BEAVER TOWNSHIP – The Mahoning Valley Scrappers will celebrate their 26th season this summer and fourth overall as a member of the recently formed MLB Draft League.

Roxanne Polichetti, Scrappers accounting and human resources manager who was pinch-hitting for assistant general manager Matt Thompson at Monday’s Curbstone Coaches meeting, said the team is ready for its June 4 season opener at Williamsport and anxiously awaiting its home lidlifter at Eastwood Field versus the Frederick Keys on June 7.

“This is my 10th year with the organization and it has been just an awesome experience for me,” Polichetti told the group assembled Monday at Avion Banquet Center. “I started out as box office manager and toward the end of that first season, our accounting and human resources manager at that time wanted to go in a different direction.

“I was trained the remainder of the year in that department, was helped in all areas and have been in that position for the last nine years.”

A former four-year letterwinner in softball for the Edinboro University Fighting Scots, if money is involved then Polichetti is the person everyone deals with.

“I am in charge of the money that comes in, goes out, accounts payable, receivable and payroll,” she added. “I make sure our full-time employees are paid as well as the interns and game day staff, all the while making sure everyone’s paperwork and tax forms are all in proper order.”

An MLB Draft League team is run differently than a regular Minor League team’s season, something Polichetti had to get used to.

“The first half of the season is completely different and it took some getting used to, but it is getting easier now,” Polichetti said. “We are hands off in getting players, a manager and his staff. Major League Baseball conducts the interviews, scouts the players then sends them to us. They are not paid, however, the second half of the season a player is considered a professional and all are paid.

“Some first-half players might head back to school or even return the following year, but MLB will still find the players for the second half of the season and they send them to us.”

The Scrappers still have multiple promotions on tap this season with fireworks set for every Friday home game and Independence Day, three bobblehead nights, six ‘Buck Nights’ and Cookie Table Night returning on Aug. 12 when the Scrappers host the State College Spikes.

The three bobblehead giveaways include a Margaritaville Scrappy (home opener on June 7), top prospect Brayan Rocchio on July 20 and on August 3, Seinfeld Night – Puffy Shirt Jose Ramirez.

Also, Wrestling Under the Stars in conjunction with Northeast Wrestling returns to Eastwood Field on July 13 and will feature WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry, Matt Riddle, Matt Cardona, Breeze, Fandango with more still to be announced as the date nears.

An area new for Polichetti is helping to secure host families and housing for its players.

I took over this area in ’22 and back then we had eight families willing to host,” she noted. “Going into this season, we have 16 families but still need more (that are) willing to host a player.”

Families interested in serving as hosts are urged to call Polichetti at 330-505-000, Ext. 207.

Next week, Ethan Faulkner, recently named Youngstown State’s new men’s head basketball coach, will serve as guest speaker.

Have an interesting story? Contact the Sports Department by email at sports@tribtoday.com. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, @TribChronSports.