The Spikes Guy

Changes and Jokes

Curve Baseball LP, which operates the State College Spikes, has developed a reputation as one of the most savvy ownership group in Minor League Baseball.

But those with the group aren't exactly the uptight, tie-wearing crowd.

Managing partner Chuck Greenberg, Curve Baseball general manager Todd Parnell and Spikes general manager Rick Janac simply wore Spikes polo shirts to Monday's news conference at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Greenberg and Parnell also tricked Pirates director of player development Brian Graham into wearing a suit jacket.

Greenberg's opening remarks proved this is a group that doesn't take itself too seriously.

"I have three announcements to make today," he said. "One, we landed on the moon 30 years ago. Two, Parny likes to have a good time. Three, we are happy to be affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the next four years."

With that, the Spikes had their long-term parent club.

More Prospects

In Sunday's Centre Daily Times we listed the Top 5 prospects on the State College Spikes. To make the list, players were required to spend at least 38 games in State College.

What would a list that includes anybody that spent time in State College look like? The following is our list of the Top 10 prospects that appeared in a Spikes uniform for at least one game:

1 Adam Ottavino
Position: RHP
Age: 20
Acquired: First Round 2006 Draft (Northeastern)

2. Luke Gregerson
Position: RHP
Age: 22
Acquired: 28th Round 2006 Draft (St. Xavier)

3. Brendan Ryan
Position: Shortstop
Age: 24
Acquired: Seventh Round 2003 Draft (Lewis & Clark State)

4. Brad Furnish
Position: LHP
Age: 21
Acquired: Second Round 2006 Draft (Texas Christian)

5. Gary Daley Jr.
Position: RHP
Age: 20
Acquired: Third Round 2006 Draft (Cal Poly)

6. Mark Hamilton
Position: 1B
Age: 21
Acquired: Supplemental Second Round 2006 Draft (Tulane)

7. Donovan Solano
Position: Infield
Age: 18
Acquired: Non-Drafted Free Agent

8.Tyler Norrick
Position: LHP
Age: 22
Acquired: Sixth Round 2006 Draft (Southern Illinois)

9. Allen Craig
Position: Infield
Age: 22
Acquired: Eighth Round 2006 Draft (California)

10. Nathan Southard
Position: Outfield
Age: 22
Acquired 17th Round 2006 Draft (Tulane)

Not Done

Some members of the State College Spikes didn't end their seasons last week at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Pitchers Gary Daley Jr., Brad Furnish, Luke Gregerson and Marco Gonzalez, outfielder Jim Rapoport, and catcher David Carpenter are expected to attend at short instructional league at the St. Louis Cardinals'
spring training complex in Jupiter, Fla later this month. The league doesn't include any official games.

The six players will be joined by prospects throughout the organization.

Last Call

Things look good from our Medlar Field at Lubrano Park perch.

The stands are more than three-quarters full, the full has a reddish tint and the temperature is somewhere in the low-70s. Plus, the Spikes are wearing their white jerseys, easily the most visually appealing of the seven tops they have worn this season.

Still, we have one complaint.

Nights like these are over. The Spikes end their season in less than two hours.

To say the least, the season went fast. Wasn't it 72 hours ago the Spikes gathered in Medlar Field for the first time?

For an in-depth look at this 75-game sprint, see next weekend's editions of the Centre Daily Times.

Finishing Strong

What are the State College Spikes playing for Wednesday and Thursday?

First, they still have a shot at winning 40 games. They entered a completion of a suspended game Wednesday against Jamestown 37-35. If the Spikes win their final three games, they are guaranteed of finishing among the top half of 14 New York-Penn League teams.

Next, they are playing for individual accomplishments. Center fielder Jim Rapoport has a a chance to lead the league in stolen bases and left fielder Nathan Southard can end the season with a .300 batting average. Other players are attempting to boost their numbers to leave a lasting impression with the St. Louis Cardinals. A few percentage points in a batting average or a lower ERA could help a player begin next year with a full-season team.

