The Lehigh Valley IronPigs, a minor league baseball affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies located in Allentown, began their season on March 29. With 150 total games scheduled for 2024, and about half at home, Coca-Cola Park might be worth a visit.
What’s at Coca-Cola Park?
The IronPigs led the minor league in attendance during the 2023 season, selling out 31 games.
“From the very start, [fans] now expect a certain level of entertainment, of excellence, of playing field, and we’re able to continually uphold that,” said Sam Jellinek, the team’s manager of broadcasting and media relations. “They expect certain things from concession stands and great food, great service. We’re able to provide that year in and year out.”
In addition to the stadium’s seating capacity of nearly 8,300, a grass seating area seats an additional 1,900 behind center field. Fans can also take advantage of an indoor concourse, which contains suites and the PenTeleData Party Porch area, a section accommodating large groups.
There are also several themed special events and 27 fireworks shows scheduled across the season, including two 3-D shows on July 2 and July 3. The stadium’s Coca-Cola bottle, which sits on top of the video board, works as a firework launcher during firework displays.
The IronPigs added 19 new food options for the 2024 season, which can be found across the stadium’s 37 vendors. Among those is the sweet pig burger, featuring a 5-ounce beef patty topped with black peppercorn, candied bacon and candied jalapeños.
Many of the food items aren’t too pricey either. An annual survey sent out by Minor League Baseball officials stated that the marquee IronPigs hot dog, priced at $2.95, is the sixth lowest-costing hot dog in all of Minor League baseball. The stadium was additionally ranked as the fifth most affordable of Triple-A baseball teams in the survey.
The IronPigs are also taking increased safety precautions this season, by adding metal detectors to the stadium entrances.
“It’s another step towards increasing fan safety here at the ballpark and increasing peace of mind for fans as well,” Jellinek said. “For the first weekend, the reception was very positive.”
Who are the players?
The IronPigs’ roster includes players who have spent time at the big league level. In 2023, the team was led at the plate by Simon Muzziotti, who compiled a team-high 140 hits during the season. Muzziotti’s career included a stint at the Phillies in 2022, where he hit in seven at-bats while appearing in nine games.
Weston Wilson led the IronPigs in home runs during the 2023 season with 31. His highlight of 2023 came in the big leagues when he made his Phillies debut on Aug. 9. In that game, he stunned the crowd with a home run during his first ever at bat, the same game that pitcher Michael Lorenzen threw the 14th no–hitter in Phillies history.
Nick Nelson was the IronPigs most consistent pitcher last year, throwing 97 innings with an earned run average of 4.35. On March 31 of this year, the IronPigs announced he’d be getting called up to the big league club to start the season.
David Buchanan is expected to lead the IronPigs pitchers for the 2024 season. He returns to the Lehigh Valley after pitching in Asia for the last seven seasons.
Getting to the ballpark
In addition to the tickets available for purchase on the IronPigs website, the Office of Student Involvement offered free IronPigs tickets to all Lafayette students residing on campus last summer. Some students, such as sophomore Zach Kline, go to the games regardless.
“I think I’ve been to just about every area of the stadium, the infield, outfield, dugout level,” Kline said.
Kline attended three games last season, a number he called “less than usual”.
Students can also take advantage of the many special events that the IronPigs has to offer, according to Jellinek.
“We make a concerted effort to reach a hand out to Lafayette College and the areas surrounding Easton as well to make sure that they feel like they’re a part of this,” Jellinek said.
Jellinek cited special events such as the DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game that brings in Lafayette students, in addition to Tuesday dog days that “get the college people going.”
