Outreach programs provide lessons to over 15,000 Central PA students
The State College Spikes are pleased to announce the team’s roster of 2015 school programs. Each program has 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.
Most programs are implemented through school assemblies and involve mascots, players and front office staff. All programs offer K-8 students the opportunity to earn free tickets to a Spikes’ home game upon completion of one of the fun and educational school programs. The Spikes annually reach over 15,000 Central Pennsylvania school children in Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Huntingdon, Mifflin and Juniata Counties through community outreach programs.
New for the 2015 season is the “Head Above Water” program presented by the State College Borough Water Authority. The program teaches water conservation and its positive effects, with a free Spikes ticket offered upon completion of the program.
Below are capsules of the Spikes 2015 school programs:
Healthy Home Runs presented by Mount Nittany Health
The Spikes and Mount Nittany Health are offering this school program, which is designed to promote a healthy lifestyle by creating awareness of the importance of proper nutrition and physical activity. Ike the Spike and representatives from Mount Nittany Health will visit schools to hold a kick-off assembly, which can be held outside or inside. During the assembly, K-6 students will be educated on the importance of exercise and nutrition before having the opportunity to take “Ike’s Fun Fit Challenge.” Students who complete the simple and fun physical fitness challenge will be rewarded with one complimentary Bullpen Box ticket and an on-field recognition ceremony during the Spikes’ Healthy Home Runs Day at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Sunday, August 2.
Books and Baseball Program presented by National Penn Bank
The Spikes and National Penn Bank have partnered for the Books and Baseball Reading Program for the 2015 season. This program encourages students to complete a reading program by rewarding them with free Spikes tickets upon completion. Participating students will receive a special bookmark to keep track of the books they read. Any participating student that reads four books under the supervision of their teacher or parent will earn one free ticket for a designated Books and Baseball game during the 2015 season. At those games, participants will be honored from the field for their participation and completion of the programs. The program includes a free assembly and reading presentation with the National Penn Bank Nook Monster at any of the participating schools. Books and Baseball is designed for students in grades K-8.
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. Students in kindergarten through first grade are encouraged to include drawings along with one sentence for the theme “If I were Ike the Spike.” The second to fourth grade group will be asked to write a short essay entitled “If I coached the Spikes.” Fifth to eighth graders will be encouraged to write a 300 word or fewer essay entitled “If I could create a new food item for the Spikes, it would be (blank).” A winning essay will be chosen in each of the three age groups and those winners will earn tickets to a 2015 Spikes home game for their entire grade. The submission deadline for the Spikes Essay Contest is June 1.
“Head Above Water” presented by the State College Borough Water Authority
All new for 2015 – the State College Borough Water Authority and the Spikes have partnered to implement a youth water conservation awareness program, “Head Above Water.” 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 is an initiative that will encourage students to practice good water conservation habits by rewarding them with a free Spikes ticket upon completion of the program. Participating students will receive a special baseball card to help remind them how to conserve water. Any participating student that completes the water conservation program under the supervision of his or her teacher and/or parent will earn one free ticket to a 2015 Spikes baseball game. 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.
There is no cost for schools to participate in any of the Spikes school programs. Teachers or administrators interested in participating in any of the State College Spikes School Programs can contact Bobbi Jo Davidson, Spikes Community Relations Assistant at (814) 272-1711 or bdavidson@statecollegespikes.com.
The Spikes, defending New York-Penn League champions, begin their 38-game home schedule with Opening Night on Friday, June 19 at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, and the slate continues through September 6.
Season tickets, McDonald’s Flex Books and an array of group and hospitality options for the 2015 season are currently on sale by calling the Spikes at (814) 272-1711. Additional information on all club ticketing options can be viewed here.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the State College Spikes. Click here to view the original story.

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – The Gwinnett Braves have announced the recipient of their $1,000 grant for the month of March. Kidsplosion Nation Corp. has been awarded the “Salute to the Arts” themed grant, aimed at funding an organization that supports art programs or education.
SALEM, Va. – The Salem Red Sox and Blue Eagle Credit Union are teaming up for the first-ever Kids Take Over the Ballpark day on Sunday, June 14 at LewisGale Field. When the Red Sox take on the Wilmington Blue Rocks at 4:05 p.m., nearly 30 kids ages 5-12 will have the opportunity to run the show at Salem Memorial Ballpark.
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and Chesapeake Energy Corporation are proud to honor Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma as Chesapeake Energy Community All-Stars during Saturday’s Dodgers’ game against the Omaha Storm Chasers at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma will be honored at the end of the third inning of Saturday’s game.
It’s your chance to hit, catch, throw and run the bases at Fifth Third Field, under the guidance and instruction of current Mud Hens players and coaches. The 2015 Future Mud Hen Baseball Camps and Clinics are back and better than ever! Hone your skills to become a future Mud Hen!
Nicole Gabriel
PENSACOLA, Fla., – Members of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos front office renovated Bill Gregory Park’s tee-ball field on Monday as part of MLB’s RBI program. Renovations included measuring and moving the bases and mounds, mowing the grass, edging the dirt areas, picking up trash and painting the dugouts.
LAKEWOOD, NJ – Calling all Scouts! The BlueClaws will again hold an extensive Scout program in 2015 and kick it off in style, wearing special Boy Scout Jerseys at their first Scout Day game on Sunday, June 7th.
Portland, Maine– The Portland Sea Dogs, Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, will be hosting a College Fair at Hadlock Field from 3:00 to 5:00 PM on Wednesday, April 29th prior to that evening’s Sea Dogs game scheduled for 6:00 PM against the Binghamton Mets. More than 60 colleges are expected to participate in the seventh annual event.
Hickory, NC – The Hickory Crawdads and Barkley Baseball School are once again teaming up to provide fans with both a free, one day clinic and a four-day, paid camp this season at L.P. Frans Stadium.
Parents – kids – take a Red Wings player to school, courtesy of Sylvan Learning Centers.
Moosic, Pa. – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are encouraging children to curl up with a good book this summer as part of their READing Railroad program. The initiative is a library-based reading program that encourages kids to attend their local library, read and then rewards them with a free ticket to a RailRiders game to be themed “Library Night” on Aug. 12.


