Barking echoed across the concourse as the national anthem blared through the speakers last night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

At every turn, the wagging tails of some dogs met the wet noses of others. The dogs were sometimes barking, but mostly just socializing with their fellow canines.

Golden retrievers, greyhounds, pugs, beagles, dachshunds and a variety of other breeds were on hand at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park as part of the State College Spikes' promotional Bark in the Park night.

The single-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates has hosted the promotion each of the three years since they've located to State College. Ben Rothrock, merchandizing director of the Spikes said this is one of the organization's most popular nights among fans. In the last couple years, the amount of dogs coming out for the game has doubled, he said.

Standing at the ticket window with his two golden retrievers, State College resident Mark Righter and his daughter Greta arrived at the game an hour late so their dogs could interact with other canines.

"It's a social event for them, too," Mark said. "The question is, will they let us interact with other humans?"

The concourse was significantly more rowdy -- and dirty-- than most nights the Spikes take the field. One dog barked at another on a leash held by a young girl, prompting the child to swiftly walk away. Urine and feces could be spotted near the trash bins as dogs curiously sniffed the hundreds of smells encapsulated in a ballpark.

Fred Metzger, owner of Metzger Animal Hospital, is one of the bigger sponsors of the promotion. This year, Metzger got innovative with the event by incorporating a fund-raising-type campaign among 10 local Centre Country animal rescue stations.

Everybody who brought a dog received a vote that they would place in one of the boxes designated for each rescue station.

"Each vote is worth in dollars what the Spikes are gonna score [last night]," Metzger said. "The more they score, the more that vote is worth. What I did was set a minimum of five [dollars] because they had a rough year."

The Spikes only scored four runs last night.

Metzger estimated about 400 dogs were present and said the nice weather encouraged dog owners to come out to the game. The 1981 Penn State graduate is always looking to take the promotion to a new level -- this year incorporating the game with raising money for dogs.

"I think it's growing," Metzger said. "The first year people would say to me, 'I didn't realize I could really bring my dog.' Now, people realize we're not kidding."

Last year the promotion suffered through a torrential downpour. But even with thunder and lightning, over 200 people brought their dogs, Metzger said.

In between innings a performer threw frisbees to his dogs, earning applause from the crowd. Metzger spent most of the evening outside his luxury suit and on the concourse, seeing every breed, little dogs and big dogs.

"What blows me away being a veterinarian is how well these dogs are getting along together," Metzger said. "They're getting along better than the people are. One dog is going up to another, and as far as my knowledge goes, we haven't had any incidents, meaning dogs are nicer than people.

As for the increased noise swirling throughout the concourse?

"I love the barking," Metzger said. "In fact, the more barking the better. [The players] trying to focus at bat and you got a dog barking, that'd be very irritating, which is the whole point which makes it so much fun."