Unbalanced schedule brings familiar teams

The Scrappers will play 23 of their 38 home games against three teams.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NILES -- The Mahoning Valley Scrappers and their fans won't get much variety to begin the home portion of their 2004 schedule.
In their first seven games at Eastwood Field, the Scrappers will play host to the Auburn Doubledays, an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, with three games this weekend and four June 29-July 2.
The New York-Penn League is continuing an unbalanced schedule, in which teams play most of their games against division rivals to reduce travel time.
Fans' perspective
Dave Smith, Scrappers general manager, said he believes the majority of fans come to the ballpark for the entire minor league baseball experience and not to see a particular opponent.
"You'll have some hard-core fans who like to see a representation" of different teams, Smith said. "But for the most part, the fans are coming out to see minor league baseball."
For the Scrappers, that means playing 23 of their 38 home games against Pinckney Division opponents Auburn, the Batavia Muckdogs and Jamestown Jammers.
Mahoning Valley will face Batavia and Jamestown eight times each at Eastwood Field.
"It's a major issue that comes up every year at the league meetings," Smith said. "Should you do a balanced schedule or an unbalanced schedule?"
The unbalanced schedule suits farm directors who want to limit travel time for players and expenses, Smith said.
The Scrappers' other home series are against the Vermont Expos (July 5-7), Hudson Valley Renegades (July 20-22), New Jersey Cardinals (July 29-31), Tri-City ValleyCats (Aug. 4-6) and Aberdeen Ironbirds (Aug. 24-26).
The New York-Penn League also gave Mahoning Valley lengthy road trips to begin and end the season.
After their season-opening three-game series against Auburn, the Scrappers will embark on an eight-game trip, visiting Auburn, the Lowell Spinners and Brooklyn Cyclones.
In late August, the Scrappers will head back on the road, for a nine-game trip to finish the season, against Jamestown, Williamsport and Batavia.