Spring has finally sprung. The warm air has finally moved in, enough rain has fallen to green up the grass, and the recent bright sunshine has the trees in bloom. But last Sunday afternoon was not as seasonable. The skies were cloudy, the air was downright cold and windy, and there was rain and snow squalls in the air. It was just perfect to go...

...to the ball game! The area in which we live has not seen organized, professional baseball in the past 47 years. That all changed on April 11. A brand new stadium was built and opened that day, show casing our new baseball team. We did a blog on this new team in 2007, because of the way they were able to attract national attention. Last Sunday we welcomed the Iron Pigs to the Lehigh Valley.

We have never attended a minor league baseball game, and the Iron Pigs are the AAA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. We did not know what to expect. Coca-Cola Park is exquisite! It seats 8100, (9989 showed up opening day, over 7200 last Sunday) and has no bad seat in the house. But the show this team put on was unbelievable. Here are some tips we picked up about running a business from attending the game:

Promotion. There is always something happening before, during, and after the game. The game is the show, but the never ending promotion is the product. From a state-of-the-art speaker system booming music between each and every pitch to the competitive events (potato sack race, for example) between innings, there is always something other than the game to keep everyone involved. And always a message to deliver to an accepting captive audience.

Events. Friday night is "Fireworks Night". Bring the kids out to see the fireworks, every Friday night we are at home. Sunday is the "Kids Run the Bases After The Game" day. Bring the kids out to run the bases every Sunday when we are at home. Last Sunday was whiffle ball and bat day for the first 2500 kids 14 and under. Events fill the seats and expose the product to people who normally would not attend, except for the event.

Affordable. Providing a product that anyone can afford is the key to marketing success, especially in these times of ever skyrocketing costs. For just $6 one can stand behind home plate, under cover, at a standing table and drink $5 beers while enjoying the game. And if one drinks too many $5 beers, bring a blanket and you can camp out in the grass behind the center field fence, and continue to drink $5 beers. This is less expensive than going to the movies. The sign of a successful product is if it's perceived value exceeds it's actual cost.

By the way the Iron Pigs lost to the Richmond Braves this day, 6 to 2. Doesn't matter though, the product presentation will get us back for more. And as always, we welcome your comments.

The Plain Page Prophets