ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Jessica Asbury treated Cindy Jakoby to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs game against the Toledo Mud Hens at Coca-Cola Park on Tuesday night.
Jakoby accepted. Hey, why not? Great weather. Free ticket. Great company. Who’d say no?
Now, under ordinary circumstances, Jakoby would have told Asbury, “Thanks a million!”
As it turned out, Jakoby’s thanks fell nine million short.
“I’d read about tonight being when they were going to have the 10 millionth fan. But you never think it’s going to be you.”Cindy Jakoby, IronPigs' 10 millionth fan in franchise history.
Great fortune accompanied the great weather and great company, as Jakoby was selected as the 10 millionth fan in the 17-year history of the IronPigs.
“I’ve never won anything like this before,” said Jakoby, of Barto, Berks County. “I couldn’t believe it when all the cameras started coming toward me.
“I’d read about tonight being when they were going to have the 10 millionth fan. But you never think it’s going to be you.”
Jakoby had attended a few IronPigs games this season. She came away with the usual enjoyable experience.
On Tuesday night, she came away with considerably more:
- Two season tickets for the 2026 season.
- Two roundtrip tickets anywhere planes fly out of Lehigh Valley International Airport.
- Stanley 40-oz tumbler, $50 Visa gift card and Ironton Auto Body hat and T-shirt.
- IronPigs X Steel City Bowl & Brews bowling pin, coupon for two hours of free bowling for the winner and five guests and a Steel City Bowl & Brews hoodie and baseball hat.
- Merry Maids swag and a $150 gift certificate toward the price of a house cleaning within Merry Maids service area.
- Camelback swag bag including T-shirt, hat, stickers, rally towel and two mountain coaster tickets.
- Swag bag of Lehigh Heavy Forge Gear.
- One day of day care at K9 Resorts.
'Long-term thinking'
The 10 millionth fan was selected by a computerized random drawing of all used tickets in the ballpark.
How many people is 10 million? It’s the approximate population of countries such as Portugal, Sweden, Czech Republic, Belgium, Greece, Hungary and Jordan.
In other words, a lot.
“I think when I first got here 19 years ago, I was just focused on making sure Year One was great. I don’t think I ever thought forward enough with regard to 10 million people.IronPigs President Kurt Landes
In just its 17th season of baseball — 2020 season was postponed by the coronavirus pandemic — it is believed the IronPigs are the fastest modern-era minor league franchise to draw 10 million fans.
“I think when I first got here 19 years ago, I was just focused on making sure Year One was great,” IronPigs President Kurt Landes said.
“I don’t think I ever thought forward enough with regard to 10 million people. Back then, we were always making decisions with an eye toward long-term success. And even now, all of our decisions are made with long-term thinking.”
Jakoby joins other Lehigh Valley residents who were selected as million milestone fans.
The franchise’s 1 millionth fan, Terry Toth of Bangor, passed through the gates in 2009. Bill Slim of Nazareth was the 2 millionth fan in 2011. Tara Pagotto of Moscow was the 3 millionth fan in 2012. Mike Schweitzer of Northampton was the 4 millionth fan in 2014. Last season, Mike Henahan was selected as the 9 millionth fan.
'Don't mess with the formula'
Having averaged over 8,500 fans per game for the lifespan of the franchise, the IronPigs entered Tuesday’s game having drawn 9,997,521 fans, which left them just 2,479 shy of 10 million.
This season, the IronPigs lead all 120 teams in Minor League Baseball in total attendance with 490,201, as well as in average attendance of 8,308.
This season marks the ninth time the franchise has led the minors either in overall or average attendance.
“When those are low, and you’re providing good value and doubling it up with great entertainment and great service, the fans will come out. When the fans come out, sponsors continue to come out."IronPigs President Kurt Landes
The turnstiles at Coca-Cola Park have spun like a pinwheel in the wind since its inception.
The IronPigs have had 19 capacity sellouts (10,100 fans) this season as well as 33 sellouts (8,364 fans).
This brings the total to 276 capacity sellouts all-time and 683 sellouts all-time.
So what exactly is the secret sauce to getting fans from the Lehigh Valley coming back to the park year after year?
According to Landes, the secret to the franchise’s turnstile success year after year isn't a secret at all.
“We’ve got a great formula and you don’t mess with the formula,” he said.
“We have tremendous corporate support, community support. That baseline support from businesses allows us to keep our ticket prices low and our concession prices low.
“When those are low, and you’re providing good value and doubling it up with great entertainment and great service, the fans will come out. When the fans come out, sponsors continue to come out.
“If you’re a cook in the kitchen, and you’ve got the best cheesesteak in the Lehigh Valley, why would you mess with the formula?”
