NILES — For a second straight summer, Scrappers manager Quinton McCracken is calling the Mahoning Valley his summer home.

And for a second straight summer, McCracken feels right at home in the Mahoning Valley.

McCracken managed the Scrappers in 2024. When the opportunity to return for a second season presented itself, he didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation.

“This area is reminiscent of home in so many ways,” said McCracken, a native of Southport, N.C. “Everything from the greenery to the people. Just like home, the people here are extremely passionate about their sports. And just like home, the people here are very friendly and down to earth.

“I felt at home right from the start last year. Coming back here this summer, it wasn’t much of a decision. I was excited about doing this all over again.”

For McCracken, “doing this” means spending a lot of time at the ball park. Whether it’s at Eastwood Field or in one of the five other MLB Draft League cities, McCracken starts each morning with a bit of devotional reading. It’s his own time, it’s his peaceful respite from an otherwise baseball-packed day.

McCracken generally arrives at the ballpark before noon. His afternoon schedule includes filling out a lineup, setting up a daily player and staff schedule, directing staff meetings and “generally taking care of the business of baseball.”

From there it’s meeting with players, then hitting the field for practice, whether it’s fundamentals, reps or game situation drills. That’s followed by batting practice, pregame meetings, then the game itself. McCracken generally leaves the ballpark around midnight.

“If it was a matter of coming to the park and playing the game, this would be easy,” McCracken said. “But how we perform during a game is dictated by what we do each and every day leading up to those games.

“It’s a process. Baseball is a tough game, it’s a challenge for even the all-time greats. You have to put in a ton of effort and a ton of time in order to reach your goals.”

Managing a summer league team in the MLB Draft League presents its own unique challenges. The season begins with a roster which includes a mix of college players and those who are just days removed from high school. Because of the college schedule, many players are late arrivals, creating an ever-changing roster.

The roster then receives a complete overhaul in mid-July when the Draft League evolves into a professional format, which exclusively includes players who have used up all amateur eligibility.

“It’s always a challenge, the players are here to showcase their talents and you want to give everyone an equal opportunity to do so,” McCracken said. “You also have to be very mindful of overuse, especially when it comes to pitching.

“It’s not just a case of throwing your best pitchers out there every night based on the game situation. You have to be extremely mindful of individual pitch counts. Our top priority will always be player safety.”

McCracken offers a wealth of big league experience to his players. After graduating from Duke University, McCracken was selected by the Colorado Rockies in their inaugural draft in 1992. He made his major league debut in 1995. A year later he batted .290. In 1997 he stole a career-high 28 bases with a .292 average.

With Tampa in 1998 McCracken was the Rays’ MVP, batting .292 with seven home runs and 59 RBI while playing in 155 games.

McCracken spent three years in Tampa. He went on to play for Minnesota, Arizona (where he batted .309 in 2002) and Seattle before ending his MLB playing career in 2006 with Cincinnati. He played in 452 MLB games.

Following his retirement as a player, McCracken held front office jobs with the Diamondback, Marlins, Astros and Brewers. He held numerous positions, including farm director and special assistant for player development.

“Almost to a man, these players come in here knowing that this entire coaching staff has been where they want to be, and they are receptive to what we try to offer in terms of coaching,” McCracken said. “We’re all on the same page. We’re all here with the same goal – to give these players the best opportunity possible to play at that next level.

“A lot of these players are here learning about the business of baseball. They’re dealing with the long days and the travel and the every-day schedule for the first time. They’re learning to feel comfortable in uncomfortable situations.”

Along the way, McCracken hopes to be building relationships that will last well beyond the baseball careers.

“When you spend this much time with each other, relationships and bonding means everything,” McCracken said. “At the end of the day, that’s as important as anything. It builds trust. It builds chemistry. It develops a winning team and it creates friends for life.”

Like his players, McCracken hopes that time with the Scrappers will eventually lead to an opportunity to perform in the big leagues. In McCracken’s case, that would mean a chance to manage or coach at the MLB level.

“Absolutely, I have aspirations of managing at the big league level,” McCracken said. “I spent more than half my life in this game. I’ve done it all from playing to being an executive to now managing. I’ve gotten a peek behind the curtain. I understand the game and the business of the game from every angle.

“Just like my players, I hope that it all leads to bigger things at the next level.”

NOTE: The Scrappers’ game against the Fredrick Keys was not completed by print deadline.