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Scappers back in action on Friday
Team looking to end 7-year skid
By Steve Ruman
NILES
The boys of summer are back.
So too are the bobbeheads, the fireworks and the celebrity sightings.
The Mahoning Valley Scrappers will open their season Friday when they host West Virginia for the start of a two-game series. Friday’s contest marks the first of 38 regular-season home games scheduled at Eastwood Field.
The Niles ball park has been the home of the Cleveland Indians’ Class A affiliate since 1999.
“There’s always something very special about opening the stadium gates for the first time each season,” Scrappers assistant general manager Heather Sahli said. “Opening day never loses its luster.”
Sahli is entering her 12th season with the Scrappers. She and the rest of the Scrappers’ front office personnel have spent the past nine months preparing a promotions schedule aimed at pleasing both the hardcore and casual baseball fans.
“While baseball will always be the main attraction, we aim to provide a night of affordable entertainment geared toward the entire family,” Sahli said.
The first homestand of the season will include a post-game fireworks display and a magnetic schedule giveaway on Friday. On Saturday, both the Scrappers (Ironman) and Black Bears (Captain America) will don specialty jerseys as part of Super Hero Night. The first 500 children (age 12 and under) through the gates will also receive a youth replica jersey.
The 2016 home schedule includes six post-game firework displays, four Thursday Buck Nights and three bobblehead giveaways (Bo Pelini, Dave Grohl, Bradley Zimmer).
The Pelini bobblehead giveaway (June 25) will be part of Youngstown State University Night. The Scrappers will wear YSU-themed jerseys which will be auctioned off after the game.
Peyton List (Emma Ross from Disney Channel’s Jessie & Bunk’d) will make an appearance on July 23, while Leonardo of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fame will visit on Aug. 14.
On Aug. 20, fans will have an opportunity to take part in a pre-game VIP Meet and Greet with former Indians great Carlos Baerga.
Longtime favorites such as Bark at the Park, Scout Night sleepover and Military Night will also be part of the summer schedule, while the Scrappers have added an All You Can Eat promotion for all Tuesday home games.
“Honestly, our promotional schedule is still ongoing, it’s a never-ending process,” Sahli said. “We’re always looking to add fresh, new ideas while maintaining the fan favorites that have been around for years.”
“We never take a break in trying to provide the best entertainment value around.”
On the field, the Scrappers will look to break a seven-year playoff drought. The Scrappers have finished at least 10 games below .500 in each of the past four seasons. And, they’ve had a better record on the road than they have at home in five of the past six seasons. During that span, they haven’t won more than 15 home games in any year with the exception of 2011.
The Scrappers’ 13 home wins in 2015 equaled a franchise-low.
Despite the poor showing on the field, the Scrappers continue to be a hit with area fans. The Scrappers drew 111,079 fans to Eastwood Field last summer, an average of 3,002 fans per contest.
“Mahoning Valley baseball fans very knowledgeable when it comes to the game and they are extremely supportive of this franchise,” Scrappers radio broadcaster Tim Pozsgai said. “They understand that they are treated to a quality brand of baseball.”
Pozsgai worked for the Scrappers for three years beginning in 2012. Last year he called games for the Lake County Captains, and now returns behind the microphone this summer at Eastwood Field.
“Not to take anything away from the Lake County fans, but the fans (in the Mahoning Valley) are much more passionate about their franchise,” Pozsgai said.
Gates open Friday at 6 p.m. First pitch is slated for 7:05.