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IronPigs' "Urinal Gaming System" Awarded April Promo of the Month

May 13, 2013 - International League (IL1) - Lehigh Valley IronPigs News Release


(Allentown, PA) - The IronPigs revolutionary "Urinal Gaming System" was selected from more than 35 submissions as Minor League Baseball's April Promo of the Month. The p-controlled video game systems - the first of their kind in North America - are featured within all men's restrooms at Coca-Cola Park and are exclusively presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network.

By virtue of winning the April Promotion of the Month honor, the IronPigs will receive an automatic designation as a finalist for a Golden Bobblehead Award, presented at September's 2013 Minor League Promotional Seminar in Louisville, Ky.

"It's truly an honor to be recognized by Minor League Baseball for our commitment to providing an unparalleled entertainment experience at Coca-Cola Park," exclaimed IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes. "However, it is even more rewarding to partner with the Lehigh Valley Health Network in an effort to spread the message of prostate cancer awareness. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2013, roughly 240,000 cases of prostate cancer are expected with close to 30,000 fatalities."

The publicity received from the "Urinal Gaming System" has been all-encompassing with mentions from a wide variety of mainstream media outlets including The Today Show, USA Today, Sports Illustrated and ESPN.com just to name a few. Additionally, the fan feedback on this brand-new amenity has been overwhelmingly positive.

For those that are unaware or have yet to use, when a user approaches the urinal, the video console flips into gaming mode, using patented technology that detects both his presence and stream. Algorithms then allow the user to engage with the screen by aiming in different directions to test their agility and knowledge. The games are 100% intuitive and custom-built to provide a unique user interface along with an easy and seamless experience.

Upon completion (an average of over 55 seconds according to published research) users receive their score and a code to enter. They can then view their position on the leader board or check the PigScores.com to see how they stack up with the rest of that night's competition. High scores are displayed in real-time across various videoboard displays within Coca-Cola Park.

There are a number of games planned for the 2013 season, including alpine skiing, which allows users to speed their way through snowy mountains on a snowmobile while attempting to hit cartoon penguins (seriously). The games will rotate throughout the season to provide users with a unique experience.

The April Promo of the Month award comes on the heels of the IronPigs organization capturing the prestigious 2012 Bob Freitas award, recognizing long-term excellence in the operation of minor league franchises, with a focus on the areas of market commitment, operational practices, community involvement and business success.

Coca-Cola Park has been among the most progressive venues in professional sports since its highly-acclaimed debut in 2008, receiving numerous honors and distinctions, including Ballpark Digest's "Ballpark of the Year" award and "Best Game Operations and Presentation" award as chosen by gameops.com. Also this April the IronPigs unveiled PorkCenter, Minor League Baseball's first and only fan-interactive social media command center.

A record-setting 688,821 fans visited Coca-Cola Park during the 2012 season - making it the most frequented venue in Minor League Baseball for a third consecutive season. In fact, the IronPigs are the only Minor League franchise to eclipse 600,000 in attendance for each of the last five campaigns.

The other four clubs selected as finalists for Minor League Baseball's April Promo of the Month award were the Hickory Crawdads (Day in the Minors Experience), Inland Empire 66ers (Farewell to Twinkie Night), Lakewood BlueClaws (Restore the Shore Jersey Auction) and the Round Rock Express (Run Austin Love Boston).

Lehigh Valley Health Network includes three hospital facilities - two in Allentown and one in Bethlehem, Pa.; nine health centers caring for communities in four counties; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices throughout the region; pharmacy, imaging and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred. Specialty care includes trauma care at the region's busiest, most-experienced trauma center treating adults and children, burn care at the regional Burn Center, kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal/neonatal, cardiac, cancer, and neurology and complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. Children's Hospital at Lehigh Valley Hospital, the only children's hospital in the region, provides care in 28 specialties and general pediatrics. Lehigh Valley Health Network has been recognized by US News & World Report for 17 consecutive years as one of America's Best Hospitals and is a national Magnet hospital for excellence in nursing. Lehigh Valley Health Network's Cancer Center is one of only 21 sites nationwide that partners with the national Cancer Institute's Community Cancer Centers Program. Additional information is available at lvhn.org and by following us on facebook.com/LVHealthNetwork and twitter.com/LVHN_MediaTeam.

Single-game tickets for the 2013 season presented by Capital BlueCross as well as the Gildan Triple-A National Championship Game are available now by visiting ironpigsbaseball.com, by calling (610) 841-PIGS (7447) or at the Coca-Cola Park ticket window during normal business hours. Season tickets, mini plans and group tickets are also on sale now.


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