Spikes Set to Begin 2018 Campaign

The summer season in State College calls for the grass to be cut and the bats to be ready at Medlar Field for the return of the State College Spikes. The Spikes’ opening night contest, hosting the Williamsport Crosscutters, begins at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday.

Champions of the New York-Penn League in the 2014 and 2016 seasons, the Spikes will look to bring a third title home to State College this season. One reason for optimism is the return of right fielder Brandon Benson, who in 51 games last season for the Spikes hit for a .256 batting average, scored 29 runs and brought in 30 RBIs, including four home runs.

Opening night begins before the first pitch, as the Spikes will host a pre-game tailgate at 5 p.m., featuring $1 beer until 6 p.m. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a schedule magnet giveaway and kids will get the opportunity to run the bases after the game.
Penn State men’s basketball coach Patrick Chambers will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Fans will be able to take photos with the Nittany Lions’ 2018 NIT championship trophy.

On top of hosting the Spikes, Medlar Field will also play host to the 2018 New York Penn League All-Star game. This will be the Spikes’ second time hosting this event, with the first taking place in 2009. Former Major League All-Star and current Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez was one of 12 eventual major leaguers to take the field in the 2009 event.

Recent rule changes by Minor League Baseball will be a new wrinkle in the Spikes’ season, especially when it concerns extra innings. If a game goes to extras, each half-inning will begin with a runner on second base. The runner on second will be the player in the batting order right before the first batter of the inning. If the fifth batter in the order is beginning the 10th inning for the Spikes, the fourth batter will be the one taking second. This rule change is part of the MiLB’s push to shorten the length of games, and may be used as a testing ground for a potential major league rule concerning extra innings.

Fan-friendly promotions are a staple of the Spikes calendar, and 2018 is no different. The immensely popular Cowboy Monkey Rodeo will make its return to Medlar on Sunday, June 24, providing interest during the early portion of the season.

Penn State football also will be making its impression, with bobblehead giveaways for two former Lions. Ki-Jana Carter will be having a giveaway and meet and greet Friday, Aug. 10, while DeSean Hamilton’s bobblehead will be given out Friday, Aug. 24. Carter also will be competing in a pregame celebrity softball game during the NYPL All-Star festivities.

A large part of the Spikes experience each season is the extravagant fireworks displays blasting high over Medlar Field after a contest.

Opening night’s show will be just one of 12 over the course of the season, including a Tuesday, July 3, display the night before Independence Day