State College Spikes Preparing for Sunday’s Home Opener

The State College Spikes’ home opener – pause a few seconds to savor that phrase – is only four days away, on Father’s Day, at beautiful Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

The Spikes actually begin their sixth season on Friday with the first of two games in Williamsport. The Crosscutters will be the Spikes’ opponent on Sunday, as well, as the initial three-game salvo in their season-long Sawbucks Series rivalry concludes in State College.

As the Spikes’ opening-game roster was just starting to take shape, the team made off-the-field news with a last-minute change in managers. Dave Turgeon, who was slated to be the Spikes’ skipper, was tabbed by the parent club Pittsburgh Pirates to be the pitching coach at full-season West Virginia. That left the short-season Spikes’ job open for Kimera Bartee, the Pirates’ outfielder and baserunning coordinator.

Fans will need a scorecard for the players, too – at least for the first several weeks as Pirate draftees sign with the organization and are assigned to the Spikes.

One player who may be State College-bound is no stranger to Medlar Field. Alex Dickerson, the Pirates’ third-round draft pick, played for Indiana University where, as a left-handed-hitting first baseman, he won the Big Ten Triple Crown – homeruns, runs batted in and batting average – in 2010.

Another recognizable figure has been part of the Spikes’ minicamp, which concludes Thursday: Brad Fischer, who managed the team in 2008, was helping Bartee get acclimated to his new surroundings and settled in to his new job.

Such is life in minor league baseball – and that’s one of its many attractions: You never know what you might see at the ballpark.

Of course, you can minimize the surprises – but not the fun – by checking out the Spikes’ promotional schedule for the 2011 New York – Penn League season

Sunday’s first game alone will feature what the marketers are calling – justifiably, in this case – ‘a bevy of pre-game activities, special events and great promotions for the entire family.’

The gates will open to the general public at 3:30 p.m. – the first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. – giving fans an extended opportunity to experience the opening day pageantry. The first 3,000 fans through the turnstiles will receive free Spikes schedule magnets compliments of PSECU. Fans will also be entertained by ‘Bob the Bicycle Man’ on the main concourse, and those arriving early can watch Spikes take batting and infield practice.

A pair of popular area bands will perform – the Zak Sobel Band from 3:30 to 4:15, and Low Jack from 4:15 to 5:10.

Then things will get really exciting. Sky Dive Happy Valley will drop into the ballpark from 10,000 feet to deliver the ceremonial first-pitch ball to former Penn State basketball star Talor Battle. Battle will also participate in an on-field event between innings during the game and will sign free autographs and pose for pictures from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the main concourse.

The National Anthem will be performed by ‘Happy Valley’s Got Talent’ winner Riley Roth.

Then, at the umpire’s – and the fans’ – urging, the Spikes and Crosscutters will play ball.

After the game, kids 12 and under will be invited to run the bases, and the first of 12 post-game fireworks shows will light up the skies over Happy Valley.

Thursday, fans will have an opportunity to meet the team they will be cheering for the rest of the summer. The gates will open at 4:45 p.m. for the free event. The Kids Zone inflatables will be open; players and coaches will be introduced at 5:10 p.m. and sign autographs from 5:15 to 6; then from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the team will hold batting and infield practice under the lights. Fans are invited to stay and watch the team work out.

Single-game tickets for the four opening week games – including Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday against the Auburn Doubledays – and all 38 Spikes regular season home games are on sale through the Spikes box office by calling 814-272-1711, or by visiting in person weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fans can also buy and print single-game tickets at the State College Spikes website.