State College Spikes will hold their first Education Day. Here are other themed games & promotions
With the school year coming to a close, the State College Spikes are inviting students to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for the team’s first Education Day game on Wednesday against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
Game time will be 10:35 a.m., letting students take their field trip to the ballpark with an Education Day ticket package that includes a game ticket, a kids meal and a drawstring bag. It is just one of the many themed games that the team will host this season.
Here are the other game themes throughout the season:
Autism Acceptance Night
The Spikes and the Central PA Autism Community will partner for Autism Acceptance Night on July 9. The night will host autism education efforts at the ballpark, a sensory room and other events at the 6:35 p.m. game.
Bark in the Park
The first Bark in Park was held Tuesday, with other games for people and pups coming up on July 2, Aug. 9 and Sept. 2. Fans are welcome to bring their dogs to the outfield bleachers, the stadium concourse or other designated areas in the ballpark.
Fans should check out the Bark in the Park policies page at StateCollegeSpikes.com before attending the event.
Bobblehead Nights
The Spikes will host a series of bobblehead nights for the first 1,000 fans in attendance. Among the bobbleheads are former Penn State football player Wally Triplett on July 29 vs. Mahoning Valley at 6:35 p.m., wrestler Roman Bravo-Young on Aug. 27 vs. Williamsport at 6:35 p.m. and football player Michael Mauti on Sept. 3 vs. Trenton.
Bravo-Young will sign autographs for fans and throw out the first pitch on Aug. 27, along with taking part in on-field activities. Mauti is set to participate in activities on his bobblehead night.
Community Nights
The Spikes will host a series of community nights:
• Clearfield County Night — July 9
• Philipsburg-Osceola Community Night — July 29
• Penns Valley Community Night — July 30
• Bellefonte Community Night — Aug. 11
• Mifflin/Juniata County Night — Aug. 27
• Huntingdon County Night — Aug. 28
Fireworks nights
The first fireworks night was on June 3 — the Spikes home opener. Other dates include June 11, June 25, July 9, July 30, Aug. 20, and Aug. 27, as well as July 3, July 29 and Sept. 4. And Central PA 4th Fest will return to the field on July 4, though the Spikes will be on the road that night.
Guest appearances
Penn State safety Ji’Ayir Brown tossed the first pitch for State College’s home opener on June 3 and signed autographs after. Quarterback Sean Clifford will make an appearance at State College’s game on Saturday and will also throw the first pitch and sign autographs after.
Hockey Night in Happy Valley
The Spikes will take on Williamsport on Aug. 28 at 4:05 p.m. with the game being a tribute to ice hockey. Special jerseys worn by Spikes players and coaches are set to be auctioned to benefit Children’s Miracle Network and fans will enjoy hockey activities around the stadium.
NFT Night
Both the Spikes and the Williamsport Crosscutters will be rebranded during NFT Night. The Spikes will become the State College DiamondDawgs, taking on the branding DiamondDawgs NFT’s. The NFT’s were created by former Spikes player and current St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguer Evan Mendoza. The Crosscutters will become the Williamsport Bored Apes, to represent the Bored Ape Yacht Club.
“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 via press release. “Everyone will be trying to replicate what State College and Williamsport are doing because this is the first event of its kind. It’s the DiamondDawgs vs. Bored Ape Yacht Club, and we’re ready to make history. Let’s go!”
Paint the Park Pink Night/Paint the Park Purple
On Tuesday, the Paint the Park Purple Night was presented by Juniper Village to support the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
Spikes fans have an opportunity to fight against breast cancer on July 30, when the Crosscutters take on the Spikes at 6:35 p.m. Gates will open to the general public at 5:30 p.m. and fans have the opportunity to bid on the Spikes’ pink specialty jerseys in an auction to assist the Mount Nittany Foundation and aid breast cancer patients and research.
Pride Night
The Spikes will host Pride Night on Thursday at 6:35 p.m. for the game against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. The first 500 fans who enter the gates when they open at 5:30 p.m. will receiving a Pride T-shirt giveaway, which features a rainbow flag pattern inside the Spikes’ “ribbon-S” logo. This event will support the LGBTQ+ community in celebrating National Pride Month.
Scout Night
The Boys and Girls Scouts of America will take center stage on July 30, when the Spikes host Williamsport at 6:35 p.m. Scouts are encouraged to attend with a litany of activities to welcome them at the stadium.
Still Strong Night
The Spikes are set to join forces with the Still Strong Foundation on July 30 to assist families whose children are fighting cancer. State College is set to host Mahoning Valley at 4:05 p.m. with an appearance from foundation co-founder, former NFL defensive lineman and Penn State alumnus Devon Still. Still will toss out the first pitch and will be a part of the activities. Proceeds from the Spikes’ 50/50 drawing will go to the foundation.
