Spikes vs. Black Bears – Ki-Jana Carter Bobblehead Night & Autograph Signing

Last Sunday, the 2018 National Sports Collectors Convention came to an end.  But I’m still going.  This show must go on!!!

On Friday night I attended my fourth and final minor league game of the summer.  The game took place in State College, PA between the Spikes and the West Virginia Black Bears.  The Spikes went on to lose 3-2.  A local Shikellamy High School graduate, Nick Dunn, was recently drafted by the Cardinals and plays for the Spikes right now.  I got to see him score.  I suspect he’ll get his first cards in Bowman Draft later this year.

There were two reasons why I wanted to attend this game.  The main objective was to be one of the first 1,000 fans through the gate so I could obtain my Ki-Jana Carter bobblehead.  The former Penn State running back and 1994 All-American was also in attendance.  Before the game started he was down on the field giving interviews, throwing out the first pitch, and handing out additional bobbleheads to fans.  Shortly after the game began, the Spikes had a table setup for him down the first base line.  Once he started signing, the line moved fairly quickly.  I got him to autograph my Rawlings black/gold Penn State football.  Everyone was allowed (1) autograph and (1) photo.  This was the first time I had ever participated in an autograph signing during a baseball game.  It went very smoothly.

Ki-Jana Carter was the Round #1 Pick #1 in the 1995 NFL Draft.  He went on to play for the Bengals, Redskins, Packers, and Saints.  For the price of a ticket, I got a bobblehead, autograph, and photo.  Not too bad.

Penn State running back and 1994 All-American Ki-Jana Carter

Nookie Monster!

State College Spikes second baseman Nick Dunn

Bears ’10 Elite Turn of the Century Auto Contest Winner Announced

Congrats to dawgbones on being the lucky winner of the Corey Wootton 2010 Donruss Elite Turn of the Century Rookie Auto #’ed/399.  Once dawgbones sends me their mailing address, I will ship this card ASAP.  Thanks!

Bears ’15 Topps Field Access Auto Contest Winner Announced

Congrats to Peter McCarthy on being the lucky winner of the Ka’Deem Carey 2015 Topps Field Access Auto.  Once Peter McCarthy sends me his mailing address, I will ship this card ASAP.  Thanks!

Hershey Bears vs. Binghamton Senators – 12/13/14

On Saturday night I went to see the Hershey Bears take on the Binghamton Senators.  It was Dane Byers bobblehead night!!!  I believe the Hershey Bears have the best chicken fingers and fries out of all the stadiums I’ve been to.  The Bears won 5-2.  There was a lot of scoring and a bunch of fights.  I checked out the gift shop, but didn’t find anything new.  I wish they would sell some more bobbleheads in their gift shop.  OYO needs to start making some AHL minifigures.

Hershey Bears vs. Worcester Sharks – 12/21/13

I swear the Hershey Bears have the best chicken fingers.  They’re very crispy.  Then again, I think every place has the best chicken fingers.  Last night I got to see the Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals) take on the Worcester Sharks (San Jose Sharks).  The Bears lost 3-2 ending their three game winning streak.  While I was there, I picked up a new T-shirt, pin, and it was Joel Rechlicz bobblefist night.

The first 5,000 fans received a Joel Rechlicz bobblefist figure.

Hershey Bears RW Joel Rechlicz.  He actually has a bunch of cards from Upper Deck, including some from their high-end The Cup product.

RW Brandon Segal

FIGHT!!!

Hershey Bears vs. Syracuse Crunch – 4/6/13

Last night I went to see the Hershey Bears play the Syracuse Crunch.  The Bears are associated with the Washington Capitals and the Crunch are with the Tampa Bay Lightning.  The Bears lost 2-1 in this action packed game.  I’ve only attended a handful of hockey games but this one has to have been the most entertaining as it was filled with fights.  I like how the refs just let them go at it for a while and then jump in when it gets too serious.  Sometimes I believe the players just do it for the entertainment factor.  The crowd really cheered whenever a fight would break out.  Just like gladiators.

Dany Sabourin – has a handful of cards ranging from UD SP Authentic, Between the Pipes, and Heroes & Prospects.

Pat Nagle

FIGHT!!!

Coco the Bear

The stadium giveaway was a Hershey Bears Pinnacle logo golf ball sponsored by Fairview Golf Course.

Hershey Bears vs. Charlotte Checkers – Bobblehead Night!

Yesterday evening I headed to the Giant Center to see the Hershey Bears take on the Charlotte Checkers.  The Bears won the game 2-1 scoring two goals in the 3rd period.  The Bears are associated with the Washington Capitals and the Checkers are associated with the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Everblades.

Before the game started, the Bears President-GM Doug Yingst had a special announcement to make.  Next year will be the Hershey Bears 75th anniversary.  To celebrate this giant occasion, on January 20th, 2013, the Bears will take on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in an outdoor game much like the Winter Classic we have witnessed over the last couple of years.  The game will be played in Hersheypark Stadium.

Its been a long time since I attended a hockey game.  This was my first time at the Giant Center.  I highly recommend the pretzels.  They aren’t those hard things you normally would find at a sporting event.  The pretzel I had was warm and soft.  I believe it was handmade right on the spot.

Face-Off

The first 5,000 fans that attended the game last night received Keith Aucoin bobbleheads.  This bobblehead features Aucoin in a home jersey.  They did make some rarer ones that have him in an away jersey, but you had to do something special to get your hands on one of those.

The Bears booster club was selling a ton of pucks they got signed.  For a couple of bucks I picked up this Chris Bourque autograph.  Bourque currently plays LW for the Bears.  His father, Ray Bourque, played for the Boston Bruins and went into the HOF in 2004.  I also picked up a new pin for my collection.

Lancaster Barnstormers vs. Newark Bears

Last night the Lancaster Barnstormers ripped through the Newark Bears 15-2.  There was so much action in the first inning.  I don’t think I have ever seen so many hits and runs from a team in the bottom of the 1st.  Matt LeCroy crushed the ball as the Barnstormers batted around again and again.  I was able to get a 2008 Team Set and a 2007 Atlantic League All-Star Team Set, plus another pin for my collection.  Before the game started, I was able to get Nick Renault, from the Barnstormers, to autograph a ticket stub.  That stadium is great for taking photos.  You can check them out below.

Anyone remember this guy?  Its Randall Simon.  He was the guy who hit that sausage mascot with a bat when he played for the Pirates.

Can you believe that this guy gave up 10 runs in the first inning?  And they kept him in the game.

Cylo

Game Tonight

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