The noticeably lime green logo for the 2009 New York-Penn League All-Star Game was unveiled during SpikesFest at the Penn State Multi-Sport Facility Sunday.
The All-Star Game is being held Aug. 18 at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park and the color green is a prominent part of the logo because the Spikes have labeled the theme for the game to be "Going Green."
It will be the first All-Star game in minor league and major league history to have an environmentally friendly theme.
"We're still trying to figure things out," Spikes General Manager Jason Dambach said. "Some of the things that we're looking into is a discount for fans if they ride their bikes to the game and changing the type of oil used in the cooking [at the field]."
Dambach also introduced the new manager of the Spikes, Gary Robinson, to the public for the first time during the event. Robinson was given a No. 45 Spikes jersey to signify his formal introduction to the organization. SpikesFest marked the first time that Robinson, a native of North Carolina, visited Central Pennsylvania.
"This is the happiest day of my life," Robinson said.
Before Robinson was introduced to the public, Dambach spoke about the "Going Green" theme and how the Spikes organization is starting a new green initiative to get the club and the fans to become more environmentally conscious. Dambach said Medlar Field is the first Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design certified ballpark in the United States and is on the cutting edge of environmental design. Because of this, the Spikes elected to have the green theme and promote ways to help the planet.
New Face
After discussing the All-Star game, Dambach introduced Robinson to the public as the Spikes new manager.
Robinson has an extensive résumé in all aspects of baseball. From collegiate to major league levels, East Coast to West Coast, he has been a part of it all.
He coached on the collegiate level at Appalachian State University, University of Tennessee and University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
He left the last school to become a scout at the Major League level for the San Francisco Giants. Robinson also held stints as a scout for the Seattle Mariners and the Philadelphia Phillies.
Lastly he worked in the development area as a pitching coach for the Gulf Coast League Expos. Robinson decided to take some time away from coaching and baseball and worked as a high school administrator in North Carolina for several years. However, his love for baseball could not keep him away from it entirely. He umpired during this period and claimed it was the only thing that kept him sane.
His 6-year-hiatus from baseball was, "the worst decision of his life," Robinson said.
He made the decision six months ago to return to baseball, and he has some goals for the Spikes he hopes to accomplish, he said. His primary goal is to prepare his players for the next level and to improve their game over the course of the summer.
"I'm trying to get the players to understand what being a Major League player is like. Not many make it up there," Robinson said.
