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Scrappers’ 17th season in NYPL is under way
Scrappers’ 17th season
offers baseball, extras
By Steve Ruman
NILES
The boys are back in town!
The boys of summer, that is.
Fresh off a six-game road trip to start the season, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers will make their Eastwood Field debut tonight when they host State College. The 7:05 p.m. game is the first of 38 regular-season home games for the Scrappers.
Tonight’s contest is the first of a six-game homestand.
Today also marks the 16th anniversary of the first-ever Scrappers game played in Niles. On June 25, 1999 the Scrappers defeated Auburn 8-5 in front of 6,718 fans. At the time, Eastwood Field was known as Cafaro Field.
“Opening Day is always special in baseball. That is especially true here because Scrappers fans have always been so supportive and passionate about their team,” said Scrappers assistant general manager Heather Sahli. “Eastwood Field has created a lot of memories for families over the years. We hope to do the same in this summer.”
As it has in the past, the Scrappers’ promotional schedule includes ticket discounts, giveaways and fireworks.
In fact, tonight’s opener features two fan favorites — Buck Night and fireworks. Fans attending tonight’s game can purchase general admission tickets, hot dogs and drinks for $1. A fireworks show will follow the game.
The 2015 schedule features six Buck Nights, six post-game firework displays and three bobblehead giveaways (Jim Tressel, CC Sabathia and Cody Allen).
Other giveaways include foam fingers, t-shirts and logo baseballs. Highlighting the schedule will be a Star Wars night on Aug. 22 featuring a game-worn jersey auction. Saved by the Bell’s Mr. Belding (actor Dennis Haskins) will make an appearance on July 17 and fan favorite “Inflatamaniacs” will return on Aug. 14.
The Tressel bobbleheads will be given away to the first 1,000 fans attending Friday’s Scrappers-Spikes game. The bobblehead will feature Tressel in a Youngstown State sweater vest.
“There are a lot more giveaways this year, and we’ve put together promotions that will appeal to a wide variety of fans,” Sahli said. “Whether you are a baseball fanatic or just a casual fan, there’s something for you this summer at Eastwood Field.”
On the field, the Scrappers are guided by former Major League all-star Travis Fryman, who also managed the team from 2008-2010. The roster includes six players who were with the Scrappers in 2014. It also features 14 players who were selected by the Cleveland Indians in the recent June draft.
The Scrappers are looking to break a three-year streak of finishing in fifth place in the Pinckney Division of the New York-Penn League. After finishing with 30-win seasons in both 2012 and 2013, they logged a 33-43 record last summer.
The Scrappers last made the playoffs in 2009, finishing 49-27 and falling to Staten Island in the NYPL championship series.