STATE COLLEGE - The State College Spikes' Medlar Field at Lubrano Park will play host to the 2009 New York-Penn League All-Star Game, and the event will be a three-day celebration of Minor League baseball in Happy Valley.
The game itself will be played on Tuesday. Events scheduled for Sunday and Monday incorporate locations in downtown State College, Tussey Mountain and Medlar Field, according to a press release.
All-star events begin Sunday with the Downtown State College All-Star FanFest, which will be held on Allen Street between Beaver and Foster Avenues from 1 to 5 p.m., the release states. The free event will bring the fun of the ballpark downtown, with inflatable games, carnival attractions, batting cages and a speed pitch machine. Fans of all ages can also test their skills in several different Penn State sports, and take a picture with an array of Penn State championship trophies. Mascots Ike the Spike, the Nookie Monster and Bob the Baseball Dog will be on hand as well, according to the release.
Monday's signature event is the All-Star Mountain Bash, from 4-9 p.m. at the Tussey Mountain Ski Resort. The VIP event offers guests the opportunity to meet and greet all of the All-Star players and coaches, and see them, along with league executives, face off in fun competitions throughout the evening. Tickets remain available on a limited basis.
Game day begins with a clinic for Special Olympics athletes at Spring Creek Park from 10 to 11 a.m., with All-Star players serving as the instructors.
Gates to Medlar Field open at 3 p.m., with the American League All-Stars taking infield and batting practice from 3 to 4:15 p.m. While the American League All-Stars are on the field, the National League All-Stars will be available for autographs on the concourse. The two teams will then switch places, with the National Leaguers on the field for infield and batting practice and the American Leaguers available for autographs from 4:15 to 5:30.
Fact Box
NYPL?All-Star schedule
Sunday, Aug. 16 1-5 p.m.: All-Star Fan Fest on Allen Street
7:30 p.m.: Beatlemania concert at Memorial Field
Monday, Aug. 17 4-9 p.m.: All-Star Mountain Bash at Tussey Mountain
Tuesday, Aug. 18 10-11 a.m.: Special Olympics player clinic at Spring Creek Park
3 p.m.: Gates open at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park
3-4:15 p.m.: American League infield and batting practice / National League autograph session
4:15-5:30 p.m.: National League infield and batting practice / American League autograph session
5:45-6:30 p.m.: Celebrity Home Run Derby
7:15 p.m.: First pitch
A Celebrity Home Run Derby will take place from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m., with a roster of special guests joining the NYPL's top sluggers to take their swings.
As the 2009 New York-Penn League All-Star Game begins, players and coaches from the American League and National League All-Star clubs will be introduced. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Fans will also be able to enjoy a special All-Star fireworks display.
Notably, the 2009 NYPL All-Star Game will be the first "green" All-Star Game in Minor League Baseball history, with a host of initiatives in honor of Medlar Field's status as the first LEED-certified ballpark in the United States.
For All-Star Game tickets or Mountain Bash tickets, visit the Medlar Field box office, call the Spikes toll-free at (877) 99-SPIKES or log on to StateCollegeSpikes.com.
