Coca-Cola Park, the most visited venue in Minor League Baseball for each of the last three seasons, will serve as the host venue for the 2013 Gildan Triple-A National Championship game on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs announced this week.
The Gildan Triple-A National Championship game is a one-game, winner-take-all contest featuring the champions of the International League and Pacific Coast League and will be televised live to a national audience on the NBC Sports Network beginning at 7 p.m.
"This truly is a historic day for our franchise, our loyal and enthusiastic fans and the entire Lehigh Valley community," exclaimed IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes. "The Triple-A National Championship is Triple-A Baseball's showcase event and we are thrilled to bring it to our fans at Minor League Baseball's showcase ballpark."
New and existing full-season, 36-game and 18-game ticket plan holders will have the initial opportunity to purchase National Championship tickets when the 2013 ticket renewal process begins on Friday, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m. These plan holders will also receive a $2 discount per ticket off the individual game ticket price for the National Championship game of $19 for Club Level, $14 for Field Level and $11 for General Admission.
IronPigs full-season (Club, Front Row & Field Level) ticket holders who purchase tickets for the Natonal Championship game will have the benefit of remaining in the same seats that they have for their regular season plan. Eighteen- and 36-game ticket holders will be seated based on first-come, first-served basis beginning Friday, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m. To purchase or renew a ticket plan for the 2013 season and secure 2013 Gildan National Championship game tickets, please call (610) 841-PIGS (7447) or visit the Coca-Cola Park during normal business hours.
The Triple-A National Championship game debuted in its current one-game format in 2006, although it has never been hosted by a club in the Northeast. The Triple-A World Series, Triple-A Classic and Las Vegas Triple-A World Series all served are predecessors to the current championship event.
The International League has captured the Triple-A National Championship each of the last three seasons with Columbus ousting Omaha in Albuquerque, N.M., last year. The all-time series between the two leagues is tied, 3-3.
Coca-Cola Park will serve as a perfect backdrop for the 2013 event as the IronPigs are currently 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.
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
- "Best Game Operations and Presentation" award as chosen by gameops.com
Coca-Cola Park debuted in 2008 and 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.
