Medlar Field at Lubrano Park
Encyclopedia
Medlar Field at Lubrano Park is a 5,406-seat baseball
stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania
that hosted its first regular season baseball game on June 20, 2006, when the secondary tenant of the facility, the State College Spikes
, lost to the Williamsport Crosscutters
, 5-3. The Penn State Nittany Lions college baseball
team began play at the ballpark in 2007.
Seating capacity is 5,406 people, plus 600 standing room only tickets, for a total capacity of approximately 6,000 people. Events other than baseball games are held at the ballpark, and different seating configurations are available.
This stadium was designed to feature an unobstructed view of Penn State landmark Mount Nittany
over the outfield wall.
management group approached Penn State with the idea of sharing a ballpark that both the Altoona Curve and the Penn State baseball team would use as a home field.
Final plans for the new ballpark were approved by the Penn State Board of Trustees on May 13, 2005. Ground was broken for the new ballpark on May 18, 2005. Among the dignitaries on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony were Pennsylvania
governor Ed Rendell
, Penn State president Graham Spanier
, state Senator Jake Corman
and Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley.
The ballpark was named a 2006 Project of the Year in the area of sports by Mid-Atlantic Construction.
Anthony Lubrano is a 1982 alumnus of the Penn State Smeal College of Business
, and a former Penn State baseball player who played for Coach Medlar. Since graduation, Lubrano has established a successful financial services company. His donation of $2.5 million dollars (USD) towards this project made him the lead benefactor, and Lubrano received from Penn State the opportunity to name this venue. Lubrano chose to name this venue Medlar Field at Lubrano Park in recognition of Coach Medlar's contributions to Penn State athletics.
in Pittsburgh
(home of the Pittsburgh Pirates
) except for the right field wall. At PNC, the wall is 21 feet tall, but at Medlar Field, it is 18.55 feet tall to commemorate the year that Penn State was founded. The physical plant
of this venue includes the stadium, parking areas, and a pedestrian plaza. The stadium has three levels, Field (clubhouse) Level, Concourse Level, and Luxury Suite Level. The street level entrance to the stadium is on the Concourse Level.
, storage areas, and a laundry room. Entrance into the dugouts
and onto the playing field
for players is from this level.
station, a baseball–themed store called Off The Rack Outfitters, a customer service center, and restrooms
. The State College Spikes
offices are also located on this level.
Amenities on the right field side of this level include the Outfield Bleacher
s seating area, and the Rail Kings seating area located on the Nittany Embroidery Fun Deck. The food concessions
in this area include The Right Field Grill, Coaly
's Corner, and The Batter's Eye.
Amenities on the left field side of this level include the Left Field Picnic and a play area for children called the S&A Homes Kids Zone. The food concession stands
in this area are The Left Field Grill, The "Grand" Stand, and The Bullpen Café.
Food including Philly Cheesesteaks
, hot dog
s, and ice cream
will be sold by the concessions. Beer is sold during Spikes games, but not during Penn State games. Along with the Penn Stater Conference Center and The Nittany Lion Inn, this venue will be one of only three Penn State facilities on the University Park campus where alcohol is allowed to be sold.
Wheelchair–accessible seating is located on the concourse behind the Bullpen Box, Field Box, and Diamond Club seating areas. There is a wheelchair lift located in the left field picnic area, connecting the Concourse Level with the Field Level. An elevator
also connects all three levels of the stadium, making all areas accessible.
and the Press Box are located on this level. Eighteen luxury suites are designed to accommodate 12 people each, and two larger suites are designed to accommodate 24 people each. The Press Box consists of three broadcast booths for television and radio media. The Penn State Sports Journalism Center and the Penn State Baseball offices are also located on this level.
s with a total of 502 parking space
s were built as part of this venue. The Porter North lot has 385 parking space
s and the Porter South Lot has 117. Improvements were also made to Parking Lot 44, which this venue shares with Beaver Stadium
and the Bryce Jordan Center
.
