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Eastwood getting a facelift

New videoboard one of several renovations

Tribune Chronicle / Doug Chapin Mahoning Valley Scrappers General Manager Jordan Taylor speaks to members of the media during a press conference Thursday at the Eastwood Mall.

NILES — The fans talked, and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers have listened.

In their 20th year of existence, the Scrappers plan several improvements at Eastwood Field, most noteworthy a new video board, revamped audio and an enhanced concessions experience.

“First and foremost, when talking with our fans and sponsors, the biggest enhancement our fans asked for was improvements to the video board and sound system at our stadium,” said Scrappers general manager Jordan Taylor on Thursday at a news conference at the Eastwood Mall. “Listening to them, this is our response to that and I think we came up big on this one. We are working with Total Sports Entertainment on our new video board. Basically the video will be four times the size of what we currently have right now.”

In addition to news about facility improvements, it was revealed at the news conference that the agreement between the Scrappers and the Cafaro Company has been extended.

“It’s gratifying to announce the Scrappers’ commitment to the Mahoning Valley for the next 15 years through 2033,” Anthony Cafaro Jr. said. “In addition to our partners, HWS Baseball included, Jordan Taylor, and their owner, Michael Savic, I would be remiss if I also didn’t mention our express thanks to the city of Niles, both the current and former administrations. For the past 20 years, the city of Niles has been a staunch supporter of the Eastwood Mall complex and Eastwood Field. Certainly, without their continued advocacy, we would not be here today.”

In addition to the Scrappers, Eastwood Field is used as the home field for Youngstown State University baseball and — new this year — Eastern Gateway Community College. Also, the stadium is the site of a number of high school baseball games each spring.

“The goal a number of years ago was to try to utilize the field, not just for the Scrappers, but as a true community asset,” Taylor said.

“Part of that was having YSU, which plays all their home games and practices, both spring and fall, here, Eastern Gateway, and we try to do, depending on weather, 25 to 30 high school games. We also have events like the Down syndrome Walk for the Mahoning Valley, and other charity events as well.

“We want to try to fill the ballpark as much as we can and try to utilize the asset, and make it accessible to as many people in the community as possible.”

The new video board coming to Eastwood Field for the 2018 season is four times larger and has eight times more pixels than the old board. It will utilize the latest LED illumination to provide brightness that is not impacted by the sun. The new video board will allow for new non-baseball events to take place at Eastwood Field, including movie nights on the field.

A complete overhaul of the sound system will allow for a powerful, clear 360-degree sound experience for fans. The production room at Eastwood Field also will be overhauled, which will permit Scrappers home games to be streamed to MiLB TV beginning this year.

The Scrappers have partnered with Stadium 1 to create a more efficient experience at the concession stand with credit cards accepted at all locations.

The club’s response to its fans is understandable, considering the support the Scrappers have received from the Mahoning Valley’s fanbase.

“On behalf of the Cafaro family, I just want to extend our appreciation and thanks to the hundreds of thousands of fans who have visited Eastwood Field over the past two decades,” Cafaro said. “In some respects, it’s surreal being here today. Twenty years ago, in the spring of 1998, I recall a day when my grandfather called my father, my uncle, brother and I together. At the time there were some in our community who believed that minor league baseball in our Valley was a pipe dream, it would never be successful. I recall one politician go as far as to say ‘pigs would fly’ before it would succeed.

“But my grandfather thought otherwise and he told each of us that it was our job to make it happen. Twenty years later I know he’s looking down, very proud, of what we as a community, what we have accomplished here.”

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