Tyler Trumbauer
The future of the Philadelphia Phillies will continue to come through Allentown.
The Phils renewed its deal with its AAA affiliate the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
BREAKING: @Phillies and IronPigs announce 4-year extension of Player Development Contract thru 2020! #PigsToTheBigs pic.twitter.com/NpF374x2pQ
— IronPigs (@IronPigs) September 5, 2016
This is the second time the deal between the two organizations has been renewed as there was a four-year re-up back in 2012, which expired at the end of this season. The IronPigs debuted in 2008.
Additionally, this is the second time the Phillies have shown a lot of faith in the IronPigs and the way the organization is running as four years is the maximum amount of years allowed for an agreement between organizations, per rules set by MLB and MiLB.
The IronPigs are one of the most popular minor league baseball teams in the country as they often receive national attention for their promotions over the years.
No better marketers than the Phillies affiliate @IronPigs. How my hat arrived for 1-day name change to CheeseSteaks pic.twitter.com/ftMHhA6SLM
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) March 23, 2016
Also, the Pigs put fans in the stands as well. This year’s regular season attendance was over 611,000 at Coca-Cola Park, and consistently fills the stadium better than any other minor league team.
BREAKING: IronPigs surpass 600,000 fans for ninth straight season! Longest active streak in @MiLB. pic.twitter.com/zhYqywCypg
— IronPigs (@IronPigs) September 5, 2016
Over the eight years of operation, the IronPigs have received numerous awards, such as Baseball Digest’s “Ballpark of the Year” and gameops.com’s “Best Game Operations and Presentation” award.
The IronPigs also experience success on the field as they advanced to the postseason for the second time in franchise history this season. Their first round series against a fellow Keystone state team, the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees, begins on Wednesday.