IL1 Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Andy Tracy Headlines Deep Derby Field

Published on July 7, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Lehigh Valley IronPigs News Release


Prodigious IronPigs slugger Andy Tracy - the franchise's all-time home run king - banners the field competing at the 2010 Triple-A Home Run Derby presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, Triple-A baseball announced today. The Derby is slated for Monday, July 12 at 7:05 p.m. from Coca-Cola Park.

All gates will open extra-early at 5 p.m. to allow fans to partake in the pre-Derby and All-Star excitement. Every fan attending will receive a commemorative ticket holder and lanyard. Immediately following the competition, fans won't want to miss an All-Star fireworks show at Coca-Cola Park!

An extremely limited number of PPL Picnic Patio all-inclusive tickets for the Home Run Derby still remain. Home Run Derby PPL Picnic Patio tickets are just $30 and include a padded-seat in the spacious, tiered picnic area located down the left field line that provides a fun and unique atmosphere for fans of all ages. This ticket also includes access to a two-hour all-you-can-eat buffet (menu listed above) that includes top-notch food choices and unlimited soft drinks. To order these last remaining tickets to the Derby, call (610) 841-PIGS or stop by the Coca-Cola Park ticket office.

IronPigs 1B Andy Tracy entered 2010 ranked 2nd among all active Minor Leaguer's with 257 career Minor League home runs and has added another 12 to his ledger this season. The 36-year-old has been a member of the IronPigs since the club's 2008 inception and he currently possesses numerous franchise records, including the mark for career home runs (60) and RBI (227). Tracy's prodigious home run total of 26 last season was the most by a Phillies Triple-A farmhand dating back to 1989. Of note, Tracy hit a career-high 37 homers with Double-A Harrisburg in 1999.

This will be the second consecutive Derby appearance for Tracy, who failed to advance to second round last year on tie-breakers despite hitting five first round long balls.

Durham's Dan Johnson and Toledo's Jeff Frazier join Tracy as the other worthy International League Home Run Derby batters. Johnson currently paces the International League with 22 round trippers; just 12 homers shy of his career-high of 34 with Triple-A Sacramento in 2004. A former All-American at nearby Rutgers University, Frazier's lofty 15 homers this season already signify a career-high.

Colorado Spring's Brad Eldred and Las Vegas' J.P. Arencibia have paced the Pacific Coast League with 22 home runs a piece this year and were both selected to the Home Run Derby Field. Rounding out the PCL's Derby roster is Alex Gordon, the former 2nd overall pick in the 2005 draft, with 12 home runs.

The six Triple-A sluggers will be joined by two Lehigh Valley-area high school players who qualified through preliminaries held earlier this season at Coca-Cola Park. 18-year-old D.J. King, a recent graduate of Nazareth High School, qualified first in the preliminaries at Coca-Cola Park. King will be playing at Bloomsburg University (PA) next season. Finishing 2nd in the qualifying was 17-year-old Westyn Baylor, who set a school record with 10 home runs this year for Bangor High School.

The rules for the Triple-A Home Run Derby are similar to its Major League counterpart, with players competing in a traditional playoff system. Each player receives 10 "outs" per round with an "out" being defined as any swing that does not result in a home run. Home Run totals from the first round carry over for the semifinals but reset prior to the head-to-head final.

The Derby will include plenty of entertainment, including the first-ever "Human Home Run Thermometer" that will rise higher into the sky with every home run hit!

Fans are reminded that there are three entry points for parking and are encouraged to use the Dauphin Street entrance when traveling from downtown Allentown. In addition to the Dauphin Street entrance, entry to Coca-Cola Park can be gained off American Parkway and Union Boulevard. Preferred/Handicapped Parking access is available via American Parkway only.

The cost of parking for all IronPigs home games is $3 per vehicle.

Triple-A All-Star Week kicks off on Saturday, July 10 with "Pigapalooza" FanFest from 12 noon to 9 p.m. at Coca-Cola Park. FanFest includes giveaways, games, interactive displays, free autograph signings, live music, family entertainment and even fireworks! Individual tickets are just $10 and can be ordered by calling (610) 841-PIGS or by visiting the Coca-Cola Park ticket office.

Fans can get an up close look at all of the International League and Pacific Coast League All-Stars during the Triple-A All-Star Workout Day on Tuesday, July 13 at Coca-Cola Park that is free and open to the public. For more information, visit ironpigsbaseball.com.

For additional information on the 2010 Triple-A All-Star Game presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network and all adjoining activities, please visit 2010allstargame.com.

Check out the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Statistics

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International League Stories from July 7, 2010


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