SCRAPPERS NOTEBOOK From Eastwood Field

Travelin’ man: After having served as the Scrappers public address announcer in 2007, Mark Means has moved into the radio booth. The position has provided Means with a new perspective of life in the minors. “I always knew that the travel schedule was rigorous, but until you experience it firsthand it’s hard to appreciate what these players go through,” Means said. “Between practice, games and travel, these guys live and breathe baseball.” Means’ most notable road experience to date? “Broadcasting at Staten Island on July Fourth. I was able to see the Statue of Liberty from the broadcast booth, not to mention numerous fireworks displays. It was quite a sight.”

Let’s Jam: For years, the origin of the Jammers’ nickname puzzled NY-PL fans. The team’s logo, a bat-wielding Tasmanian Devil, provided few clues. However, the mystery behind the nickname was cleared up last year when the Jammers unveiled their new logo — a bat-wielding, cap-wearing anthropomorphic cluster of grapes. Turns out the Jammers nickname is a salute to the thriving grape industry within the Jamestown region. Chautauqua County, which includes Jamestown, is the No. 1 producer of Concord Grapes in the country. The red, black and silver uniforms worn by the club for 12 years were replaced with colors more associated with grapes — green and purple.

Roster moves: The Cleveland Indians weren’t the only team in the organization making moves over the weekend. The Scrappers lost a pair of players Sunday, as infielder Walter Diaz was promoted to AAA Buffalo, while Doug Pickens was promoted to Lake County. Diaz batted .288 with 19 RBI in 18 games with the Scrappers, while Pickens batted .229 with a homer and 17 RBI in 23 games. Joining the Scrappers’ roster Sunday were catcher Mike Valadez (sent from Lake County) and infielder Cord Phelps (promoted from the Gulf Coast Indians). Valadez spent much of the 2007 with the Scrappers.

Class acts: Prior to Sunday’s game, the Scrappers Backers held their 10th annual scholarship presentation. This year’s recipients included; Nicole Weaver (Champion), Vincent Vitucci (Struthers), Dominic Buffone (LaBrae) and Jamie Dolan (Campbell). All four scholarship winners are 2008 graduates of their respective schools. Over the past 10 years, the Scrappers Backers have awarded $40,000 to area high school students.

Leftover scraps: Scrappers hitters have reached base 167 times this year via the walk, which is tops in the NY-PL … Jamestown leads the NY-PL with a .272 team batting average. The Jammers have also hit a league-high 34 home runs … Through 18 home games, the Scrappers have averaged 3,611 fans. Last year, the Scrappers averaged 3,704 fans per game.

Steve Ruman