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IL1 Lehigh Valley IronPigs

IronPigs Attendace Tops 640,000

September 8, 2009 - International League (IL1)
Lehigh Valley IronPigs News Release


(Allentown, Pa.) - By virtue of 26 consecutive sell-outs, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs attendance reached 641,335 fans for the 2009 season - the second-highest per-game average (9,162) in all of Minor League Baseball. The massive total represents a 6% increase over last year's overall mark of 602,033 fans despite playing one less home game at Coca-Cola Park due to weather.

"We continue to be overwhelmed by the remarkable level of support we have received from the Lehigh Valley and surrounding regions since our inception," exclaimed IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes. "Our passionate and loyal fans have made Coca-Cola Park the premier venue in all of Minor League Baseball and they should be very proud of that accomplishment."

Added Landes: "We are already deep into planning for the All-Star season in 2010 with a continued commitment to an affordable, fun and unique experience for our hog-wild fans!"

Dating back to July 3, every seat at Coca-Cola Park has been sold for 26 consecutive games for an average of 9,795 fans per contest. During the final four days of the year, the IronPigs drew a total of 40,000 to set an all-time series attendance record.

The only Minor League team to eclipse Lehigh Valley in average attendance was the Columbus Clippers (9,526), playing in the brand-new Huntington Park in downtown Columbus. The remainder of the Top 5 includes Sacramento (9,126), Pawtucket (8,937) and Louisville (8,750). Of significance, Coca-Cola Park features the smallest fixed seating capacity of any stadium in the Top 5 as well as in all of Triple-A baseball.

The Crown Jewel of Minor League Baseball's most prestigious league, critically-acclaimed Coca-Cola Park continues to be received with an unmatched level of excitement and fanfare in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding regions. In fact, since debuting Coca-Cola Park in 2008, the IronPigs have now drawn a noteworthy 1,243,368 fans to the foremost baseball and entertainment venue in the Minors. Since the franchise's initiation a year ago, the team has averaged 8,818 per game - a number that significantly surpasses Coca-Cola Park's fixed seating capacity of 8,089. Every seat in the ballpark has been sold for 77% (108 of 141) all-time regular season games - including a staggering 26 consecutive contests -- with 37 all-time capacity crowds of 10,000.

The return of professional baseball to the Lehigh Valley for the first time since 1960 was met with remarkable community support, unprecedented excitement and unrivaled fanfare in 2008. By becoming one of just six Minor League franchises to surpass the 600,000 mark for total attendance, the IronPigs emerged as one of the top draws and premier franchises in Minor League Baseball. Coca-Cola Park became an overnight sensation and drew rave reviews for its intimacy, fan-friendly atmosphere and architectural design.

Excitement is rapidly building for 2010 as the IronPigs will host the Triple-A All-Star Game presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network on July 14 that will be televised live to a national audience on MLB Network for the first time ever. The Triple-A All-Star Game - played annually since 1988 - features the top players of all 30 Major League team's top affiliates as the International League and the Pacific Coast League All-Stars square off in a head-to-head contest.

2010 All-Star ticket packages, consisting of tickets to "Pigapalooza" All-Star Fan Fest (Saturday, July 10 at Coca-Cola Park), the Triple-A Home Run Derby (Monday, July 12) and the Triple-A All-Star Game (Wednesday, July 14), are now on sale to existing and new full-season ticket holders, 36-game holders and 18-game partial plan holders that renew or purchase season tickets and the All-Star Game package by October 9, 2009.

To renew or order season tickets for the 2010 IronPigs season presented by Capital BlueCross, call (610) 841-PIGS or visit Coca-Cola Park's ticket office during normal business hours.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are dedicated to providing family-friendly entertainment and are the only Minor League team to offer bubbles to fans entering the AT&T Plaza and balloons for all children exiting Coca-Cola Park.

Check out the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Statistics



International League Stories from September 8, 2009


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