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Scrappers preparing for 2010 NYPL season
By Greg Gulas
BOARDMAN
The Mahoning Valley Scrappers’ season is less than seven weeks away and the team’s general manager, Dave Smith, has been busy readying his staff for the many promotions being planned.
With Travis Fryman set to return for his third season as manager and the team coming off its record-setting 49-win regular season in 2009, the excitement and anticipation of a new season is at fever pitch.
Speaking to the Curbstone Coaches during their weekly meeting Monday at the Blue Wolf Banquet Center, he said it’s too early to know the make-up of the team.
“Many of our players will be coming to us right out of the June amateur free agent draft,” Smith said.
“Many of last year’s players are already on the Kinston [Carolina League] and Lake County [Midwest League] rosters, but we’ve been very fortunate the past two years in that fans have gotten a chance to see many of the Indians’ top selections with the Scrappers.
Smith, who is entering his seventh season as the Scrappers’ GM and his 15th overall in minor league baseball, said the Indians’ current top-100 prospects list includes nearly half who have played for the Scrappers.
“Four of the top 13 prospects on that list are former Scrappers,” he said. “Now, however, the organization needs the players from the Casey Blake, C.C. Sabathia, Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee trades to begin to develop and turn into quality players.”
Returning to Fryman’s staff this summer will be pitching coach Ken Rowe while former Scrapper, Dennis Malave, who was a bench coach with the Indians the last several seasons, returns to his minor league roots as hitting coach.
On May 10, the team will release its full promotional schedule while on May 15 individual tickets will go on sale.
The three-time Pinckney Division and 2004 league champions will make their first Eastwood Field appearance on June 21 when they play host to the Auburn Doubledays.
Also appearing at the weekly meeting was Ed Matey, athletic director for the Youngstown City Schools, who talked about proposed renovations to Rayen Stadium.
To be known as Judge William Rayen Stadium, the 7,000 seat complex will have a building with locker rooms, a concession stand, storage area and press box.
Informational meetings have already taken place and Matey hopes to have a kick-off meeting for the $3 million project by the end of May.
Further information can be obtained by calling Matey at (330) 744-6955.