At 18, Scrappers mature into a pre-eminent team

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers celebrate a milestone today, turning 18 years old while beginning the 2016 minor-league baseball season against the West Virginia Black Bears at Eastwood Field.

Over those years, the Scrappers, the Valley’s Cleveland Indians farm team, has matured into the pre-eminent summer sports and entertainment institution in the Youngstown-Warren region. The team has forged strong and enduring bonds with Major League Baseball, the Valley community and a passionate and growing fan base.

The Scrappers indeed have more than proved their endurance. After all, a string of lower-tier professional sports teams has come and gone in our community over the past two decades. Most of them lacked sufficient fan base and organization to keep them on the ice, on the field or on the court.

Over those same 18 years, however, the Niles-based New York Penn League franchise has enjoyed an incredibly successful and sustained run on the baseball diamond at the beautiful Eastwood Field, owned by the Cafaro Co. As excitement builds for the Scrappers’ home opener tonight under new manager Edwin Rodriguez, we’re counting on three months of baseball slam-packed with fun and entertainment for fans, continued growth for the squad and myriad economic and quality-of-life perks for our sports-frenzied region.

AN ASSET FOR INDIANS

From a strictly business perspective, the team has proved itself an asset for Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Indians. The Scrappers have fielded many savvy players who have ended up on the roster of the Indians, including C.C. Sabathia, Victor Martinez, Ryan Garko and Francisco Lindor.

Just this week, the Indians hierarchy acknowledged the Scrappers’ importance to the organization by extending its contract with the team through the 2018 season.

From a community-building perspective, the Scrappers drive home a tangible spirit of regionalism and pride in our five-county area, a refreshing change from the parochial and negative attitudes that too often hinder progress on economic, community development and other playing fields. Scrappers officials report fans from all parts of the Mahoning and Shenango valleys follow the team with zest and pride.

And why not? The Dawgs put talented “baseball with bite” on display for all to see. Though the squad has slumped in the New York-Penn League rankings in recent years, we’re betting on a strong resurgence this year fueled by a pasionate, supporting and expanding fan base.

TEAM’S COMMUNITY IMPACT

And while fans support the team, the Scrappers support their home base. The team wields a significant economic impact on the Valley through its staff and scores of game-night workers. The Scrappers also offer valuable internships each summer for college students training in marketing, operations and other fields. The team supports hundreds of community groups through mascot Scrappy appearances, donations and fundraising programs.

For example, this season’s schedule includes Monday Matters nights. Fans can bring a donation to Monday games of new books for Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley, nonperishable food items for Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley or gently used clothing for the Niles Community Center and receive a free general-admission ticket to the game.

What’s more, the economic impact of more than 3,000 fans on average who attend each Scrappers game can be felt in nearby restaurants, bars, nightclubs and retail establishments.

The Scrappers also provide families and individuals with excitement at affordable prices, close to home and in one of the most attractive ballparks in the minor leagues. This 18th season is loaded with special events at virtually every game. Among them are the Bo Pellini bobblehead giveaway night on June 25, Bark in the Park for dog lovers on July 31 and Zombie Night on Aug. 31.

As these and other enjoyable and economical promotions prove, the leaders and staff of the Scrappers’ pay close attention to every detail of every game to maximize fun, success and profit for the squad. That’s a lesson other sports franchises would be wise to heed when considering setting up shop in the Valley.