IronPigs' Urinal Games Win Golden Bobblehead

The IronPigs' revolutionary "Urinal Gaming System" that debuted this season to high acclaim was chosen as the best in-game promotion in Minor League Baseball at this year's Minor League Baseball Promotional Seminar in Louisville, Ky. It marks the second "Golden Bobblehead" in club history, joining the 2011 selection for Best Non-Game Day promotion for the club's role in hosting Lehigh Valley Health Network's 15th annual black tie gala, Go Hog Wild at Nite Lites. 

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.

"We knew these games would create a huge splash but we never could have imagined the amazing amount of recognition these games have received," exclaimed IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes. "This publicity has allowed us to spread an important message to our fans about prostate cancer awareness, which is the second leading cause of cancer death in America, with our partner Lehigh Valley Health Network."

The publicity received from the "Urinal Gaming System" has been wide-ranging 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.  

This "Golden Bobblehead" award comes in the immediate aftermath of the IronPigs organization capturing Ballpark Digest's "Promotion of the Year" award for a wide variety of successful concepts and ideas this season. Ballpark Digest is the leading guide to baseball and ballparks on the Internet.

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 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.

The IronPigs also received a "Golden Bobblehead" nomination for their social media endeavor PorkCenter, Minor League Baseball's first and only fan-interactive social media command center. 

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.

The IronPigs open their 2014 home campaig on Monday, April 7 at 5:05 p.m. against the Buffalo Bisons at Coca-Cola Park. The 2014 IronPigs season is presented by Capital BlueCross.