A boatload of weekend games during the premier summer months, along with dozens of rivalry games against the Yankees', Red Sox' and Mets' Triple-A affiliates highlight the Lehigh Valley IronPigs 2013 home schedule.
The sixth season in club history debuts Thursday, April 4 against the Syracuse Chiefs at Coca-Cola Park, marking the first of seven consecutive home games to commence the campaign.
The 144-game schedule once again features 72 home games at Coca-Cola Park although the calendar is backloaded and includes 61 of those home dates after May 1. Also, nearly half of the games (34 of 72) are slated for weekends.
The longest homestand of the year is a nine-gamer from June 25 to Independence Day Eve on July 3. Additional holiday home games are set for Father's Day on June 16 and Labor Day on September 2.
The IronPigs host rival Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the New York Yankees Triple-A affiliate, for a total of eight games beginning with a four-game weekend summer series, June 13-16. The teams will also square off at Coca-Cola Park with possible playoff implications for a pair of series, August 19-20 and August 30-31. Either Lehigh Valley or Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has reached the postseason each of the last seven seasons.
The Pawtucket Red Sox, Boston's top farm club and Lehigh Valley's first round playoff opponent in 2011, also play a total of eight games at Coca-Cola Park with series scheduled for April 8-10, July 8-10 and September 1-2. The New York Mets Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, also traverse Coca-Cola Park for eight games in 2013.
The 2013 campaign rests from July 15-17 for the annual Triple-A All-Star game between the International League and Pacific Coast League. The 2013 game will be held in Reno, Nev. on July 17.
Per International League procedure, the IronPigs will play each team in their division, the North Division, 16 times (eight home, eight away); and teams in the South and West Division eight times (four home, four away). Lehigh Valley's North Division opponents are the Buffalo Bisons (New York-N), Pawtucket Red Sox (Boston), Rochester Red Wings (Minnesota), Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (New York-A) and the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington). Teams in the South Division are the Charlotte Knights (Chicago-A), Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay), Norfolk Tides (Baltimore) and Gwinnett Braves (Atlanta). The West Division consists of the Columbus Clippers (Cleveland), Louisville Bats (Cincinnati), Indianapolis Indians (Pittsburgh) and Toledo Mud Hens (Detroit).
Starting times will be announced at a later date but are expected to remain similar to 2012.
IronPigs ticket plan holders can expect information on renewing their plan(s) for the 2013 season during the week of August 13-17. Those interested in purchasing a new ticket plan can call (610) 841-PIGS (7447) to place their deposit, starting at just $40 per seat for 18-game plans and $100 per seat for full-season ticket packages. Seat selection for new plan holders will take place this fall and is based on purchase date, the type of plan purchased and availability.
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.
2013 Lehigh Valley IronPigs Schedule
APRIL
4-7 vs. Syracuse
8-10 vs. Pawtucket
12-14 @ Syracuse
15-18 @ Pawtucket
19-22 vs. Buffalo
23-26 @ Indianapolis
27-30 @ Louisville
MAY
2-5 vs. Indianapolis
6-9 vs. Louisville
10-13 @ Durham
14-17 @ Norfolk
18-21 vs. Rochester
23-26 vs. Norfolk
27-30 @ Rochester
31 vs. Gwinnett
June
1-3 vs. Gwinnett
4-7 @ Buffalo
8-11 vs. Charlotte
13-16 vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
17-20 @ Toledo
21-24 @ Columbus
25-28 vs. Durham
29-30 vs. Toledo
July
1-2 vs. Toledo
3 vs. Syracuse
4-5 @ Syracuse
6-7 @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
8-10 vs. Pawtucket
11-12 vs. Buffalo
13-14 @ Syracuse
15-17 ALL STAR BREAK in Reno, Nev.
18-21 vs. Columbus
22-25 @ Rochester
26-29 @ Pawtucket
30-31 vs. Rochester
August
1-2 vs. Rochester
3-4 @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
5-8 @ Charlotte
9-12 @ Gwinnett
14-16 vs. Syracuse
17-18 @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
19-20 vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
22-25 @ Buffalo
26-27 vs. Buffalo
28-29 @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
30-31 vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
September
1-2 vs. Pawtucket