, and by air travel. As part of this venue's construction, a landscaped pedestrian plaza called Porter Gardens was built along Porter Road, bicycle rack
s were installed, and a Centre Area Transportation Authority
(CATA) bus stop
and drop–off zone was added for the Route H and Route P bus
es. Nearby highway
s include Pennsylvania Route 26
, U.S. Route 220
, U.S. Route 322
, and Interstate 80
. University Park Airport
is located approximately four miles (6.4 km) from the ballpark, and provides air travel connections to several cities.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania
University Park, Pennsylvania
University Park, Pennsylvania is an unincorporated community in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is the location of the flagship campus of the Pennsylvania State University....
that hosted its first regular season baseball game on June 20, 2006, when the secondary tenant of the facility, the State College Spikes
State College Spikes
The State College Spikes are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the New York – Penn League. The Spikes play their home games at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park located on the main campus of Pennsylvania State University located in University Park, Pennsylvania. Medlar Field is...
, lost to the Williamsport Crosscutters
Williamsport Crosscutters
The Williamsport Crosscutters are a Short-Season A classification minor league baseball team based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
, 5-3. The Penn State Nittany Lions college baseball
College baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
team began play at the ballpark in 2007.
Seating capacity is 5,406 people, plus 600 standing room only tickets, for a total capacity of approximately 6,000 people. Events other than baseball games are held at the ballpark, and different seating configurations are available.
This stadium was designed to feature an unobstructed view of Penn State landmark Mount Nittany
Mount Nittany
Mount Nittany is the common name for Nittany Mountain, a prominent geographic feature in Centre County, Pennsylvania. The mountain is actually part of a complex of ridges that separates Nittany Valley from Penns Valley, with the enclosed Sugar Valley between them...
over the outfield wall.
History
Penn State alumnus Anthony Lubrano first suggested upgrading Penn State baseball facilities to representatives of the university in 1995. After receiving a donation from Lubrano in 2002, the Penn State Board of Trustees voted to name the new stadium Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. In 2003, representatives of the Altoona CurveAltoona Curve
The Altoona Curve are a minor league baseball team based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, named after nearby Horseshoe Curve . The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club...
management group approached Penn State with the idea of sharing a ballpark that both the Altoona Curve and the Penn State baseball team would use as a home field.
Final plans for the new ballpark were approved by the Penn State Board of Trustees on May 13, 2005. Ground was broken for the new ballpark on May 18, 2005. Among the dignitaries on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony were Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
governor Ed Rendell
Ed Rendell
Edward Gene "Ed" Rendell is an American politician who served as the 45th Governor of Pennsylvania. Rendell, a member of the Democratic Party, was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 2002, and his term of office began January 21, 2003...
, Penn State president Graham Spanier
Graham Spanier
Graham B. Spanier is an American academic, who served as the 16th president of the Pennsylvania State University from September 1, 1995, until he was forced to resign on November 9, 2011, in the aftermath of the Penn State child sex abuse scandal...
, state Senator Jake Corman
Jake Corman
Jacob Doyle "Jake" Corman III is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 34th Senatorial District since 1999. The district includes portions of Centre, Mifflin and Union Counties and all of Juniata and Perry Counties...
and Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley.
The ballpark was named a 2006 Project of the Year in the area of sports by Mid-Atlantic Construction.
Naming
Medlar Field at Lubrano Park is named for two Penn State alumni, Charles Medlar and Anthony Lubrano. Coach Charles "Chuck" Medlar (1918–1999) was an athletic trainer at Penn State for 35 years, and the head Penn State baseball coach from 1963 to 1981. The Charles Medlar Award is given annually in his honor to the outstanding pitcher of the Penn State baseball team.Anthony Lubrano is a 1982 alumnus of the Penn State Smeal College of Business
Smeal College of Business
The Smeal College of Business is the business school of Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1953, and is named after Mary Jean and Frank Smeal. The College offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral degrees, including a Master of Business Administration Program,...
, and a former Penn State baseball player who played for Coach Medlar. Since graduation, Lubrano has established a successful financial services company. His donation of $2.5 million dollars (USD) towards this project made him the lead benefactor, and Lubrano received from Penn State the opportunity to name this venue. Lubrano chose to name this venue Medlar Field at Lubrano Park in recognition of Coach Medlar's contributions to Penn State athletics.
