Spikes Fill Summer with Promotional Family Events

As the State College Spikes’ season kicks off this weekend, so does one of Central Pennsylvania’s best family entertainment venues. Going to a Spikes game means more than just watching baseball; Medlar Field at Lubrano Park is also the home for family-oriented activities.

Spikes General Manager Jason Dambach is now in his second season with the Spikes and has been able to connect with fans, which has given him a whole new perspective.

“We don’t look at it like we’re in the baseball business, we’re in the entertainment business,” Dambach said.

The Spikes are now in their fifth season and continuing to offer Daily Fan Value Promotions, something that has been developing over the last two years. During every home game the Spikes offer discounts, give-a-ways, and activities for game-goers.

The Spikes stay true to their slogan, “Central Pennsylvania’s Best Family Value”, by offering Dollar Dog Night on Mondays, Half Price Wednesdays, Kids Eat Free Thursday, and a post-game firework show on Sundays along with many other fan promotions every day of the week.

Jennifer Crispell, director of promotions with the Spikes, believes the different fan promotions help to persuade people to come out to the ball field.

She said, ‘These daily value promotions are what we pride ourselves on most and what we hope will entice fans to bring their families out.”

Besides offering daily promotions, the Spikes host different promotional events each game throughout the season. For the home opener this Saturday, Jordan Norwood, former Penn State receiver and current Philadelphia Eagle, will be throwing the first pitch and signing autographs during the game.

But the Spikes are celebrating the home opener with more than a former Penn State athlete; starting at 11 a.m. a free summer kick-off carnival will be taking place in Porter Gardens. The carnival will include new inflatables, multiple mascots, clowns and face painters.

Almost every event is geared toward children and family, much like the annual Super Splash day, which takes place in mid-July, where the left field concourse is transformed into a miniature water park for kids. Throughout the summer, there will also be events honoring expected mothers, an agricultural night filled with numerous themed contests, and after one game a chance for couples to renew their vows.

The Spikes also keep college students in mind, and in August will offer the College Student 3-2-1 Special where college students can purchase $3 bleacher seats, $2 sodas, and $1 hot dogs. On Sept. 1 specifically, the Spikes are hosting a night honoring the struggling college student with give-a-ways including a chance to win a “Student Survival Basket.”

One event that Crispell is especially excited about is the Spikes’ second jersey auction that will be taking place Aug. 27. For the past few weeks, fans have had the opportunity to vote on what they would have chosen as the name for the Spikes, if it had not been chosen (Anglers, Coaly’s, Haymakers, or Furnace).The players will be wearing the winning name on their jersey, and the jerseys will then be auctioned off and donated to the Centre County United Way.

Katie Madden, a previous Medlar Field concession worker, saw first-hand how successful many of last season’s promotional events were. “On kid’s night there was always a crowd waiting outside for the gate to open,” she said.

Many of last season’s successful events are back this year, including Bark in the Park and Paint the Park Pink. Bark in the Park is one game where canine owners are able to bring their dog to the park and sit in the outfield bleachers.

Madden has only good things to say about last years event.

“The most fun I had working there was during ‘bark in the park’. Fans were allowed to bring their dogs, no size limit, to the park and have the dogs sit with them and go where ever they did,” she said. “Luckily, crowd control was never needed as the dogs all became best friends.”

Like many, Dambach has faith in the program and the success of the season. He said, “I think we’ve put together a great off-season plan and promotional schedule.”