Spikes High School Baseball Series, full slate of school programs coming this spring

By rscaife
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Updated: March 29, 2018

Courtesy of the State College Spikes
SPIKES TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY YOUTH IN & OUT OF BALLPARK

(STATE COLLEGE, Pa.) – – The State College Spikes will continue a tradition of community involvement with initiatives to uplift youths both in and out of the ballpark this spring. The Spikes High School Baseball Series will allow each of the six Centre County high schools to play on the same field as the pros, while the Spikes’ 2018 school programs will bring a unique educational experience into area classrooms.

Spikes High School Baseball Series

The Spikes High School Baseball Series will be made up of a trio of games, each to feature a matchup of Centre County high school teams. All three games will follow Penn State baseball games at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

The trio of matchups will be as follows:

Saturday, April 14: Bald Eagle Area vs. Penns Valley
(following Penn State vs. Ohio State)
Saturday, April 28: State College vs. Bellefonte
(following Penn State vs. Northwestern)
Saturday, May 5: Philipsburg-Osceola vs. Saint Joseph’s
(following Penn State vs. Michigan State)

First pitch for each Penn State matchup is set for 2:00 p.m., with the high school games scheduled to follow at 6:00 p.m. Fans wishing any of the Spikes High School Baseball Series games can purchase a ticket for the Penn State game and receive free admission to the high school game afterward. All seats for Penn State home games are general admission, with prices set at $5 for adults and $3 for students and youth. Group discounts and the option to access the Hospitality Suite are also available.

Once the Penn State game ends, general admission tickets for each high school game will be available at the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Ticket Office for $3 apiece. Tickets can be ordered in advance by calling (814) 272-1711.

Spikes School Programs

The Spikes will also continue their outreach efforts with a quartet of school programs for the remainder of the school year. Each of the Spikes’ school programs offers a unique theme and focus, with the common goal of using the Spikes brand to supplement classroom curriculum in the areas of reading, writing, exercising, eating healthy and conserving water. These programs are always offered free of charge to area schools in Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and other counties.

Students in grades K-8 will have the opportunity to earn tickets to a Spikes home game upon completion of one of these fun and education school programs. Most programs are implemented through school assemblies and involve Spikes mascots and front office staff.

The Spikes’ four school programs are:

– Healthy Home Runs presented by Mount Nittany Health: Designed to promote a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition and physical activity, Healthy Home Runs will bring Ike the Spike and representatives from Mount Nittany Health to schools for an assembly that includes “Ike’s Fun Fit Challenge.”
– Books & Baseball presented by BB&T: This program encourages students in grades K-8 to complete a reading program, with free Spikes tickets upon completion. Books & Baseball includes a free assembly and reading presentation with the BB&T Nookie Monster at any of the participating schools.
– Head Above Water presented by the State College Borough Water Authority: Ike the Spike, along with a representative from the State College Borough Water Authority, will be educating students on the importance of water conservation and the effects it can have. The program includes a free assembly and water conservation presentation with Ike the Spike and the State College Borough Water Authority at any of the participating schools!
– Spikes Essay Contest presented by the Centre Daily Times: The Spikes Essay Contest is for K-8 students to creatively share their experiences and thoughts about the State College Spikes through pictures or essays. The contest is divided into three different grade levels: K-1, 2-4 and 5-8, with a different topic for each.

More information on the Spikes’ school programs can be found online at StateCollegeSpikes.com. Teachers or administrators interested in participating in any of the State College Spikes School Programs can contact Spikes Manager of Communications Joe Putnam at (814) 272-1711 or jputnam@statecollegespikes.com.

“We are proud to once again provide a fun way to engage students in our local schools with our school programs, and expand our mission of community involvement with the Spikes High School Baseball Series,” said Spikes General Manager Scott Walker. “It is our privilege at the Spikes to serve as a gathering point for so many community members of all ages in the Centre Region.”

The Spikes return for an All-Star summer at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, with the 2018 New York-Penn League All-Star Game on Tuesday, August 14 serving as the centerpiece of a jam-packed schedule that begins with the Home Opener on Saturday, June 16. The Spikes will host 39 nights of fun, affordable family entertainment through August 31.

To find out more about Season Seat Memberships, Value Plans, Flex Books and a variety of different group packages and experiences for the 2018 season, call the Spikes at (814) 272-1711. Additional team and ticket information can also be viewed by visiting State College Spikes.com.