Archive for the ‘Scrappers’ Category

The 2010 NY-Penn League season officially opened on Friday and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers fared pretty well taking two of three from the Jamestown Jammers.  Monday night, the Scrappers got to play host to the Auburn Doubledays.  In front of 5,099 fans, the Scrappers couldn’t generate any offense and couldn’t get an out in a seven run second inning in losing 12-0.

For the Scrappers starting pitcher, Casey Gaynor, what started as a promising night unexpectedly turned into a very early exit.  Gaynor struck out the side in the first inning and had the large Eastwood Field crowd cheering.  The second inning was a nightmare for Gaynor as he surrendered a 2-RBI double to Jack Murphy.  After a bases-loaded walk forced in another run, DH Carlos Perez took a Gaynor offering out of the park for a grand slam and a 7-0 Doubledays lead.

JD Goryl relieved Gaynor to start the third and struggled with his control.  Auburn tacked on three more runs in the next two innings, two of them on a throw Goryl couldn’t handle covering first base.

Meanwhile…  Doubledays starter Sam Strickland (pictured) cruised along, going six strong innings and yielding only four hits.  Strickland was replaced by Zach Outman who allowed three Scrappers to reach base in the same inning for the first time in the seventh inning.  Outman pitched out of trouble leaving the bases loaded and freezing Scrappers CF Kevin Rucker with a nasty curveball.

On a bright note for Mahoning Valley, LF Chase Burnette had a pair of hits. Burnette seemed unphased by the home-opening loss and knows that it is one game.  “We have to respond better to avoid big innings like the one they had on us tonight and have to be more responsive moving forward.”

Scrappers Manager Travis Fryman knows that these first few games are a feeling out process and that his team will be ready to play tomorrow.  “It’s early in the season and we are not real concerned about this loss.  If we were twenty-five games in there would be some concern.”

Fryman added that many of the new Scrappers will spend the Summer learning how to hit with a wooden bat.  “There will be a period of time, maybe all Summer, for some of these guys to learn how to hit with a wooden bat.”

A quality Summer baseball camp is being offered to the public for kids ages 6-13 at Eastwood Field.  The instructional camp will take place Wednesday, July 14 through Friday, July 16 and packages can be purchased in different increments.

The camp will feature superior instruction from YSU’s Head Coach, Rich Pasquale. Pasquale and two of his assistants, Craig Antush and Tom Lipari, will conduct several drills to enhance accuracy in development.

• Camp Option One: 9 a.m. – noon.  Fielding, throwing, base running, and hitting.  Cost $125 and videotaping to take place on Wednesday and Friday for hitting.
• Camp Option Two: 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.  Pitching only.  Videotaping will take place on Wednesday and Friday and the cost for pitching camp is $50.
• Camp Option Three: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (all day)  Players to receive instruction in both hitting and pitching.  Cost is $150 and videotaping will take place during both the hitting and pitching sections.  Players choosing the third option are to bring a lunch.

Registration fot the camp starts Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. at Eastwood Field’s offices.  The camp is not a YSU or Mahoning Valley Scrappers promotion, but the attendees will be treated to the best of both worlds with supreme facilities and top of the line instruction.

The camp is limited to the first 75 players and will take place rain or shine.  Campers are encouraged to mark any equipment that they bring and may bring and use baseball shoes.

For more information, call the Mahoning Valley Scrappers at 330-505-000 or Craig Antush at 330-539-4577.

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are gearing up for the 2010 season with the announcement of its promotional schedule.  The big highlight for me is August 7, when George “The Animal” Steele hits Eastwood Field on Wrestling Night.  Opening night is Monday, June 21 and a fireworks display will happen after that game.  Fireworks will also be shot after every Friday game (there are six).

