IronPigs to honor three millionth fan

Tara Pagotto, a 39-year-old audiologist from Moscow, Pa., was randomly selected from Thursday's sellout crowd of 9,672 at Coca-Cola Park as the three millionth fan in franchise history. Pagotto was honored during the game and was awarded with a wide array of fantastic prizes, including a pair of season tickets to the 2013 IronPigs season presented by Capital BlueCross. Since the franchise's inception in 2008, the team has drawn 3,007,239 fans and averaged 9,004 per game -- a number that significantly exceeds Coca-Cola Park's fixed seating capacity of 8,089.

"It's actually my first time at Coca-Cola Park," exclaimed Pagotto, who was attending the game with her husband, John. "We came with a friend who got us tickets at the last minute today and we are super excited to share all of the great prizes with him!"

Through 53 openings at Coca-Cola Park this season, the IronPigs are leading Minor League Baseball in average attendance for a third consecutive season and are on pace to surpass the elusive 600,000 fan barrier for a fifth consecutive campaign. The club is among a select group of just three Minor League clubs, along with Louisville and Sacramento, to exceed 600,000 fans during every season since 2008.

"We owe a huge amount of gratitude to every single fan that has ever attended an IronPigs game at Coca-Cola Park," exclaimed IronPigs general manager Kurt Landes. "Our loyal fans have made it abundantly clear that Coca-Cola Park remains a convenient, affordable and unique entertainment experience."

By virtue of winning the three millionth fan promotion, Pagotto will receive a pair of 2013 season tickets along with the following great prizes:

• A personalized IronPigs jersey
• A team autographed baseball
• Complimentary weekend stay at the Staybridge Suites
• Free massage and facial courtesy of Hand & Stone Massage
• $300 gift Certificate to the new Mealey's Furniture Showroom in Whitehall!
• 3 million bites of Martin's Potato Chips
• Free Philly Pretzel at every 2013 IronPigs game
• Course Audit at the Wescoe School (valued at $695)

Every seat in the ballpark has been sold for 273 of the 334 all-time IronPigs home games -- including 44 of 53 during 2012 -- with 92 all-time capacity crowds of 10,000 or more.

Coca-Cola Park and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs have received numerous honors and distinctions since 2008, including Ballpark Digest's "Ballpark of the Year" award and "Best Game Operations and Presentation" award as chosen by gameops.com.

Undoubtedly, the return of professional baseball to the Lehigh Valley for the first time since 1960 has been met with an unprecedented amount of community support. Coca-Cola Park became an overnight sensation and drew rave reviews for its intimacy, fan-friendly atmosphere and architectural design. Furthermore, FoxNews.com recently ranked Lehigh Valley IronPigs fans as the best fans in all of Minor League Baseball.

Tickets for all upcoming IronPigs games can be purchased in-person at Coca-Cola Park, by calling (610) 841-PIGS or online at ironpigsbaseball.com. Prices for single-game start as low as $7 for General Admission, granting fans access to the Capital BlueCross Lawn seating area, the brand-new bar at the Red Robin Tiki Terrace & Oasis along with standing room only areas. Field Level reserved seats are just $10. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance as Coca-Cola Park was Minor League Baseball's most visited venue in 2011 with seating capacity reached or surpassed during 60 of the club's 68 home dates.

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.