Scrappers’ skipper going ‘back to the future’

Tim Laker will begin his career tonight where he started as a pro player.

By JOE SCALZO

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

NILES — Nineteen years ago, Tim Laker was an 18-year-old catching prospect out of California getting ready for his first season in professional baseball. He had just been drafted by the Montreal Expos in the sixth round of the 1988 draft and he was 2,500 miles away from home.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” said Laker. “It was my first time away from home and I didn’t know what I needed to do.

“It took me a while to get adjusted.”

His first team was the Jamestown Jammers, who played in a classic old ball yard in western New York called Russell Diethrick Park.

Coincidentally, after a 19-year playing career that included 11 seasons in the ‘bigs,’ Laker will start his managing career with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in the same place he started: Jamestown.

The Jammers play host to the Scrappers tonight in the New York-Penn League opener for both teams.

Stadiums changed

Although the Jammers still play in the same stadium, much of the minors has changed since 1988, starting with the stadiums. Eastwood Field looks more like a miniature major league stadium than the dingy Class A parks Laker played in.

“It’s unbelievable,” Laker said of Eastwood Field. “Where I started was nothing compared to what they have here.”

Teams have also gotten better at dealing with players. Laker said he had to fend for himself when he started, teaching himself to cook and handle life on his own. Conversely, a member of the Scrappers backers was there to greet the players this week after flying in from extended spring training in Florida. Most Scrappers stay with host families during the season who help them make the adjustment to professional baseball.

“Everyone is so nice,” said outfielder Stephen Douglas, a Georgia native who played for Mahoning Valley last season. “They’re really eager to give a helping hand and some home cooking.”

For most players, the biggest adjustment is learning to play every day. Most of the players have just finished their collegiate careers where they might have played four or five times a week.

“I think we play 76 games in 81 days and that can be a bit of a grind,” said Laker. “These guys are used to balancing baseball with classes and frat parties.”

That’s where Laker comes in. At 37, he’s young enough to relate to most of the players. And as a baseball lifer, he can help the players understand how to advance to the next level.

“At this level especially, you try to teach the guys the fundamentals and instill a good work ethic,” said Laker, who spent five of the past six seasons with the Indians’ organization. “Everything they go through is still pretty fresh in my mind.

“Obviously, we’d like to win. But the most important thing is making sure they play the right way.”

Douglas can be benefit

Guys like Douglas can also help. He’s one of six returning Scrappers from last season.

“It’s amazing how much of a jump it is,” said Douglas, comparing pro baseball to college. “The most important thing is that you have to stay on a bit of an even-keel. You’re going to have bad times and good times.”

Laker is making an adjustment himself. He spent the spring as a roving catching instructor and this will be his first season as a manager.

“It’s a little different, but I’m liking it,” said Laker. “I’m pretty excited to get started.”

scalzo@vindy.com