ALLENTOWN, Pa.: You thought there was going to be a cat pun within the headline, did not you?
Braving chilly temperatures and occasional raindrops, IronPigs followers descended upon Coca-Cola Park on Saturday night time to look at a basic American baseball sport — full with scorching dogs, home runs and …
Rescue cats.
Saturday remodeled into the crew’s first-ever “Caturday,” the place, for one night time, the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies swapped their common powder blues for tabby coats, and participant headshots had been changed with cat memes. Even a faint meow was heard in between innings.
“We couldn’t have been extra excited for our first-ever ‘Caturday,” stated Sam Jellinek, supervisor of broadcasting and media relations for the IronPigs.
“The cat has been constantly neglected when it comes to total reputation and throughout the promotional class of minor league baseball. It’s time that we modified that.”
For the followers, it was a singular alternative to work together with the various cat rescues current on the park, and, in the event that they needed, convey their feline pal alongside for the sport.
Despite the chilly climate, many followers took benefit.
Want a Willow together with your Bagel?
Cradled in a pile of blankets within the outfield was not a child, however Bagel, a 3-year-old orange tabby who lives in Northampton with mother Allison, dad Marc, and 5-year-old Ashlyn Reicher, who claims that “this was one of the best night time ever.”
“Everything is all about dogs, so it is good for cats to get the popularity.” stated Marc Reicher.
“I advised all of my pals that we had been taking our cat to the baseball sport, they usually stated I used to be loopy,” added Allison. “But he’s loving it.”
Also cuddled in a blanket was 5-year-old Willow, a silver tabby with huge inexperienced eyes and a pink leash.
Owners Megan and Eddie Lalama are newly-married and making an attempt to start out a household of their very own, however for now, they are saying, a sassy cat from the Lehigh Valley Humane Society will simply must do.
“This is so nice that they did this, since you usually do not see cats outdoors,” stated Eddie.
“I really feel like lots of people do not realize that all the outside actions you are able to do with dogs, you can too do with cats, so long as you retain them protected,” Megan added, pointing at a see-through, breathable “cat-pack” that Willow arrived in.
All for a superb trigger
Although the memes and cat puns had been all in good enjoyable, the true objective of “Caturday” was to help native animal shelters and lift public consciousness concerning the significance of animal adoption.
Present on the sport had been a number of native animal rescues, whose staffers chatted with patrons about available animals and answered questions on adopting or fostering.
“Our objective tonight is to easily get the phrase out about our mission,” stated Alan Raisman of Stray Cat Blues Inc., a feline animal rescue based mostly out of Colmar, Montgomery County. “Everyone has a [feline] finest pal ready for them. Some simply do not know it but.”
Also tabling was the Lehigh Valley Humane Society, which performed a key half within the charitable element of the night. Not solely did a number of the sport’s ticket proceeds return to the Humane Society, “Cats” jerseys worn by gamers had been auctioned off in partnership with Floor & Decor, with the ‘Pigs and the Humane Society splitting the proceeds 50/50.
Stephanie Skyriotis, neighborhood occasions coordinator for the Lehigh Valley Humane Society, says the money will help its neighborhood vet clinic, which supplies low-cost veterinary companies to the neighborhood.
“It helps cowl the cost of spaying, neutering, and different probably life-saving procedures for these animals,” she says. “The IronPigs have been so nice to work with, and it is superior to be out in the neighborhood spreading consciousness like this.”
“You must win, it is cat night time!”
Ultimately, the ‘Pigs — um, Cats — coasted to an 8-4 victory over the visiting Charlotte Knights, due to a five-run fourth inning and a strong prrr-formance from pitcher Tyler Phillips.
Sunday’s sport at Coca-Cola Park is again to regular, with the primary pitch slated for 1:30 p.m.
The IronPigs have loads of different particular occasions deliberate this season. You can try upcoming promotional nights available right here.