Here is a list of special events with the dates they will take place:

• June 21 – Magnetic Schedule Night sponsored by Western Reserve Orthotics and Prosthetics.
• June 22 – Wellness Night presented by Quest Diagnostics with Prostate Awaremess and local health care vendors.
• June 23 – College Fair Night woth $1,000 scholarship giveaway presented by Kent State Trumbull Branch.
• June 24 – Twilight Vampire Night with fang giveaway and movie prize packs.
• June 25 – Faith Night featuring a pre-game concert by Chris Mowery.
• July 1 – LeBron James Rally Night featuring the Cavs Dancers and a rally towel giveaway in an effort to keep LeBron in Cleveland.
• July 3 – Adult Cap Giveaway sponsored by MVPBA Scrappers Backers.
• July 8 – Tee It Up Night which is an appreciation night for golfers.
• July 9 – Faith Night featuring a pre-game concert by Sonny Cashbaugh and a post-game talk by Travis Fryman.
• July 10 – Bark At The Park presented by Niles Veterinary Clinic.  Also, Youth Jersey Giveaway sponsored by Armstrong.
• July 11 – Indians Affiliate Day featuring an appearance from Slider.  Also, Grady Sizemore Fathead Tradeable giveaway sponsored by Subway of Niles.
• July 12 – ’85 Rewind Movies Night celebrating 25th anniversary of classic movies.
• July 13 – National French Fry Day.
• July 17 – Buffett Night with post-game concert with Fins To The Left.
• July 18 – Snoopy Appearance presented by Cedar Point with VIP Tour prizes.
• July 25 – Christmas In July with a Santa Clause appearance and Toys For Tots gift drive.  Also, Webkinz Lil’ Kinz giveaway.
• July 26 – Wine Tasting Charity Fundraiser.
• July 31 – Breast Cancer Awareness Night featuring the Susan G. Komen 5K Race For The Cure.
• August 1 – Chevrolet Cruze Night.
• August 4 – One Hit Wonders Night presented by The Nicholson Center.
• August 5 – Irish Night featuring Playboy’s Lisa Neeld.
• August 6 – Boy Scout Night with a stadium sleepover and movie.  Pre-game concertby HIS Music Connection.
• August 7 – Game Of Hope Charity Softball Game presented by Hope Foundation of Mahoning Valley.
• August 8 – Mascot Mania Night with a special appearance by Jimmy Neutron presented by Time Warner.  Also, Team Set Card giveaway night featuring Luke Holko and post-game autograph session.
• August 9 – Game Show Night.

• August 18 – Ed O’Neill Night with Polk High t-shirt giveaway, also Dare Day.
• August 19 – 80’s Night presented by Twisted Tea.
• August 20 – Girl Scout Night with a stadium sleepover and movie.
• August 24 – Rock & Roll Night.
• August 25 – The Office Night.
• August 26 – Reality TV Night.
• August 30 – $2,500 Restaurant Gift Card Giveaway Night.
• August 31 – College Football Night.
• September 3 – Negro League Tribute Night.
• September 4 – Reusable Bag giveaway sponsored by Shearer’s and The Vindicator.
• September 5 – Fan Appreciation Night with Scrapper team poster giveaway sponsored by Buckeye Online School For Success.

Rafe Hernandez, from “Days Of Our Lives“, will be signing autographs on July 31 for Ladies Night sponsored by The Circulatory Center and 21 WFMJ.

Here is a list of daily promos:

• McDonalds Mondays/ Ohio Lottery Power-Play Promotion. All fans will receive a $5.00 box seat ticket by simply showing a McDonald’s receipt for any Monday game.  Or, present any non-winning Powerball ticket and receive a General Admission ticket at half price ($3.50).
• $2 Tuesdays presented by Handel’s and Hershey’s / Kraft Singles 2-for-1 Offer. All fans will receive a general admission ticket for only $2.00.  Hot dogs, 16 oz. Pepsi products, 16 oz. draft beer, and ice cream sandwiches are also available for $2.00 each.  Bring in any Kraft Singles wrapper and receive 2 tickets for the price of one.
• Wendy’s Wednesdays / Military ID Night. Buy one, get one free box seat ticket by simply showing a receipt from Wendy’s for any Wednesday night game.  All members of the military, both current and retired, receive two free box seat tickets by showing a valid military identification card.
• Thursday Buck Night presented by Plevin and Gallucci.  All general admission tickets, hot dogs, and 12 oz. beverages are only $1.00 all night long.
• Friday Night Fireworks presented by 21 WFMJ.  Following each Friday home game, fans will be treated to a spectacular display of fireworks.
• Kids Eat Free Saturdays presented by Pizza Hut and 21 WFMJ.  Kids 12 and under will receive a free slice of pizza, chips, and soft drink for any Saturday night game.
• Sunday family fun days presented by PNC.  All fans can buy a box seat ticket for $5.00 for any Sunday night game.  Kids can enjoy face painting, sign making, and running the bases after the game.

