WILLIAMSPORT – In a partnership that creates a new connection between baseball and the non-fungible token space, Williamsport Crosscutters and State College Spikes will each relocate for the first NFT Classic, this Saturday at Medlar Field in Lubrano Park in State College. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Spikes will become State College DiamondDawgs, using the identity of the DiamondDawgs NFTs created by former Spikes player and current St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguer Evan Mendoza, while Crosscutters will become Williamsport Bored Apes, representing the Bored Ape Yacht Club, one of the most prestigious NFT collections. It was reported that Tom Brady recently joined the Bored Ape Yacht Club by purchasing Bored Ape # 3667 for $ 430,000.
Each jersey worn by the players and coaches of DiamondDawgs and Bored Apes will highlight a different NFT in their respective collections. In addition, the proceeds from T-shirts showcasing each NFT collection will go to the Little League of Sarasota, Fla., Mendoza’s hometown.
“Cutters are excited to be a part of this NFT jersey campaign with State College Spikes,” said Gabe Sinicropi, Crosscutters Vice President of Marketing. “The Bored Ape Yacht Club is making waves in the NFT space and we will be proud to represent them on the field in this unique campaign”
Tickets for Saturday’s away game are available by calling State College Spikes at (814) 272-1711 or by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.
The Penguins sign goalkeeper Casey DeSmith for an extension of 2 years
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Penguins stick with Casey DeSmith, signing the team’s goalkeeper No. 2 for a two-year contract extension on Tuesday that has an average annual value of $ 1.8 million.
The signing gives the Penguins a reliable alternative behind All-Star Tristan Jarry. The 30-year-old DeSmith played in 26 games for Pittsburgh in 2021-22, going 11-6-5 with 2.79 goals against the average and 0.914 save percentage. His three shutouts gave career highs in 2018-19. He set a franchise record for rescues in a shutout on April 21 when he stopped 52 shots by the Boston Bruins.
DeSmith entered the playoffs as Pittsburgh’s top goalkeeper with Jarry on the sidelines of injury, but he went out in the second overtime of Game 1 of the Penguins’ first-round series with the New York Rangers with a core muscle injury. He underwent surgery in early May to repair the injury and is expected to be ready when training camp opens in September.
The signing gives DeSmith a pay gap of over $ 1.25 million he earned under the deal, which is due to expire next week. DeSmith has been steady if not spectacular since his NHL debut in 2017. He has a career record of 42-28-11 with 2.67 goals against and a save percentage of 0.915.
