NOTEBOOK \ Scrappers vs. Jammers

All-Star Scraps: The fourth annual New York-Penn League All-Star game will be played Tuesday at Tri-City’s Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in Troy, New York. Previous NY-PL All-Star games were played in Brooklyn, Aberdeen and Hudson Valley. The NY-PL has already established locations for its All-Star games in 2009 and 2010. Next year, the game will be played in State College, while Staten Island will host the contest in 2010. … The NY-PL All-Star game is the only minor league all-star game that features a match-up between American and National League affiliates. … The American League roster includes four Scrappers — Robbie Alcombrach (C ), Lonnie Chisenhall (SS), Brock Simpson (1B), and Isaias Velasquez (2B).

Scott’s Star Scrappers: Since 2000 when he began serving as the Scrappers’ scoreboard operator, Scott Hansen has recorded nearly every ball, strike and out at the stadium. Sunday, Hansen took time in between pitches to list his personal Scrappers all-time all-star team. The line-up includes: Victor Kline (P), Victor Martinez (C ), Todd Martin (1B), Shawn Larkin (2B), Kevin Kouzmanoff (3B), Josh Rodriguez (SS), Ryan Goleski (OF), Ben Francisco (OF), Ryan Church (OF), Mike Butia (DH). Hansen’s all-time favorite Scrapper? “Ryan Church. I got to know Ryan while he was here, and he was not just a great player, but a great person. He was one of those talents that you knew was going to make it. He was special.”

Niles-bound: Following the all-star break, the Scrappers’ roster will be bolstered by the addition of Zach Putnam, who on Thursday signed a $650,000 contract with the Indians after being selected in the fifth round of the June draft. Putnam recently completed his junior year at the University of Michigan. This past spring he was named Big Ten pitcher of the year after going 9-0 and posting a 2.58 ERA. As a designated hitter, Putnam batted .307 with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs in 55 games. The Indians plan to develop the right-hander as a pitcher.

Leftover Scraps: The Jammers lead the NY-PL with 57 home runs. Tri-City is a distant second with 37. … Scrappers lefty Eric Berger was selected to participate in this week’s all-star game, however he will not be part of the official roster. Earlier this week, Berger was promoted to Lake County. … Scrappers infielder Lonnie Chisenhall is third in the league in RBIs (40) and doubles (15). … Brock Simpson has not grounded into a double play this season in 167 at-bats. … Cord Phelps is batting .404 in the month of August.

Steve Ruman