Q:  First, congrats on taking over a playoff team.  Second, how can
we get this team to .500?

A: Iron Pig management is pleased to take over a team steeped in playoff
tradition.  We are optimistic that this team can be even better than the
powerhouse that won the South Division in 2007.  Perhaps our goals are
too lofty, but we believe that we can improve by at least 12 games this
season.  We believe that the path to success involves bribing umpires to
make favorable calls to improve our staff era from 5.72 to a more
respectable 4.00 range.  Contractors have also been working diligently
to remove seats and modify the outfield fence to aid our pitchers.  Our
path to success starts with pitching.

Q:  Presently LVI has no catchers under contract.  That fact combined
with staff ace Chris Young’s +9 hold rating, portends a field day for
opposing base stealers.  What the heck can the Pigs do (other than
drafting Juan Pierre in the supp. draft; if you can’t beat ‘em, join
‘em!) so as not to fall victim to the, well, Juan Pierres of the league?

A: While we agree that Chris Young does have difficulty in controlling the
other team's running game, the rest of our staff is fairly skilled in
this area.  We are optimistic that the rest of the staff will be able to
"help" him learn the importance of this simple facet of the game.  As to
the issue of needing a catcher, none of the available players stood out
as being a viable long-term solution for this position.  Management must
address this concern in the draft.  One benefit to adding Pierre and
Crawford is that our pitching batteries will be able to practice against
some of the best.  This will either improve their skills to the point
that they are serviceable, or it will demoralize them to the point of
uselessness.  Time will tell.


Q:  The Iron Pigs have the #11 pick in the upcoming draft.  Can you give
us an insight into how you approach rookie drafts?  Do you tend to draft
the best player available, or will Leigh Valley be filling a positional
need with the pick?

A: This is a difficult question for Iron Pig management to answer without
"tipping our hand" and giving out "classified secrets".  It has been
suggested that we will draft good behavior poster boy Delmon "the bat
just slipped out of my hand" Young.  We neither confirm, nor deny this
allegation.  Past experience tells that management drafts good cards
sometimes and drafts future talent other times.  It all depends on what
is available at that point in the draft.

Q:  The NASBL relocated into a new market with your franchise.  Are the
locals excited to be part of the action, how are season ticket sales?   A
popular promotion at other NASBL parks is “Dunk the Drunk” – this is the
one where league Commish Steve Beard sits in a dunk tank, chugs a case
of Molson Export and hurls verbal insults at unsuspecting 12-year olds. 
Is this event “family friendly” enough for the Pig Pen, or will the Iron
Pig Press’ editorial board take you to task for having Mr. Beard do his
thing?

A: Ticket sales are hot and expectations are high for the new franchise.
We plan to run a mostly PG-13 stadium.  Since we are located near
Philadelphia, we acknowledge that fans can sometimes be somewhat
"colorful".  Iron Pig management is pleased to announce several "theme
promotions" that promise to be popular with the indigenous rowdy
population.  Examples of themes include: Topless Tuesdays (all topless
fans are rewarded with one free beer), fireworks/pig roast night (worst
performing Iron Pig player will be "roasted" by Lewis Black), youth beer
night (beer is free for all fans under the age of 25), and Wet Tee Shirt
Night (self explanatory).  We have heard of the legendary drinking
ability of Mr. Beard as passed down through the Penn State annals and
relish the opportunity to experience his artistry first hand.

Q:  When looking ahead five years, what player on your team gives you
the most cause for optimism?

A: We are very excited about a couple of our homegrown AAA team
(Philadelphia Phillies) talent.  Howard and Utley promise to be pleasing
fans for many years to come.  We are considering hiring Ozzie "The
Wizzard" Smith to work on defensive skills.  If either or both of these
players ever develop defensive skills to match their potent offensive
skills, they will truly be a joy to watch.  You know how the saying
goes, "chicks dig the longball".

Q:  What attracted you enjoy the most about NASBL as a new member?

A: The Iron Pig Press is excited about the opportunity to publish articles somewhere
other than our refrigerator at the office.  We are very interested in
seeing how the dynamics of this league work (ie, large roster changeover
and year to year swings).  We are also interested in witnessing
Commissioner Beard's legendary management skills.  We can only hope to
be a better team from the experience.