Should be a busy Summer in Niles!  Looking forward to covering the Scrappers again this season with profiles, game summaries, editorials, interviews, and pictures.

Luke Holko continues to fight and some positive results are finally starting to result.  Luke is pictured here with his parents, Nicole and Chad Holko.  This photo was taken right before the ball hit Luke and started what is now a three week ordeal for this family.  Nicole and Chad have not left Luke’s side since the incident happened on September 2. 

Luke was given an EEG to measure brain activity on Tuesday.  The results showed that Luke is in a “locked-in” state, meaning he is trapped in himself right now.  It is not technically a coma anymore.  He can now see and hear but cannot respond or communicate back yet.  Bruising must go down some more before he can be expected to respond normally.  He is also moving his arms and legs without stimulation to trigger voluntary movement.

It is all good news as of this writing.  Luke is no longer in intensive care and will be moved to a rehabilitation facility in Cleveland.

It should be noted that the Holko’s are not running around with their hands extended seeking donations.  The extended family and friends have conducted several fundraisers.  Nicole was quoted as saying, “I would hand over every gift, every dollar, every card…everything I have… to have my son vibrant and healthy again.”  Chad and Nicole are grateful for the support.

Continued prayer and support to the Holko’s through this very difficult time!

Photo Courtesy of Nick Mays

On a chilly Fall evening, two 19-year old pitching prospects took control of their respective team’s destinies. For Mahoning Valley, Clayton Cook, the Indians 9th round draft pick of 2008 took to the hill. Staten Island sent Jose Ramirez, a 2007 free agent from the Dominican Republic.  With everything at stake, neither of the youngsters factored into the decision.  Relief pitching was the difference as Staten Island overcame a 2-run deficit to defeat Mahoning Valley 5-2 in front of 1933 fans at Eastwood Field.

The Scrappers drew first blood when Ben Carlson parlayed an infield single into a run. Carlson moved to second on a passed ball and would come around to score when Rafael Vera smashed a triple into right center. Chun Chen, last night’s hero, doubled to knock home Vera and give the Scrappers a 2-0 lead.

In the top of the fifth inning, Scrapper-killer Neil Medchill doubled off of the wall in right center. Zoilo Almonte singled to right knocking Medchill home with no one out. With Almonte at third and one out, Cook battled back to get out of the inning only giving up a single run where the score stood at 2-1 in favor of Mahoning Valley.

In the Yankees half of the seventh inning, Almonte singled off of Vidal Nuno. The next batter, Kyle Higashioka, doubled into the left field corner scoring Almonte and tying the contest at two. That would be it for Nuno who was relieved by Austin Adams with nobody out and Higashioka on second base. Adams rose to the challenge and got the required three outs to keep the game tied at two.

In the eighth, the Yankees struck big.   Jimmy Paredes led off with a single and Mack DeAngelo walked. Luke Merton flew out to center and Paredes tagged and advanced to third. Neil Medchill hit a high chopper toward second that Adams cut off and tried to make a play at home, which failed.  With runners on first and second, Almonte delivered a dagger – a 2 RBI double off of new pitcher Tyler Sturdevant putting Staten Island up 5-2.

Ben Watkins, the winning pitcher, was terrific in relief for the Yankees. He entered the game to start the fourth inning and only gave up one hit over the next five innings. Graham Stoneburner relieved Watkins to pitch the ninth inning for the Yankees and earn the save.  When the final out was recorded, the Yankee dugout emptied noisily as the team celebrated on the Scrappers pitchers mound.   

For Staten Island, it is their sixth NYPL Championship. 

Travis Fryman had nothing but good things to say about his Scrappers club after the game.  “You want these guys to go home on a positive note.  It is hard to lose big games, you can’t take away what they accomplished as a club this year.  It’s over, and we will prepare for next year, it’s all you can do.”

I asked Fryman about a return for next season to which he responded, “I plan on coming back here, absolutely.”

So the 2009 chapter of the New York – Penn League comes to a close.  Congratulations to all of the players in the league, not just Mahoning Valley, for making it a memorable year full of promise.  It was nice to meet so many young men who will serve as the reinforcements to Major League Baseball someday.