There also is some symbolism attached to a strong finish. A few strong performances to close the season may convince some fans to juggle their 2007 schedules around home dates. Momentum from a stong finish could help the front office sell season tickets and group packages during the offseason.

A Wet Move

A decision to move back Friday's game against Batavia cost the State College Spikes a home date.

The Spikes were scheduled to play at noon, Friday, but they announced earlier this season to play the game at 4 p.m. to coincide with Penn State's Football Eve festivities. The game was also moved so it didn't conflict with students moving into dorms.

The move backfired when it started raining around 3:30 p.m. at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. An hour later, the Spikes lost their second home date of the season. Had the game started at noon, the teams would have received an opportunity to play an official game.

Losing home dates hurts in any level of professional baseball, especially the New York-Penn League where entire businesses are built around 38 scheduled home dates. The Spikes also lost a home game because of poor weather on July 27.

Situations and Roles

Something not associated with short-season baseball has occurred recently.

The teams competing for the Pinckney Division title are situational pitching. The most recent example of the late-season trend came Wednesday when Spikes manager Mark DeJohn used Ryan Hodinka and Ashley Hooks to face one batter each.

With one out in the seventh inning, Hodinka, a left-hander, replaced starter Kyle Sadlowski to face the left-handed hitting Josh Roberts. Hodinka threw six straight curveballs and Roberts waved and missed the final one. Hooks, a right-hander, then entered the game to face the right-handed hitting Cirillo Cumberbatch. Hooks struck out Cumberbatch looking at an inside fastball.

"I knew I was coming in for one guy because (DeJohn) told me that while I was out on the mound," Hodinka said. "I had to stay focus because it was the only job that I was going to get to do."

Don't be surprised to see Hodinka, one of three left-handed relievers on the roster, to receive similar work during the final nine games.

Hellos and Good-Byes

Two sides of minor-league baseball were displayed Friday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

The first came at 4 p.m. when infielder Jose Salazar returned from Quad Cities. Salazar trotted onto the field and greeted teammates and coaches. His presence created smiles and laughter.

Six hours later, infielder Allen Craig packed his equipment and said goodbye to his first set of professional teammates. It was a solemn occasion because a partially torn patella ended Craig's season. He left for his California home Saturday morning.

The scenes illustrated two realities about the game -- some things, such as Salazar's relationship with his teammates, never change, while other things, such as a player's spot in the lineup, are never permanent.

Getting Serious

Think about this:

The State College Spikes' season could be over two weeks from today. 

Things happen fast in the New York-Penn League, a 76-game sprint that turns amateurs into professionals. The Spikes also could prolong their season, so that's why Friday and Saturday's games against Auburn at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park are the most important in the franchise's short history.

The Spikes enter Friday trailing Mahoning Valley by a half-game and leading Auburn by a half-game in  the Pinckney Division. The Spikes also trail Oneonta by 1 1/2 games in the race for the league's lone wild card spot.

The Spikes need to make a move fast. They are 2-6 against Auburn. This is the final meeting between the two teams. The Spikes and Doubledays both have four games remaining with the Scrappers.

The Doubledays are fundamentally sound and have a veteran manager in Dennis Holmberg, who has guided four straight teams to the NY-PL Playoffs. Anything less than a split against Auburn could damage the Spikes' playoff hopes.

A Crowded Race

The route to the postseason for the State College Spikes appears to be getting wider.

The Spikes (31-28) entered Wednesday's game at Williamsport trailing Mahoning Valley by a half-game in the Pinckney Division standings.

Brooklyn's recent seven-game losing streak has created an interesting scenario for the three teams competing for the Pinckney Division title. The Spikes entered Wednesday trailing Oneonta (33-27) by 1 1/2 games and Brooklyn (32-27) by a game in the race for the New York-Penn League's lone wild card spot.

Aberdeen (31-29) and Auburn (30-28), which trails the Spikes by a half-game in the Pinckney Division, are also in the wild-card picture.

The Spikes have four games remaining against Mahoning Valley and they play host to Auburn this weekend at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.