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Scrappers stay consistent in an inconsistent world

Twenty-six years ago this month, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers made their area debut. For a Niles native and a longtime Cleveland baseball fanatic, having an Indians minor league affiliate within two miles from home was a dream come true. Walking into what was then Cafaro Field for the first time in 1999 was truly a memorable Opening Day experience. Everything about the stadium was shiny and new. The field was perfectly manicured, the grass was vibrantly green. There was a buzz in the air, the type which is usually reserved for major sporting events. Minor league baseball had ...

Ohio Bass Fishing Hall of Fame inducts first class

The careers of 10 people pivotal in the growth of bass fishing in Ohio and the nation were celebrated Friday night during their induction into the Ohio Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. The Ohio Bass Fishing Hall of Fame seeks to preserve the legacy of bass fishing in the Buckeye State and honor the accomplishments of champion anglers and innovators. The first class of inductees includes Steve Clapper, of Port Clinton; George Polosky, of Alliance; Frank Scalish, of Cleveland Heights; Joe Thomas, of Cincinnati; Larry Wiliams, of Columbus; and Ron Yurko, of Tallahassee, Fla. Inducted ...

WOLLITZ: Be safe and careful when out on the waters

The smallmouth bass on the business end of my friend’s line had no idea of the caper that had just played out Tuesday morning on Lake Milton. Fishing friend Ted Suffolk and I visited Milton a few days ago with hopes that we would catch the tail end of the shallow-water smallmouth bite that had been happening over the past couple of weeks. The morning chill that greeted us early was enough to numb our fingers, but the forecast of a slight wind shift and a few holes in the gray clouds promised to push the thermometer up to where we could shed a layer or two. By 10:30 that morning, ...

‘Greatest Show on Dirt’ returns to Sharon Speedway

The “Greatest Show on Dirt,” The World of Outlaws national traveling Sprint car series returns to Sharon Speedway Saturday. Three days of racing in Ohio starting today at Attica Raceway Park, then it’s on to Sharon Speedway Saturday and ending up at Atomic Speedway in Chillicothe Monday. Sharon gates opens at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 6:30 p.m. CAN ANYONE STOP WATERTOWN CT. DAVID GRAVEL? The defending champion has eight wins already and sits atop the point battle. California’s Buddy Kofoid has three wins and sits second. Ohio favorite Sheldon Haudenchild, of Wooster, holds ...

Weather’s impact on fishing

Rogue thunderstorms are just about the only threat to the likelihood you and I will experience a lot of successful fishing trips over the next few weeks. Recent rain has pushed local reservoirs over their normal springtime banks, flooding brush and willow flats where crappies and bass can feast not only on minnows and crustaceans, but also terrestrial critters. Offshore, meanwhile, walleyes are prowling the emerging weed lines for perch and shad. The fishing has been good so far this month and promises to remain strong as Memorial Day weekend approaches. About the only thing that ...

Remembering a friend and fisherman

The lakes of northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania will serve as my reminders of the life of good man and gifted angler Bob Mullen of Hubbard. Mullen, 92, passed away last week, leaving loving family and friends and a legacy of contributions in the bass fishing community. He had an uncommon passion for fishing and for the people with whom he shared his joy. I met Mullen in 1980 or thereabouts while working on a feature story about bass fishing for Ohio Fisherman magazine. In search of information for my article, I visited the Bass Pro Shops store owned by Don Thompson on ...