also playing.  They say Crawford’s fielding has been good, but his work at the plate could use some improving.

One way to get out of the sun was to visit their Majestic Clubhouse Store.  Compared to last year, it wasn’t stocked as much.  They could’ve been running low on merchandise because of the doubleheader they played the day before.  Either way, I picked-up a new Coca-Cola Park t-shirt and a few lanyards.  With the Little League World Series coming up in August, I’m going to need those lanyards to store pins.  One of the lanyards has a Star Wars theme to it, while the other is covered in bacon.

For lunch I had a cheesesteak.  I’ve eaten hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, and pretzels at games before, but never a cheesesteak.  It was really good.  I finished it off with some chocolate ice cream.  Out of all the ballparks I’ve been to, I think Coca-Cola Park has the widest range of different food options.

The next minor league game I’m scheduled to attend is in Harrisburg on July 9th.  That evening the Senators will be unveiling a life-sized bobblehead of Cliff Floyd.  Cliff Floyd is scheduled to be there, and fans will receive a replica bobblehead.

The IronPigs ended up losing 5-3 in 10 innings.  While going through the gate I received a set of BBQ tools as a giveaway.

Buffalo Bisons

Remember this dude from the Angels?

Darin Ruf (batting) A.J. Jimenez (catching)

J.P. Crawford leading off 1st base

Darin Ruf

J.P. Crawford

Lehigh Valley IronPigs vs. Louisville Bats – 6/28/15

For the last couple of years I’ve been wanting to see the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Triple A of the Phillies) play.  The IronPigs played the Louisville Bats in a doubleheader since Saturday’s game was rained out.  The giveaway was a popcorn bowl shaped like an IronPigs batting helmet.  I didn’t get one because they were for kids 17 and under.  I usually only attend games when the home team is giving out bobbleheads, but this being my first time at Coca-Cola Park the giveaway really didn’t matter to me.

The first game of the day started at 1:05 p.m. and the gates opened at 12:00 p.m.  Right before they opened the gates, a machine turned on and covered the entire crowd in tiny bubbles.  Moments later I got to see the inside of Coca-Cola Park.  My seat was right behind home plate in Section 111.  I was also sitting right in front of the cinnamon roasted almonds, pecans, and cashews stand.  In all of the stadiums I’ve been to, I don’t think I’ve seen such a variety of food.  On one side you have pulled pork sandwiches and bacon on a stick.  On the other you’ve got ice cream and fried calamari rings.  In between are the hot dogs, chicken fingers, hamburgers, pizza, pretzels, etc…  After lunch I visited the Majestic Clubhouse Store.  They sucked me in with the OYO minifigures.  I picked up (2) OYOs, (2) t-shirts, (5) pins, and a bobblehead of their mascot Ferrous.  Next month they will be releasing a new t-shirt that combines the IronPigs logo with Iron Man.

Since it was a doubleheader, both games were only seven innings long.  The IronPigs lost the first game 6-1, but won the second game 8-3.  Coca-Cola Park is overall probably one of the nicest stadiums I’ve ever been to.  I look forward to going back.

Who wants a Pepsi?

FeFe

Russ Canzler

Russ Canzler

My girlfriend is a total pig 🙂

“Pin-Up” of the Week: Lehigh Valley IronPigs Bacon Strip Logo Pin

The Philadelphia Phillies Triple-A affiliate Lehigh Valley IronPigs unveiled a slew of new logos this week.  Fans attending Saturday games this year might get a little hungrier than usual.  The IronPigs Saturday uniforms will be covered in head to toe with bacon.  Player uniforms will have bacon styled piping down both sides of the pants.  Jerseys will have the word “Pigs” written on the front which will be underlined with a piece of bacon.  The caps, you guessed it, will have a piece of bacon on them as well.  Lets just say this isn’t the place to be if your a vegetarian.

It didn’t take long for the IronPigs to pack their store with all the new logo merchandise.  They even have a shirt that smells like bacon.  This bacon strip logo pin can be yours for $5.00.

New Addition To The Kalas Collection

This afternoon I received my Harry Kalas replica memorial statue that was a stadium giveaway last Thursday night from the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.  It sure looks nice on my shelf.  Anyone pull the Kalas cut signature yet found in Sportkings Series E?  I need it!

Holding this thing makes me feel like I won an Oscar.

Introducing The HK Talking Bobblehead

On 5/16/11 the Lehigh Valley IronPigs will be giving away a talking Harry Kalas bobblehead.  Push the talk button once to hear him make a call, and push twice to hear him say “I’m hog wild about IronPigs baseball.”  This is beyond awesome!!!  I will be adding one of these to my collection.  This will be Kalas’s third bobblehead.  I highly doubt there will ever be another stadium giveaway as cool as this.