Spikes, Cardinals extend PDC through 2016

The State College Spikes today announced a two-year extension of their Player Development Contract (PDC) with the defending National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. The newly-announced extension maintains the affiliation between the Spikes and Cardinals through the 2016 New York-Penn League season. 

The Spikes and Cardinals originally agreed to a two-year PDC agreement in September 2012, reuniting the affiliation between the two franchises. St. Louis also served as State College's Major League Baseball affiliate during the team's inaugural 2006 season. 

On the field, the affiliation with St. Louis has been a major success for the Spikes franchise. Cardinals' teams have produced the only two winning seasons in Spikes history (2006 and 2013), and the 2014 squad entered play on August 20 with a 38-25 record and a seven-game, first-place lead in the NYPL Pinckney Division. Additionally, the franchise's lone Division Championship and appearance in the NYPL Championship Series (2013) came as a St. Louis affiliate, while the inaugural 2006 team sent a club-record nine players to the major leagues. 

"On behalf of our ownership group and management team, we are thrilled to announce the continuation of our outstanding relationship with one of the most admired and successful brands in professional sports," said Spikes' Chairman & Managing Partner Chuck Greenberg. "The association with the Cardinals well-respected player development model, along with the support they have offered to our community, promotional and marketing efforts, is invaluable to our franchise. We look forward to continuing to be part of 'The Cardinal Way' for the next two seasons and beyond." 

"The working relationship we have enjoyed with the St. Louis Cardinals front office, roving instructors, coaching staff and players the past two seasons far exceeds our expectations for the partnership with our major league affiliate," said Spikes' Senior Vice President & General Manager Jason Dambach. "The Cardinals have shown a tremendous appreciation for our beautiful ballpark, the team staff and, most importantly, the community and our fans. The on-field success they have provided our franchise is simply a bonus to the first-class manner in which they approach our affiliation."

The Spikes are one of seven domestic affiliates in the Cardinals' Player Development System, joining the Memphis Redbirds (AAA/Pacific Coast League), Springfield Cardinals (AA/Texas League), Palm Beach Cardinals (Advanced A/Florida State League), Peoria Chiefs (A/Midwest League), Johnson City Cardinals (Rookie Advanced/Appalachian League) and Gulf Coast League Cardinals (Rookie).  

"State College continues to provide us with excellent support of our player development goals and a first-rate training environment at all levels, including Medlar Field," said Cardinals' Senior Vice President/General Manager John Mozeliak. "We look forward to our continued relationship with the State College Spikes." 

The Spikes will play the middle game of their three-game series against Mahoning Valley (Cleveland Indians) tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Including tonight's contest, State College has only eight remaining home dates. Great seats are still available and can be purchased by phone at (814) 272-1711 in person at the Medlar Field Box Office, and online at StateCollegeSpikes.com.