Photo -Courtesy of Nick Mays

The Scrappers Marty Popham and the Yankees Sean Black pitched like anything but short season Single-A prospects. Through four complete innings, the two starting pitchers combined for a total of 13 strikeouts.  In the end, it was a crack off the bat of Chun Chen in the bottom of the 11th inning that vaulted the Scrappers to knotting the series at one game apiece.

The irony of the Scrappers walk-off homer win is that Staten Island had hit 45 homers during the regular season and Mahoning Valley only had 11.

The Yankees got a lead in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs, Carmen Angelini singled. The next batter for the Yankees, DH Jimmy Paredes doubled driving in Angelini. DeAngelo Mack continued the two-out hitfest with a single up the middle which scored Paredes. After four-and-a-half innings the Yankees held a 2-0 lead.

Jason Smit doubled to start the bottom half of the fifth inning. He advanced to third on a wild pitch with nobody out. The next batter, Casey Frawley doubled deep off of the left-centerfield wall scoring Smit and cutting the Yankees lead to 2-1 and knocking Black out of the game.  Chun Chen laid down a sacrifice bunt off of new Yankee pitcher Griffin Bailey moving Frawley to third with one out. Argenis Martinez singled with two outs to plate Frawley and tie the game at two runs apiece.

With one out in the ninth inning, Jordan Henry singled and Martinez walked, but the Scrappers failed to capitalize on the opportunity.

In the bottom of the 11th inning of the 2000 NYPL finals, the Scrappers were playing Staten Island, and won that game on a leadoff homer in the bottom of the 11th inning.  Props to GM Dave Smith who walked into the pressbox during the tenth inning and laid claim to history repeating itself.  With one swing of Chen’s bat off of Staten Island pitcher Ronny Marte,  Smitty looked like a genius.  Chen was due to have a big hit sooner or later, he is just too good of a hitter.  “That was my biggest hit of my career”, said Chun through his interpreter (Jason Lynn), “I got a fastball, put a good swing on it, and the ball carried out”.

Jason Smit, Ben Carlson, Chen, and Martinez all had two hits each for the Scrappers.

Cory Burns was awesome in 3 1/3 innings of relief in garnering the win.  Burns had it going striking out 4 Yankees in his appearance and is credited with the win.  Antoine Hubbard and Matt Packer also pitched scoreless relief in keeping the loud Yankee bats quiet.

After the game, Travis Fryman tried to offer explanations on the mystique of this 2009 Scrappers team.  ” Our strength all year has been our pitching depth and ability to just win games.  I can’t explain that, I have been scratching my head all year trying to figure out how we ended up with the best record in the league.  I don’t think we had the most talented club in the league by any means, but I think tonight was a great example of what kind of ballclub we have, just finding ways to win”.

The Scrappers and Yankees hook it up Wednesday night, winner-takes-it-all.  Clayton Cook will start for the Scrappers.  “Cookie and some good guys in the bullpen, I like our chances”, said Fryman about the deciding contest.  First pitch is at 7:05 PM at Eastwood Field.  Marc Means will be on AM-1390 calling the game for those unable to attend.

$2 made from every ticket sold is being donated to the Luke Holko Fund.

Playoff Smit-O-Meter:  2-4, 2B (1), Run

I wanted to do a profile piece on Ben Carlson about a month and a half ago.  When I asked him about it after a Scrapper game in July, he simply told me “we’ll see”.  Today Carlson admitted to me that he was reluctant to do a profile piece back then because he was not playing well and thought others on the team may have deserved the attention more than he did.  It is because of that attitude that today, I am happy to be doing a feature piece on Ben.  Carlson gives the words ‘team player’ and ‘wise beyond his years’, believability.

 Carlson and I have been linked closer since last Wednesday.  A line-drive foul ball off of his bat struck Luke Holko.  Having an idea of what kind of a person Ben was, I knew that he would be devastated.  After every game, I would talk to Travis Fryman.  Our conversations have been pretty structured lately.  My first question has always been, “Any news on Luke?”, followed by, “How is Ben doing?”, followed by, “Tell me about the start that Clayton Cook provided and how long are Kyle Bellows and Greg Folgia hurt?” 

