STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – The State College Spikes are set to begin an All-Star summer with Opening Night, presented by PSECU and Newsradio 1390 WRSC, on Saturday, June 16. The pomp and pageantry surrounding the start of the season will kick off a 39-game slate that features plenty of fun, affordable family entertainment and future major league stars, including the 2018 New York-Penn League All-Star Game, presented by the Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau on Tuesday, August 14.
The Spikes, Short-Season Single-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, will start their home schedule on Opening Night with 7:05 p.m. matchup against the Williamsport Crosscutters. The Spikes’ slate of 18 giveaway nights begins with two big giveaways, led by the chance for one “LuCKy” fan to drive home a winner with their very own Kia in LuCKy’s Kia Giveaway, presented by Lion Country Kia.
Plus, PSECU presents even more fun as the first 1,000 fans at the home opener will receive a Schedule Magnet Giveaway, and the skies light up for all fans to enjoy a “Spike-tacular” FIREWORKS show after the game, the first of 12 to dazzle Spikes fans this summer.
Fans can also honor 2016 Spikes pitcher Jordan Hicks for his historic feat of throwing two pitches over 105 miles per hour in the same major league game this past Sunday with a special deal. Now through Friday, fans can purchase a maximum of two Outfield Bleacher seats at just 105 cents each – or $1.05 – for Opening Night with the Jordan Hicks 105 Special. Fans can use the promo code HICKS15 to purchase the discounted bleacher seats for June 16.
The 2018 home schedule will feature several more phenomenal evenings as well, including the star-studded events surrounding the 2018 New York-Penn League All-Star Game presented by the Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau on Tuesday, August 14. The festivities kick off with a Monday night All-Star Tailgate Gala presented by Reinhart Foodservice, followed by Tuesday’s All-Star Celebrity Softball Game featuring gridiron great Ki-Jana Carter.
Fans will also enjoy a pair of returning favorites during the 2018 season. The ever-popular Cowboy Monkey Rodeo as Tim “Wild Thang” Lepard and Team GhostRiders return with one-of-a-kind show featuring monkeys riding dogs herding rams on Sunday, June 24. “The Bullet” David Smith, Jr. will also make his way back to State College on Tuesday, July 3 to fly through the air as the Human Cannonball. Smith’s blast-off after the game will be presented by Boyles Insurance and HAPPY 103.
Appearances by gridiron legends also mark the slate, as Ki-Jana Carter will return to Happy Valley for the Spikes game on Saturday, August 4, with his bobblehead, presented by the The Nittany Lion Inn & The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel and ESPN Radio 1450, going to the first 1,000 fans that night. In addition, “Linebacker U.” will be represented when LaVar Arrington leaps into the ballpark to meet and greet fans on Friday, July 20.
The fun doesn’t stop with humans either, as Fans and their four-legged friends can enjoy the return of the Spikes’ signature Bark in the Park Nights on four different occasions this season as well. Metzger Animal Hospital presents Bark in the Park on Wednesday, June 20 and Sunday, July 1, with additional dog-friendly games on Friday, August 3 and Thursday, August 30 presented by NEWSRADIO 1390 WRSC.
Fans can also make a difference at the Spikes’ signature jersey auctions, putting the fun themed jerseys the club will wear at select games up for bids. The Spikes will first shed light on the fight against breast cancer on Sunday, July 22, when they wear special Pink Sunrise Jerseys as part of Paint the Park Pink Night, presented by Mount Nittany Health., with a “Jersey-off-the-Back” Auction, benefiting the Mount Nittany Health Foundation. In addition, the Spikes will wear State “College” Sweater Jerseys on Animal House Night at the ballpark to celebrate the film’s 40th anniversary on Saturday, August 54. Fans can also pledge their support by bidding on the jerseys in a “Jersey-off-the-Back” Auction presented by PSECU to benefit Children’s Miracle Network.
The giveaway fun also includes another LuCKy’s Kia Giveaway, presented by Lion Country Kia, at the regular season home finale on Friday, August 31 as part of Fan Appreciation Night. Plus, on Friday, August 24, the first 1,000 fans will receive a DaeSean Hamilton Bobblehead, presented by The Nittany Lion Inn & The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel and ESPN Radio 1450, to honor the Blue and White’s all-time leading pass-catcher.
The schedule also includes 12 fantastic FIREWORKS nights, led by a brilliant show to cap off the 2018 New York-Penn League All-Star Game, presented by the Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau, with a bang on Tuesday, August 14.
The Spikes will bring continuity to the on-field product this season as manager Joe Kruzel returns for his second season at the helm. Hitting coach Roger LaFrancois will also be back for another year with the Spikes, with Adrian Martin joining the staff as pitching coach this season.
