Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon
Triple-A Affiliate
The Official Site of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Lehigh Valley IronPigs

IronPigs Launch MiLB's First Social Media Hub

Social media hub PorkCenter to feature on game days
March 28, 2013

(Allentown, PA) - Minor League Baseball's first and only fan-interactive social media command center, PorkCenter, debuts this April affording fans the unique opportunity to supplement their game day experience at Coca-Cola Park and beyond. Download the IronPigs brand-new app, available for iPhone and Android on Monday, April 1, for a chance to enter PorkCenter during each IronPigs home game.

PorkCenter is physically located on the Field Level at Coca-Cola Park and features a quad-screen set-up for social media tracking, game watching and more. It will truly be a social media headquarters and sports desk, allowing the IronPigs to engage with fans in a both an in-person and online setting.

PorkCenter, presented by The Morning Call, will be the first operating social media command center in professional baseball when the IronPigs open this April. The IronPigs will have an employee dedicated full-time to creating, producing and directing social media content, believed to be a first in Minor League Baseball.

"This is a complete game-changer when it comes to interacting with our fans on social media," remarked IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes. "Our fans are incredibly loyal to our club in a variety of ways, including through all of our social media channels. This is a reward for their passion and pride in our brand and product."

Join the conversation by following @PorkCenter on Twitter today and interact from anywhere, including during all IronPigs home games, with unique hashtags such as:

  • #AskPork: Ask us anything (really, anything at all) and we will do our very, very best to get back to you with an answer. Where's the restroom? What time is first pitch? Who is the IronPigs home run leader? Why do we have urinal games? No question is off limits.
  • #PorkSwag: Send us your game day photos in IronPigs gear. We'll retweet your photos and even post the best ones on the videoboard at Coca-Cola Park.
  • #PorkIQ: Have an idea that you would like to see us implement? We promise (pinky swear) to consider each and every one.

PorkCenter will constantly evolve, introducing new hashtags, themes, contests and promotions throughout the season. On each game day, fans can register via the IronPigs app for a PorkCenter "tour", learning the fundamentals of the IronPigs social media experiment. Don't forget to sign our guest book (a 7'x7' whiteboard wall) or snap a photo (or video) during your PC visit.

Other interactive elements, such as Google+ Hangouts, exclusive Twitter chats with IronPigs players, are also on tap for PorkCenter's debut.

In addition to PorkCenter, the IronPigs social media studio includes Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Foursquare, Google+, Pinterest and Vine. Search "IronPigs" on any of these sites to start receiving unique content, exclusive offers and more.

Added V.P., Advertising for The Morning Call Jim Feher: "Helping fans stay connected to the IronPigs is what we do every day. We felt it was important to partner with the IronPigs to bring Pork Center to life," Jim Feher, VP advertising The Morning Call.

The IronPigs are among the leaders in the online landscape, boasting more website visitors than any other team in Minor League Baseball and rank highly throughout various social media sites, including Facebook and Twitter.

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. Earlier this week, the IronPigs announced that Coca-Cola Park would be the first sports venue in the world to feature a "Urinal Gaming System" in a unique partnership with Lehigh Valley Health Network.

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.

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.