I met Chad and Nicole Holko on Wednesday, a week after the incident.  The Scrappers played Brooklyn that night and I waited until after the game to talk to Ben and Travis about my visit.  Ben told me, “I gotta get up there and see him.”  The next morning, Ben and I were on our way to Akron Children’s Hospital.  Ben brought a bat to give to Luke.  We had about two hours to talk, so this profile piece is done with more than the usual amount of information.

We met at 9:00 AM at Eastwood Field.  I learned that this early time of nine was a sacrifice in itself for Carlson who said he usually sleeps until 11.  It sounds bad, but when you weigh the normal day ahead of a Scrappers player, it seems that isn’t enough rest.  These guys got home at 6:00 AM from one of their unpopular eight-hour bus rides.  On a gameday, which is pretty much every day, the players are required to be at the field by 2:00 PM for meetings and stretching followed by batting practice.  Then they hit the field for the game.  After showering and sometimes short post-game meetings, a player can expect to get home between 11:00 – midnight.  That’s a long day.

One of the first things I talked with Carlson about was “home”, both growing up and here.  The growing up part was in Kansas.  Carlson has loyalty to the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs, two franchises which have not been lighting it up as of late.  We talked about George Brett and Christian Okoye and if the Chiefs were capable of winning even three games this season.  Carlson has three brothers, all playing baseball at some level.  His oldest brother is in the Detroit Tigers system, and recently needed surgery on his wrist.  Ben attended Missouri State for a bit, but once you get drafted, college ends up on the back burner.  After this season with the Scrappers, he will go to an instructional league in Arizona on September 30.  His father runs a car auction back in Kansas.  His parents recently made a trip to Ohio to see Ben play and because it was Labor Day Weekend, the car auction was delayed until Tuesday.  “My father hasn’t missed an auction in 24 years.” 

Nick Kirk and Brett Brach live with the same host family as Carlson.  He claims that it is nice to have some teammates around but was quick to point out that pitchers are pretty much on a different schedule, so they go to the park at different times.  “We pretty much have an area of the house to ourselves.  There is a nice setup with a big screen when we have time to watch it.”  Carlson said his host father leaves for work at 5:30 in the morning and he went a stretch of about two weeks without even getting to see him.

Once we got to the hospital and parked, the reality of our trip started to settle in.  We agreed that it is tough to see Luke on the machines as we had both already been there once.  Walking to the room, a million things race through my mind, the most important being some sign of improvement or some good news.  Our unannounced visit was well-received.  Nicole and Chad and Nicole’s parents were all there.  Nicole told us about Eric Wedge’s wife coming yesterday and showed us all of the nice stuff she brought with her including a two-foot card signed by the entire team, some autographed bats, and even a Jamey Carroll glove.  Nicole then talked with us about improvements.  There is something caled an ICP count which is monitored on a screen.  Luke’s ICP count rises when he gets annoyed.  I was fixated on this single monitor for most of the visit.  We had to leave before 11:30 because Carlson had to be back in Niles by 12:30 for practice.

One of the things Carlson and I talked about was his music that he picked when he comes up to bat.  Most of the Scrappers pick R & B stuff, or newer music.  Casey Frawley has a country song.  Ben Carlson has Ted Nugent.  Yep, the Motor City Madman.  I asked Carlson if the music gets assigned or if they get to pick it. He told me that they get to pick what they want.  I then asked how he ended up with ‘Stranglehold’.  He told me he loved the song as a teammate of his in college used it when he came to bat.  Once he got to Niles, he picked the song to use for himself.

Carlson is still getting used to hitting with a wooden bat.  Having used aluminum bats his whole career, it is a big change.  He is also learning to play first base.  He had played there before, but very sparingly.  “You go where they put you and make the most of it,” remarked Carlson whose primary world was the outfield.

Moises Montero, Jesus Brito, and Argenis Martinez do not speak much English yet.  From what Carlson told me, Rafael Vera should draw an additional check from the Indians organization for being a full-time interpreter.  The language and communication problems don’t end there.  Carlson’s roommate on the road is Chun Chen.  I asked him what they could possibly do or how they communicate.  “Chen knows a little English and is learning, we get through it.”

