EASTWOOD FIELD David Lee Roth to headline stadium events

Rides, fireworks and free admission for children are part of the event.
By GUY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
NILES -- Eastwood Field, home of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, is getting back in the concert game.
Stadium officials announced Wednesday that David Lee Roth, former lead singer of rock band Van Halen and now a solo artist, will perform in concert at Eastwood Field on July 3, with an unannounced special guest.
Tickets are $29.50 and go on sale June 9 through Ticketmaster and at the stadium box office. Children 13 and under who present a ticket stub from any Scrappers game will get in free, if they are accompanied by a ticket-holder.
The concert will be part of daylong festivities geared toward families on the day before Independence Day. Amusement rides will be set up outside the stadium before the concert, beginning at noon. The rides will be free to any ticket holder, said Tony Rubino of South Beach Entertainment, the concert promoter. Also, a massive fireworks display is planned for immediately after the concert.
A local band or two will start the music about 6 p.m., said Rubino, followed by the special guest artist and then Roth at around 9:30 p.m.
"With gasoline prices so high, families can get a big bang for their buck at Eastwood Field," said Rubino.
The 6,300-seat stadium, which can hold up to 10,000 for concerts, has played host to a number of concerts since it opened in 1999, including Kenny Rogers, Kool and the Gang, 98 Degrees, Jo De Messina, Bad Company, Ja Rule and Nelly.
However, because of scheduling conflicts, no concerts have been scheduled in recent years.
That's about to change, said Thom Sharp, Eastwood Field director. Another concert is in the works for early August, he said, adding the stadium hopes to schedule three concerts per year starting in 2007