Description
The "footprint" of the stadium (outfield dimensions, foul ground, etc.) is identical to PNC ParkPNC Park
PNC Park is a baseball park located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the city's Major League Baseball franchise. It opened during the 2001 Major League Baseball season, after the controlled implosion of the Pirates' previous home, Three Rivers Stadium...
in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
(home of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
) except for the right field wall. At PNC, the wall is 21 feet tall, but at Medlar Field, it is 18.55 feet tall to commemorate the year that Penn State was founded. The physical plant
Physical plant
Physical plant or mechanical plant refers to the necessary infrastructure used in support and maintenance of a given facility. The operation of these facilities, or the department of an organization which does so, is called "plant operations" or facility management...
of this venue includes the stadium, parking areas, and a pedestrian plaza. The stadium has three levels, Field (clubhouse) Level, Concourse Level, and Luxury Suite Level. The street level entrance to the stadium is on the Concourse Level.
Field level
There are three clubhouses in this stadium, one for the Nittany Lions, one for the State College Spikes, and one for the visiting team. Home team facilities include a weight room and training area for each team, an indoor batting cageBatting cage
A batting cage is an enclosed cage for baseball players to practice the skill of batting.It is usually made of netting or a chain-link fence and rectangular in shape. A batter stands at one end of the cage, with a pitching machine at the opposing end...
, storage areas, and a laundry room. Entrance into the dugouts
Dugout (baseball)
In baseball, the dugout is a team's bench area and is located in foul territory between home plate and either first or third base. There are two dugouts, one for the home team and one for the visiting team. In general, the dugout is occupied by all players not prescribed to be on the field at that...
and onto the playing field
Baseball field
A baseball field, also called a ball field or a baseball diamond, is the field upon which the game of baseball is played. The terms "baseball field" and "ball field" are also often used as synonyms for ballpark.-Specifications:...
for players is from this level.
Concourse level
This level includes a first aidFirst aid
First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care...
station, a baseball–themed store called Off The Rack Outfitters, a customer service center, and restrooms
Washroom
A public toilet is a room or small building containing one or more toilets and possibly also urinals which is available for use by the general public, or in a broader meaning of "public", by customers of other...
. The State College Spikes
State College Spikes
The State College Spikes are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the New York – Penn League. The Spikes play their home games at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park located on the main campus of Pennsylvania State University located in University Park, Pennsylvania. Medlar Field is...
offices are also located on this level.
Amenities on the right field side of this level include the Outfield Bleacher
Bleacher
Bleachers is an American term used to describe the raised, tiered rows of seats found at sports fields or at other spectator events...
s seating area, and the Rail Kings seating area located on the Nittany Embroidery Fun Deck. The food concessions
Concession (contract)
A concession is a business operated under a contract or license associated with a degree of exclusivity in business within a certain geographical area. For example, sports arenas or public parks may have concession stands. Many department stores contain numerous concessions operated by other...
in this area include The Right Field Grill, Coaly
Old Coaly
Old Coaly was a mule who helped to build the original Old Main building on the campus of the Pennsylvania State University and gained fame as an early Penn State mascot....
's Corner, and The Batter's Eye.
Amenities on the left field side of this level include the Left Field Picnic and a play area for children called the S&A Homes Kids Zone. The food concession stands
Concession (contract)
A concession is a business operated under a contract or license associated with a degree of exclusivity in business within a certain geographical area. For example, sports arenas or public parks may have concession stands. Many department stores contain numerous concessions operated by other...
in this area are The Left Field Grill, The "Grand" Stand, and The Bullpen Café.
Food including Philly Cheesesteaks
Cheesesteak
A cheesesteak, also known as a Philadelphia cheesesteak, Philly cheesesteak, cheese steak, or steak and cheese, is a sandwich made from thinly-sliced pieces of steak and melted cheese in a long roll...
, hot dog
Hot dog
A hot dog is a sausage served in a sliced bun. It is very often garnished with mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish and/or sauerkraut.-History:...
s, and ice cream
Ice cream
Ice cream is a frozen dessert usually made from dairy products, such as milk and cream, and often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavours. Most varieties contain sugar, although some are made with other sweeteners...
will be sold by the concessions. Beer is sold during Spikes games, but not during Penn State games. Along with the Penn Stater Conference Center and The Nittany Lion Inn, this venue will be one of only three Penn State facilities on the University Park campus where alcohol is allowed to be sold.
Wheelchair–accessible seating is located on the concourse behind the Bullpen Box, Field Box, and Diamond Club seating areas. There is a wheelchair lift located in the left field picnic area, connecting the Concourse Level with the Field Level. An elevator
Elevator
An elevator is a type of vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people or goods between floors of a building, vessel or other structures...
also connects all three levels of the stadium, making all areas accessible.
