ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Coca-Cola Park is introducing new security measures, including metal detectors at all fan entrances, for the 2024 season, officials announced Friday.
With the Lehigh Valley IronPigs set to start their season on March 29, the stadium said it is implementing additional security features to ensure the safety of all fans.
According to a release from the IronPigs, the changes are a response to recent incidents that have led to compromised safety for fans — including the Super Bowl parade of the Kansas City Chiefs, where 33 fans were injured and one died in a shooting.
“Across the country, we have seen incidents in increasing numbers and most recently in Kansas City at the Super Bowl championship parade. While these incidents are isolated, and we’ve never had any incident here, we feel it’s time to improve our efforts to ensure our fans feel as safe as possible while visiting Coca-Cola Park.”IronPigs President Kurt Landes
“Across the country, we have seen incidents in increasing numbers and most recently in Kansas City at the Super Bowl championship parade," IronPigs President Kurt Landes said.
"While these incidents are isolated, and we’ve never had any incident here, we feel it’s time to improve our efforts to ensure our fans feel as safe as possible while visiting Coca-Cola Park.”
The detectors will be at all fan entrances of the park, and patrons will be required to remove any items from their pockets — including phones, wallets, keys — while they walk through the portals.
Those unable to use a walk-through metal detector or who opt not to use one have the option of being scanned with a hand-held detector, park officials said.
National incidents cause concern
For further safety efforts, food, beverages, weapons of any kind (even if they are held by a person with a concealed-carry permit), containers including coolers or thermoses, lawn chairs, helium balloons, banners or signs that are not in the spirt of the event or that obstruct the view of others, animals other than service animals or Dog Day visitors, and compressed are horns are prohibited at Coca-Cola Park.
All bags continue to be subject to search prior entrance in the park, officials said.
To ensure fans do not miss any action, it is recommended that they arrive early to accommodate screenings before they enter the park.
In 2015, Major League Baseball required all MLB ballparks to utilize metal detectors. At the moment, no such requirements exist for Minor League Baseball, though an increasing number of teams use the detectors for increased fan safety.MLB history
In 2015, Major League Baseball required all MLB ballparks to utilize metal detectors. At the moment, no such requirements exist for Minor League Baseball, though an increasing number of teams use the detectors for increased fan safety.
Ballpark Digest raised concerns about safety at sports complexes in 2022, when a shooting at Wild Health Field in Lexington yielded criticism about safety measures taken by the Lexington Legends.
Though a local police chief said he was willing to discuss increased safety measures for the park, the team owner stated that the field was safe for fans and families.
Two individuals were injured at a Chicago White Sox Game in the summer of 2023 by gunshots, raising concerns for fan safety at sporting events.
Allentown's PPL Center added metal detectors for all events in 2016.
The IronPigs begin the 2024 season at Coca-Cola Park when they take on the Worcester Red Sox at 6:05 p.m. March 29.
Single-game tickets are on sale now at IronPigsbaseball.com and on-site at Coca-Cola Park at the Provident Bank Ticket Office.