Carlson is very complimentary of the coaches and trainers.  He has much respect for Travis Fryman and Phil Clark and said nothing but good stuff about both guys.  Nothing but praise for the Scrappers organization and not a bad word about a teammate.  Carlson said in some ways it has been a very long Summer.  He is looking forward to going to his brother’s wedding in Las Vegas in November.  “He is 6’4″, she is 6’3″ and used to play basketball at New Mexico, they are going to have some tall kids.”

Carlson and the Scrappers will be competing for the NYPL championship this weekend.  He was quick to point out that the Scrappers lead the NYPL in team batting, yet no Scrapper player is even in the Top-10.  “We are a true team, everyone has been contributing all season.  When someone gets hurt, someone else has been able to step in and get the job done.”

I enjoyed my time with Ben Carlson.  He is a refreshing person who contradicts the young pro athlete stereotypes.  If he doesn’t make it in baseball, he will succeed in some other avenue his path may drive him to. 

Jason Kipnis (pictured) is proving why being drafted in the second round of the 2009 MLB Draft was a wise choice for the Cleveland Indians.  Kipnis gave Mahoning Valley some breathing room with a towering two-run homer in the third inning and the pitching staff was up to the task as the Scrappers advanced to the New York/ Penn League Finals with a 3-1 victory over a good Brooklyn Cyclones team.

The Scrappers got on the board in the bottom of the second inning.  Casey Frawley walked on four pitches.  With a one-ball, no-strike count, the Scrappers executed a perfect hit-and-run as Jesus Brito singled and Frawley advanced to third.  Ben Carlson then singled up the middle to plate Frawley and give the Scrappers a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third inning, Argenis Martinez singled with one out.  Kipnis then unloaded to deep right center with his first homer at Eastwood Field to put Mahoning Valley up 3-0.

The Cyclones scored a run in the seventh inning on a John Servidio RBI-double to cut the Scrapper lead to 3-1.  After walking the the bases full, Austin Adams was bailed out of a jam when Jordan Henry made a beautiful running catch in centerfield to end the inning.

Vidal Nuno was a workhorse for the Scrappers.  Marty Popham was scheduled to start but was out with the flu.  Nuno stepped up and came through making the absolute most of an important start.  In his five innings pitched, Nuno gave up just a walk and a hit while striking out five Cyclones.  Austin Adams threw the next two innings.  Tyler Sturdevant pitched a scoreless inning.  Guido Fonseca pitched a perfect ninth to record the save. 

Cyclones Manager Pedro Lopez and 2B Jordany Valdespin were ejected in the top of the second inning for arguing with the home plate umpire Jose Rivera.

Kipnis commented on his home run.  “Felt great, was my first one here.  I was actually glad to finally hit one at home.  I’m just happy I could score some runs for this pitching staff.”  Kipnis was also very complimentary of center fielder Jordan Henry and the Scrapper defense.  “The kid [Henry] is a tremendous cenerfielder.  And what’s new?  Henry made another great play tonight.  The infield also did a good job knocking balls down.  With good pitching comes good defense, everyone is on their toes and ready to play behind them.”

Travis Fryman was very pleased with the efforts of Nuno and the defense.   “He’s [Nuno] been lights-out.  He wasn’t supposed to be in the rotation for the postseason.  Marty Popham got sick and we had to change the rotation up, so Vidal, again, has stepped in and pitched extremely well.  Obviously there is more than one way to contribute to a win and we saw that tonight with two plays in my opinion.  Argenis Martinez made an over-the-shoulder catch early which really changed the momentum.  The play Jordan made, that’s way too much drama for me, I don’t like drama in a baseball game.  Jordan is struggling at the plate but is playing lights-out in centerfield.”

It was also a night where the Scrappers raised money for Luke Holko.  Before the game, a collection from the players and coaches raised $1700.  There were firemen in full uniform passing a boot in honor of Chad Holko, (Luke’s father is a fireman) to aid the cause.  There were also several people selling Daffin’s chocolate bars for $1.

The attendance was listed at slightly over 1200, but it felt different tonight.  The people who showed up tonight were baseball fans.  I have been there on Buck Night when 5,000 people go nuts over the throwing of soap and pizza boxes, but barely make a peep when the Scrappers have the bases loaded and nobody out in a tie game.  Hats off to the attendees of this game for clapping and screaming for the Scrappers at the right times.

