Open anthem, mascot auditions set for Mar. 31

Central PA's Best Family Value, the State College Spikes, will provide area residents the opportunity to show off their singing and performing talents as part of open National Anthem and mascot auditions to be held on Saturday, March 31 at the Nittany Mall in State College.

On-stage auditions will be held in the corridor near JC Penney on the main level of the Mall. Registration is from 10-11 a.m. and performances will take place in the order of registration.

The National Anthem Auditions will assist the Spikes in filling several of the 38 opportunities to sing the Star Spangled Banner prior a 2012 home game at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

All tryouts will be a capella and the anthem can be done solo, with a chorus, or as an instrumental. A panel of guest judges will rate the performances to help determine the roster of singers who will perform throughout the Spikes 2012 season. Guest judges for this year's tryouts will include PJ from the B94.5 Morning Zoo Crew, Jeff Brown from 93.7 The Bus, WTAJ sports reporter/anchor Sara Eckert and Sarah Swistak, co-host of Central PA Live weekdays at 4 p.m. on WTAJ.

The mascot auditions will assist the Spikes in identifying fun, high-energy individuals to join the club's community relations and game entertainment staff. Successful candidates will assist in performing with the Spikes team of ballpark characters, and at numerous community appearances throughout the region.

Those interested in auditioning for either opportunity, but cannot attend the March 31 event, should contact David Wells, Spikes Community Relations Manager, at (814) 272-1711 for details on how to submit demo materials. The Spikes will, however, give preference to individuals and groups who attend the March 31 auditions.

In addition to the auditions, the Spikes will have other activities for fans, including visits from mascots Ike the Spikes and the Nittany Bank Nookie Monster, door prizes, 2012 ticket information and much more.

Fun, affordable family entertainment and future Major League Baseball stars will return to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Tuesday, June 19 for the first of 38 games during the Spikes' 2012 New York-Penn League schedule. Single-game tickets will go on sale to the public on April 20, but fans can currently reserve season tickets and an array of group outing options for the 2012 season by contacting the Spikes at (814) 272-1711.