Spikes tip caps to military personnel

Proving that there’s no such thing as peak Americana, the State College Spikes honored military personnel on Sunday with fireworks and nine innings of the country’s oldest pastime opposite the Auburn Doubledays.

Also, there was a Humvee.

That’s what the price of admission will get you on Military Appreciation Night at Medlar Field. Hats cost extra.

On Sunday night, exactly how much extra depended on the strength of the last bid. An auction featuring autographed hats worn by a genuine Spike — the baseball team, not the subset of deer— during the July 3 game against the Batavia Muckdogs.

Proceeds will benefit local military personnel. Spikes employee Ashley Struble was manning the bidding tables.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had an auction where we haven’t had a hat go,” Struble said.

William Helsel and Ethan Welsh were more interested in the Humvee — and with good reason.

Both are a part of the military’s delayed entry program. Welsh still has one more year of high school to complete and won’t leave for basic training until June of next year.

The way he tells it, the military has always been in the cards — practically a family tradition — and a fate that has been waiting for him since his birth at Fort Langley Air Force Base.

Helsel, on the other hand, came to the Army later in life. He wasn’t sure what direction to take his future in after high school.

Then he spoke to an Army recruiter.

“I feel like the Army really gives me the chance to help give back and make a difference,” Helsel said.

He’s scheduled to arrive at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., late next month.

This story was originally published July 10, 2017 at 12:44 AM with the headline "Spikes tip caps to military personnel."