The State College Spikes are scheduled to open their 40-game MLB Draft League home schedule at 6:35 p.m. Friday against the West Virginia Black Bears (depending on weather) and fans will find several changes, new features and a full lineup of game themes and promotions.
WHAT’S NEW
Parking
Gameday parking will be available across from Medlar Field at Lubrano Park in the Jordan East lot for $5.35 payable via the HONK app (zone PSUCR). Event rates will also be in place for the Stadium West lot. Penn State faculty, staff and student permits will be valid at no charge. Staff will be present in the Jordan East lot to assist patrons.
For questions, please contact Transportation Services at 814-865-1436 or email parking@psu.edu.
Season parking passes for the Porter North VIP parking lot are available for purchase through the State College Spikes Ticket Office. For more information, call 814-272-1711.
Concession stands in new locations
Fans will see some concession stands at new locations in the ballpark this summer.
The Salsa stand moves across the ballpark to the Right Field Fun Deck, still featuring favorites like Walking Tacos alongside new items like Pawchos in a Spikes Dog Bowl, with a portion of each purchase benefiting Centre County PAWS.
The Sweet stand has moved to the third-base side behind Section 304, right next to Ike’s Kids Zone. New for 2025 at the dessert stand, fans can get Grilled Stickies or a hot fudge brownie with hand-dipped or soft-serve ice cream in a Spikes Dog Bowl, also with a portion of each purchase benefiting Centre County PAWS.
For adult beverages the Bottom of the Fifth is located on the first-base side behind Section 305 and new Home Plate Bar is behind Section 105. Both offer numerous beer and mixed drink options along with wine from Seven Mountains Wine Cellars.
Popcorn and Dippin’ Dots will be available alongside the Home Plate Bar, with the Nuts for You stand featuring cinnamon-roasted nuts also returning behind Section 105.
Burgertopia, which previously occupied the Right Field Fun Deck, will now be at a new cart behind Section 201.
Flashpoint Grille behind Section 103, the Steakadelphia Grille behind Section 106 and the Grab ‘n’ Go location behind Section 108 remain in the same spots for 2025.
All concessions stands will remain cashless for 2025 season, with all transactions conducted via credit or debit card. Fans wishing to use cash can go to Off the Rack Outfitters and purchase a Spikes Gift Card, which can be used the same as a credit or debit card at nearly all of the ballpark concessions stands.
Ike’s Kids Zone
Ike’s Kids Zone in left field will be all-you-can-play for $5 per child throughout each Spikes home game. Ike’s Kids Zone offers a bounce house and more games for kids to play to maximize the fun at the ballpark.
Ike’s Kids Zone Arcade is also available for an additional purchase per play inside of Ike’s Kids Zone.
MLB Pitch Hit & Run
The Spikes will host an MLB Pitch Hit & Run event at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Sunday, June 15 at 1 p.m. as part of PLAY BALL Weekend. Kids in age groups from 7 to 14 can compete in either baseball or softball pitching, hitting and running, with a Franklin bat and ball set for the first 100 to sign up.
Athletes are tested, and their measurements are recorded. Based on their scores, they may advance from a local event to a team championship held in MLB stadiums. Top scores then qualify for an all-expenses-paid trip for two to compete at the finals, which is hosted at the World Series.
Last year, 9-year-old Sid Thomas from State College, who started her MLB Pitch Hit & Run journey by winning the 10U Softball division at a local competition at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, took third place in the nation at the MLB Pitch Hit & Run Finals held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
PROMOTIONS AND THEMES
Opening night is scheduled to include one of 10 post-game fireworks shows, as well as a scheduled poster giveaway to the first 500 fans, post-game Kids Run the Bases and more.
Other fireworks shows are scheduled for June 7, June 21, July 3, July 12, July 18, July 26, Aug. 9, Aug. 23 and Aug. 28.
Bobblehead giveaways will include former Penn State and NFL linebacker Paul Posluszny on July 25 and Nittany Lion women’s volleyball coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley on Aug. 10, with both making appearances on their respective nights, and Penn State men’s hockey coach Guy Gadowsky on Aug. 28.
Bark in the Park Nights will welcome canine fans on June 8, July 8 and Aug. 8.
A few of this season’s special theme nights will include:
• Independence Eve on July 3 will see the Spikes ring in Fourth of July with a Spikes Military Salute hat giveaway to the first 500 fans, as well as post-game fireworks. The Great American Baby Races will also see babies and toddlers from across Happy Valley revving up to crawl on the field.
• Buccomania Night on July 11 will feature appearances by the Pirate Parrot, Pittsburgh Pierogies and Buccos Brigade as the Spikes as team up with their MLB Community Ally Program partners, the Pittsburgh Pirates. The night will also have a special in-game Pirates T-shirt toss, and Iron City beers will be half price.
• Star Wars Night returns on July 18 with festivities including local fan costumers on hand portraying Star Wars characters as music and clips from the films play throughout the night.
• Super Splash Day on July 24 will have 12:05 p.m. first pitch and the Splash Zone featuring plenty of water for kids to play in throughout the game.
• Paint the Park Pink on July 26 will give fans the opportunity to join the fight against breast cancer. An auction of the special pink jerseys worn by the team that day will benefit the Mount Nittany Health Foundation and aid breast cancer patients and research.
• Yellowstone Night on Aug. 8 celebrates the popular show with the team wearing special Yellowstone theme jerseys that will be auctioned to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.
• Elgses Night on Aug. 23 celebrates the Super Bowl champion Eagles, with a wink toward the alternative spelling by Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker and a fan who appeared on Fox’s Super Bowl pregame, both of whom have been invited to participate. The Spikes will wear classic Kelly green uniforms emblazoned with the name, and jerseys will be auctioned to benefit the Eagles Autism Foundation and the Central PA Autism Community. The first 260 fans of all ages will receive a Kelly green Elgses T-shirt.
For more promotions and to purchase tickets, visit statecollegespikes.com.
