Paint the park, pick up new bobbleheads with the State College Spikes this summer
Roman Bravo-Young has been unstoppable on the mat. But State College Spikes fans can catch the two-time national champion this summer as part of his bobblehead giveaway.
The Penn State wrestler will be featured at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Aug. 27 as part of Wrestling Night, the Spikes announced Thursday. Bravo-Young will sign autographs, throw out the first pitch and join an activity on the field.
Former Penn State standout Michael Mauti will be in attendance for his bobblehead night Sept. 3. Mauti’s bobblehead features him in his No. 42 jersey.
Bobbleheads will be handed out to the first 1,000 fans at each game. Bravo-Young and Mauti join the lineup with the previously announced Wally Triplett “We Are” talking bobblehead.
The Spikes unveiled their 2022 promotional schedule ahead of SpikesFest, which is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Medlar Field. Single-game tickets will be for sale at the annual family carnival, which will feature a charity auction, national anthem tryouts and a job fair.
‘First event of its kind’
The Spikes and Williamsport Crosscutters will embrace non-fungible tokens for their July 9 game. The Spikes will change their name to the DiamondDawgs, taking on the identity of the DiamondDawgs NFTs created by former Spikes player Evan Mendoza. The Crosscutters will become the Bored Apes in a nod to the Bored Ape Yacht Club.
Each player and coach jersey will highlight a different NFT in the team’s collection.
“This will be one of the biggest NFT events ever, and I’m so excited that it will happen right where I started my professional baseball career,” Mendoza said in a statement. “Everyone will be trying to replicate what State College and Williamsport are doing because this is the first event of its kind.”
When do the games start?
Home games start at 6:35 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 4:05 p.m. Sunday — with a few exceptions (10:35 a.m. June 8; 6:35 p.m. July 3; 12:05 p.m. Aug. 4; 6:35 p.m. Sept. 4).
When are the fireworks?
The Spikes have planned fireworks shows after games on: Opening Night, June 3; June 11, June 25, July 3, July 9, July 29, July 30, Aug. 20, Aug. 27; and the regular season home finale, Sept. 4.
What else is on the schedule?
Other theme nights include:
- Paint the Park Pink Night, which spotlights the fight against breast cancer, will be July 30.
- Paint the Park Purple, which focuses on Alzheimer’s disease, is June 7. That’s also the first Bark in the Park Night.
- There are three more Bark in the Park Nights: July 2, Aug. 9 and Sept. 2.
- Pride Night will be June 9.
- The Spikes will partner with Still Strong Foundation for Still Strong Night on July 30 to help families whose children are fighting cancer. Former Nittany Lion and foundation co-founder Devon Still will throw out a first pitch and join the night’s activities.
- Autism Acceptance Night will be July 9. There will be autism education efforts as well as a sensory room.
- The first Education Day will welcome students as they wrap up the school year with a 10:35 a.m. first pitch on June 8.