After five years of serving as the Short-Season A affiliate to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the State College Spikes announced yesterday that beginning next season, they will once again become a member of the St. Louis Cardinals’ minor league system.

The announcement comes just a few months after the Spikes began a new marketing campaign, dropping their former “Bucs Start Here” motto for “Fear the Deer.” Prior to joining the Pirates’ farm system in 2007, the Spikes were affiliated with the Cardinals for their first season in State College, and for spent over two decades in other areas before settling at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The new agreement has the Spikes in the Cardinals farm system through 2014.

“The 2006 season as a Cardinal affiliate remains the highlight of the Spikes’ seven-year history and we are proud to realign with their successful, consistent approach to player development. Off the field, the Cardinals support of our community outreach efforts and our philosophy on providing fans with a fun, affordable, memory-making experience at the ballpark 38 nights each summer makes this partnership the perfect match,” Spikes’ General Manager Jason Dambach said in a press release.

The Spikes organization will formally announce the partnership on Wednesday afternoon at an event for media, sponsors, and season ticket holders.

Condolences to local Pirates fans that may have liked going to watch potential Bucs play in State College. Well, that is, if there are any left after the swift decline the team experienced over the last few weeks.