By STEVE RUMAN

Correspondent

NILES — Following weeks of unseasonably cool weather, the area is finally beginning to experience the return of summer-like temperatures.

The Boys of Summer have also made their way back to the Mahoning Valley.

The 2025 Opening Day edition of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers was introduced to the area Monday evening when the Scrappers held their annual Meet The Team Night at the Eastwood Mall in Niles.

The Scrappers will open their season Wednesday when they host State College in the first of a two-game series. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.

“Opening day never gets old,” Scrappers general manager Heather Sahli said. “You wait an entire year for this to happen. The build-up is crazy. Then to be able to open the gates for the first time and to be able to see all the fans lining up and coming in, it’s always super special.

“The sights, the sounds and the smells of the ballpark on opening day always results in a feel-good moment.”

Sahli is entering her 20th season with the Scrappers, and is in her third year as the team’s GM.

“There’s a ton of work that goes into these next three months,” Sahli said. “So many people work all year long to make this a reality. Game nights are crazy, but it all comes together thanks to a staff that works extremely hard in the months leading up to June.

“Our goal is to always provide an affordable night of family fun that is packed with entertainment and promotions.”

Wednesday’s opener will feature a pregame concert and a postgame fireworks show. There will be a Hawaiin shirt giveaway to the first 1,000 adult fans who pass through the gates, and the players will wear specialty Margaritaville jerseys which will be auctioned off after the game.

As is the case every Wednesday, fans who present a military ID will receive a pair of upper box seat tickets.

Thursday will feature the first Buck Night of the season, and there will also be a magnetic schedule giveaway.

The season home schedule includes seven Buck Nights, two bobblehead giveaways, eight postgame fireworks shows, a drone show and 10 specialty jersey nights.

Other giveaway nights include youth jerseys, Scrappers caps and a C.C. Sabathia Hall of Fame t-shirt as part of C.C. Sabathia Appreciation Night on July 26.

“A ton of corporate sponsorship and community support has allowed us to bring back and even expand on all of our most popular promotions,” Sahli said.

On the field, the Scrappers will be guided by second-year manager Quinton McCracken, who last year guided the team to a 37-38 finish. McCracken becomes the first Scrappers manager to return for a second season since Jim Pankovits guided the team in 2018-19.

“Last summer was a great experience in many aspects, from the cooperation I received from the (Scrappers) front office to the daily on-field experience of working with some very talented individuals.” McCracken said. “When all was said and done, it was an easy choice to return.

“I enjoy the opportunity of helping young players in their pursuit of becoming professional players, while at the same time, building my own resume in my pursuit of coaching at the highest level.”

McCracken – a native of North Carolina who currently resides in Katy, Texas – said that spending another summer in the Mahoning Valley was also a selling point for both him and his family.

“We love it here, I love the scenery, things are green and lively and I love the rivers and lakes,” McCracken said. “Being from a small town in North Carolina, Niles and the surrounding area really resonated with me right from the start.

“Everyone at the ballpark and everyone I met away from the ballpark was so warm and welcoming. It felt like home.”

The opening day roster includes 23 players from 13 different states and three foreign nations (Czech Republic, Aruba, Canada). The lone Ohioan on the roster hails from Mason. Pitcher JJ Tylicki is a native of Shawnee (KS), but he is quite familiar with the Mahoning Valley. Tylicki played for Youngstown State University this past spring after spending the previous two years at the University of Kansas.

“It’s going to be fun to start a new chapter here,” said Tylicki, who was a redshirt senior this year. “I really enjoy the area, the people around here are passionate about their sports so that makes things fun.

“After a terrible spring from a weather standpoint, I’m looking forward to pitching at Eastwood Field in some nice weather.”

Warren resident Caroline Metzker was among the large group of Scrappers fans who attended Monday’s event. She waited patiently as her 10-year-old son received autographs from the players and coaching staff.

“Every year we get to as many games as possible,” Metzker said. “We always have a great time. As far as my son is concerned these players are big leaguers. And it’s great that they are always willing to interact with the fans.

“My daughter doesn’t know a thing about baseball, but going to the games is her favorite part of summer.”

The Scrappers will play 40 home games this summer. Following their two-game series against the Spikes, the Scrapper will play three games on the road then return to Eastwood Field June 10 for a three-game series against Trenton. Tylicki, who was a redshirt senior this year. “I really enjoy the area, the people around here are passionate about their sports so that makes things fun.

“After a terrible spring from a weather standpoint, I’m looking forward to pitching at Eastwood Field in some nice weather.”

Warren resident Caroline Metzker was among the large group of Scrappers fans who attended Monday’s event. She waited patiently as her 10-year-old son received autographs from the players and coaching staff.

“Every year we get to as many games as possible,” Metzker said. “We always have a great time. As far as my son is concerned these players are big leaguers. And it’s great that they are always willing to interact with the fans.

“My daughter doesn’t know a thing about baseball, but going to the games is her favorite part of summer.”

The Scrappers will play 40 home games this summer. Following their two-game series against the Spikes, the Scrapper will play three games on the road then return to Eastwood Field June 10 for a three-game series against Trenton.