Looking for a cheap way to enjoy your summer nights in State College?

If you like baseball, know someone who likes baseball, or just enjoy hot dogs and beer, checking out our local baseball franchise is a solid option.

The State College Spikes, a minor league affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, has its home opener this Sunday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Spikes’ management is planning a special Father’s Day celebration, complete with fireworks, live music, a skydive into the ballpark, promotions, and an appearance from Penn State’s Talor Battle.

Oh, and the game should be good too! Scheduled to begin at 6:05 pm, the Spikes will be playing the Williamsport Crosscutters — in other words, this will be a match-up between “future Pirates” and “future Phillies.”

The rest of the 38-game season looks to be compelling as well — and you have to hand it to management for their creative promotions. Some of my favorites are Dollar Dog Monday (which, we all know, makes @EliGlazier happy).

Single game tickets, which are relatively cheap ranging from $6 to $12, can be purchased online, or at the box office prior to the game. If you’re feeling really cheap, then wait until August 23, when “3-2-1 Student Nights” start: $3 outfield bleacher seats, $2 sodas, and $1 hot dogs.

For more on the Spikes, check out Rich Kerstetter’s preview of the season over at StateCollege.com. For information about tickets, visit the team’s official website.