Luxury suite level
The 20 luxury suitesLuxury box
A Luxury box is a special seating section located within stadiums, arenas and other sporting and entertainment venues. They are typically located in the midsection of a stadium grandstand, usually providing the best views of the event...
and the Press Box are located on this level. Eighteen luxury suites are designed to accommodate 12 people each, and two larger suites are designed to accommodate 24 people each. The Press Box consists of three broadcast booths for television and radio media. The Penn State Sports Journalism Center and the Penn State Baseball offices are also located on this level.
Parking
Two parking lotParking lot
A parking lot , also known as car lot, is a cleared area that is intended for parking vehicles. Usually, the term refers to a dedicated area that has been provided with a durable or semi-durable surface....
s with a total of 502 parking space
Parking space
A parking space is a location that is designated for parking, either paved or unpaved.Parking spaces can be in a parking garage, in a parking lot or on a city street. It is usually designated by a white-paint-on-tar rectangle indicated by three lines at the top, left and right of the designated area...
s were built as part of this venue. The Porter North lot has 385 parking space
Parking space
A parking space is a location that is designated for parking, either paved or unpaved.Parking spaces can be in a parking garage, in a parking lot or on a city street. It is usually designated by a white-paint-on-tar rectangle indicated by three lines at the top, left and right of the designated area...
s and the Porter South Lot has 117. Improvements were also made to Parking Lot 44, which this venue shares with Beaver Stadium
Beaver Stadium
Beaver Stadium is an outdoor college football stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, United States, on the campus of The Pennsylvania State University. It is home to the Penn State Nittany Lions of the Big Ten Conference. The stadium is named for James A...
and the Bryce Jordan Center
Bryce Jordan Center
Bryce Jordan Center is a 15,261-seat multi-purpose arena in University Park, Pennsylvania. The arena opened in 1995 and is the largest such venue between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. It replaced Rec Hall as the home to the Penn State University Nittany Lions men's and women's basketball team, the...
.
Getting there
This venue is accessible by foot, bicycle, public transportation, carAutomobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
, and by air travel. As part of this venue's construction, a landscaped pedestrian plaza called Porter Gardens was built along Porter Road, bicycle rack
Bicycle stand
A bicycle stand,also called a bike rack, is a device to which bicycles may be securely attached. It may be free standing or securely attached to the ground or some stationary object such as a building. Indoor bike racks are commonly used for private bicycle parking, while outdoor bike racks are...
s were installed, and a Centre Area Transportation Authority
Centre Area Transportation Authority
The Centre Area Transportation Authority is a mass transit agency that provides bus transportation within State College, Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas, as well as Pennsylvania State University.-History:...
(CATA) bus stop
Bus stop
A bus stop is a designated place where buses stop for passengers to board or leave a bus. These are normally positioned on the highway and are distinct from off-highway facilities such as bus stations. The construction of bus stops tends to reflect the level of usage...
and drop–off zone was added for the Route H and Route P bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
es. Nearby highway
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
s include Pennsylvania Route 26
Pennsylvania Route 26
Pennsylvania Route 26 is a highway in the south-central area of Pennsylvania. Its northern terminus is at Pennsylvania Route 150 northwest of Howard, Pennsylvania; its southern terminus is at the Maryland state line near Barnes Gap in Union Township...
, U.S. Route 220
U.S. Route 220
U.S. Route 220 is a long U.S. Route in the eastern United States.US 220 is a spur route of U.S. Route 20 but at present, the two routes do not intersect nor do they connect via other spurs of US 20. The former U. S. Route 120, which was signed in Pennsylvania between 1926 and 1967, intersected...
, U.S. Route 322
U.S. Route 322
U.S. Route 322 is a long, east–west United States Highway, traversing Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The road is a spur of U.S. Route 22 and one of the original highways from 1926...
, and Interstate 80
Interstate 80
Interstate 80 is the second-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, following Interstate 90. It is a transcontinental artery running from downtown San Francisco, California to Teaneck, New Jersey in the New York City Metropolitan Area...
. University Park Airport
University Park Airport
University Park Airport is a public airport located in Benner Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. The airport serves the towns of State College and Bellefonte, and the surrounding area. The airport is owned by The Pennsylvania State University, but the terminal building and parking areas are...
is located approximately four miles (6.4 km) from the ballpark, and provides air travel connections to several cities.