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| KURT LANDES NAMED IL EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR |
| IronPigs General Manager will be Presented with Prestigious Award at Baseball’s Winter Meetings |
| IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes has been named the International League’s 2009 Executive of the Year, the IL announced today. The 36-year-old is the first staff member in franchise history to receive the high-level distinction. |
| “Under Kurt’s direction, the IronPigs have made a wonderful splash in the Lehigh Valley and the International League,” stated International League President Randy Mobley. “The organization had a spectacular inaugural season in 2008, but to come back and attract even more fans in 2009 is hard to imagine. I know Kurt shares this award with a diligent and hard working staff that has made this level of success possible. There is no question the team has assembled a great staff, but without leadership and guidance there is no focus. Kurt has all within the organization pulling in the same direction and the focus is obviously there as evidenced by another great season at Coca-Cola Park.” |
| Landes was introduced as the first General Manager in IronPigs history on October 4, 2006 after spending the previous five years as general manager of the Hagerstown Suns. During his tenure with the Suns, the club increased their average attendance each year and, overall, the Suns attendance rose just over 50% during his five-year run. Landes also directed franchises in Erie, Pa., and Staten Island, N.Y., while still retaining his general manager responsibilities in Hagerstown. |
| Under his direction, the Suns received continual national praise and media attention including ESPN the Magazine’s Promotion of the Year in 2003 for a Funeral Giveaway. Landes’ promotions have also been featured in Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Baseball America and Baseball Weekly as well as on ESPN, CNN, and ESPN2’s “Cold Pizza” among other national media outlets. |
| Originally from Ohio, Landes graduated as the sole recipient of the distinguished Outstanding Senior Award from Bowling Green State University. |
| “This is truly a team award that recognizes the hard work, dedication and accomplishments of our entire staff,” exclaimed IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes. “Our collective effort, coupled with our passionate and loyal fan base, has made Coca-Cola Park the premier venue in all of Minor League Baseball and we are very proud of that accomplishment.” |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Under Landes’ guidance, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and Coca-Cola Park were chosen as hosts for the 2010 Triple-A All-Star Game presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network on July 14. The All-Star Game will be televised live to a national audience on MLB Network and is the focal-point of a multi-day baseball extravaganza that will showcase the Lehigh Valley community. 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. |
| This is the latest in a series of notable distinctions for the club. In August, the IronPigs were honored as "Business of the Year" by The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. The award recognizes a company or organization that demonstrates successful business operations, displays broad interest and involvement in the community and brings a notable measure of pride to the Lehigh Valley. |
| Landes will be presented with the award at the Baseball Winter Meetings in Indianapolis, Ind. in December of this year. |
| 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. |
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