ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Snow still coated the outfield at Coca-Cola Park this week, but Matt Bari and his staff already were dreaming of sunnier days: the start of another summer of Minor League Baseball.
Top of mind was someone to prepare for 75 nights of family fun, which Bari, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs' vice president of marketing and entertainment, said takes meticulous planning, keen attention to detail and “multiple caffeinated beverages.”
The IronPigs are hiring for a director of promotions and entertainment, a position tasked with “leading the charge” with all things entertainment related.
“People must be thinking ‘How can you even think of baseball right now?’ But that’s our every day,”Matt Bari, Lehigh Valley IronPigs' vice president of marketing and entertainment
The club said the ideal candidate should have about three years of experience working with professional sports in promotions, game production or in-game hosting.
The position also will be the "on-field host" during games, so "the ability to speak in front of thousands of people is a huge plus," Bari said.
Thinking of baseball
As of Wednesday, the IronPigs had gotten numerous applicants, with hopes to draw more, Bari said. He said the position will stay open for "as long as it has to."
“People must be thinking ‘How can you even think of baseball right now?’" Bari said. "But that’s our every day. We’re putting the finishing touches on what we’ve been working on since July of last year.”
“If it’s a theme night, is the team wearing branded jerseys? What kinds of entertainment are we providing? What sponsorship elements can we tie in? We are trying to task this position with those kinds of questions.”Matt Bari, Lehigh Valley IronPigs' vice president of marketing and entertainment
Starting in late summer, Bari’s staff of marketing, promotions and communications professionals brainstorm and begin preparations for the following season.
Their full list of upcoming promotional nights, fireworks and fan giveaways was released Jan. 15. Fans can look forward to 90s Night, Football Day and themed nights to honor teachers, veterans and first responders in the community.
Bari said there also will be some “surprises for dog lovers.”
“During each home game, what does Coca-Cola Park look like and feel like from the time gates open to the time the last family leaves?” Bari said.
“If it’s a theme night, is the team wearing branded jerseys? What kinds of entertainment are we providing? What sponsorship elements can we tie in?
"We are trying to task this position with those kinds of questions.”
'Others tend to follow'
He said the IronPigs continue to strive to elevate standards of quality, fun and fan experience each year, so whoever joins the team must be ready to hit the ground running.
"People in the Minor League Baseball industry continuously look to us as a north star when it comes to the fan experience."Sam Jellinek, IronPigs manager of broadcasting and media relations
"People in the Minor League Baseball industry continuously look to us as a north star when it comes to the fan experience," said Sam Jellinek, IronPigs manager of broadcasting and media relations.
"Whatever we do, others tend to follow."
The IronPigs recently werecrowned 2023 attendance champs of Minor League Baseball, leading the minors in total attendance (567,322) and average attendance (7,990).
That came on the heels of their parent club, The Philadelphia Phillies, taking a trip to the World Series that year.
Interested applicants can visit thejob posting here.