Tonight also marked the return of a player I figured to be shut down for the year.  Jason Smit was a surprise starter in right field prompting me to bring back something that I enjoyed doing, the Smit-O-Meter, playoff style.

Playoff Smit-O-Meter:  1-3, batting .333

***Lowell defeated Staten Island 3-2 to even their series at one win each.  The Scrappers will play the winner of this series to be decided on Thursday.

It’s been a whole week, feels like a year to some and just yesterday to others, since 4-year old Luke Holko was hit in the head with a line-drive foul ball at a Mahoning Valley Scrappers game.  Luke is currently at Akron Children’s Hospital in a comatose state.  Every reaction he has, every movement he makes and all he can do without the help of machines is being very closely monitored by the specialists caring for him.

I got a chance to talk with Chad Holko, Luke’s father.  Chad shared some heartfelt thoughts about the overwhelming amount of support, the unselfish volunteer work and fundraising taking place, and also how hard it is to always think the best.

Chad first told me how thankful he is from the public support.  “It’s been amazing.  People we don’t know have shown support and we are thankful.  When I start donating to charities after this is over, this place [Akron Children’s Hospital] is going to be first on the list.  The Ronald McDonald House has also been very helpful.  The Mahoning Valley Scrappers people have also been very supportive and we thank them as well.”

Chad is a Greene Fireman and said he has trained for CPR and standard First Aid but has never encountered a situation like this in his line of work yet.  He also commented on how religion and prayer have been powerful aides to his entire family during the past week.

At all NYPL Playoff games in Niles, Lowell, Staten Island, and Brooklyn, collections are being taken up to help the Holko family offset the medical costs.  There will also be firemen from the area, as well as New York,  at the Scrappers game against Brooklyn who will assist in gathering donations.  A playoff game is important, but I think if you have not gotten goosebumps on your arms yet, then you just don’t get it.

A cookout at Sam’s Club on Labor Day to benefit Luke raised over $3,000.  There are other ways to donate if you cannot make it to an event or fundraiser.  All local Cortland Banks are donation points for a fund established by the family. 

Luke’s mother was happy to reveal a sign of positive progress.  “He squeezed my hand twice this morning.”  The hospital room is filled with letters from everywhere from all sorts of people.  There are balloons and stuffed animals, colored pictures, posters, and right in the middle of it all is Luke. 

Status updates can be gotten at the following site: helpluke.com.  There are also pictures, and links to other places here.

My trip today was rough.  The family thanked me for not hastily printing information or pursuing the story.  I will continue to update local happenings and fundraisers as we all pray and wait.  The family said it best when they said it is in God’s and Luke’s hands now.

Please leave a comment on this story by clicking comments at the bottom of the article.  It is my request that this article be used as a get-well card, all comments will be printed, unlike the original story, where I have received over 180 comments but only printed 20.

Chad and Nicole, as well as extended family and friends: Please stay strong, everyone is rooting for Luke to pull through this.  Prayer will get you through it.

To read the original Paneech.com posting, The Saddest Thing I Have Ever Seen, click here.

With tonight’s win, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers have clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs.  The playoffs will start on Tuesday as Mahoning Valley will either travel to Brooklyn or Staten Island to play Game 1 of a Best of 3 Semi-Final Series.  The Scrappers will return home to play Game 2 on Wednesday regardless of who the opponent is with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05.  If necessary, Game 3 will be played at Eastwood Field on Wednesday at 7:05. 

All fans who already bought playoff ticket packages should use Semi-Finals-Game A tickets for Wednesday and if there is a game on Thursday should use Semi-Finals-Game B tickets.

Ticket packages for the entire playoffs are still available.  With a maximum of four home games possible, each box seat playoff package costs $28, an $8 savings off of individual game ticket prices when purchased in advance.  Fans will receive a refund or a 2010 credit for any unused playoff game tickets.

Individual tickets are now on sale for Wednesday’s Game 2.  Individual ticket prices are $9 for box seats and $7 for general admission.

Tickets can be purchased in-person at the Eastwood Field box office or by calling 330-505-0000.  The box office will be open at 12:00 noon on Sunday as well as Labor Day from 8:30-5:30.  Tickets can also be purchased online by clicking here.