NILES, Ohio – The Mahoning Valley Scrappers’ upcoming season will include nine postgame fireworks shows, eight giveaways, nine specialty jersey nights, seven Buck Nights and a drone-fireworks show.

The giveaways include:

  • Bobbleheads: Ernie Clement, June 20; Jose Ramireez, July 18; Scrappy Elf, July 25; and Looney Tunes Bugs Bunny, Aug. 8.
  •  Other items: Margaritaville shirts, June 2; magnet schedule, June 3; Crayola youth jerseys, June 13; and Scrappers hats, Aug. 23.

The Scrappers will wear specialty-themed jerseys at nine games that will be auctioned off to benefit local charities. The jersey nights include the following:

  • June 2: Margaritaville. Gates open at 5 p.m., with the Suns of Beaches Band performing from 5-6:30 p.m.
  • June 11: Mahoning Valley Grassmen.
  • June 13: Crayola Family.
  • June 30 The Scrappers become the Mahoning Valley Peppers in Oil. Fans can taste and cast their vote for the best peppers in oil in the Valley.
  • July 4: America 250.
  • July 14: The Scrappers become the Mahoning Valley Cookie Tables.
  • July 25: Elf Night. Special appearances by the Kringles and the Clauses.
  • July 31: Star Wars. Star Wars-themed fireworks will follow the game.
  • Aug. 9: Looney Tunes.

Additional promotional highlights include:

  • June 4: Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Night (Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition).
  • June 10: Scrappers Day game at 11 a.m., with Senior Fair.
  • June 12: Princess and Superhero Night.
  • June 19-20: International Series – Scrappers take on Canada 18U National team.
  • June 21: Fathers Day picnic package, with catch on the field and post-game team autograph session.
  • July 17: Financial Wellness Night (717 Credit Union), with complimentary tickets, hot dog and drink and the first post-game drone-fireworks show. Tickets available starting May 26.
  • July 24: Celebrity appearance by former Cleveland Indians All-Star Kenny Lofton.
  • July 30: Pittsburgh Pirates Night, with Pirate Parrot and pierogies.
  • Aug. 9: Bobblemania, buy and trade with a collection of the area’s largest bobblehead dealers. 
  • Aug. 23: Bark in the Park.

A full promotional schedule can be found at MVScrappers.com.

The Scrappers’ weekly promotions for the 2026 season include:

  • Tuesdays: Hometown Heroes Nights (all first responders and health care workers can present their ID or badge for two free upper box seat tickets).
  • Wednesdays: Military Appreciation Nights (show a military ID at the box office for two free upper box seat tickets.
  • Wednesdays: $2 Pizza Slice Night (purchase at the main concession stands throughout the game).
  • Thursdays: Buck Nights ( $1 general admission tickets, hot dogs, fountain drinks and $2 12-ounce domestic beers).
  • Fridays: Fireworks following every Friday home game.
  • Sundays: Every Sunday Matters (bring a donation of nonperishable food items for a free general admission ticket).
  • Sundays: Youth League Day (children who wear their youth league jersey get a free upper box seat ticket).

Single-game tickets are on sale now at MVScrappers.com, by phone at 330 505 0000 and at the box office at 717 Credit Union Field at Eastwood. Single-game ticket prices start at $7. Ticket prices increase $1 on the day of the game.

The Scrappers will begin their season June 2 with a game against State College, Pa., at 717 Credit Union Field.

New Manager

The Scrappers this week hired Raul Gonzalez as manager for the 2026 season.

The Puerto Rico native was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 17th round of the 1990 Major League Baseball draft at age 17. He made his Major League debut for the Chicago Cubs on May 25, 2000. His final MLB appearance was June 21, 2004, when he played for the Cleveland Indians. 

Beginning in 2011, Gonzalez served as an advance scout for the Detroit Tigers, a hitting coach for the Boston Red Sox (Gulf Coast League) and Kansas City Royals (Burlington Royals) and an AZL hitting coach for the San Diego Padres. Recently, during the 2023-2024 season, he served as the assistant hitting coach for the Arizona Complex League (ACL) Guardians.

Additional members of the coaching staff include Orlando Merced, hitting coach; and Jason Stanford, pitching coach.

Merced played 13 seasons in the Major League, starting with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1990-1996.

Stanford is a former left-handed starting pitcher who played three seasons for the Cleveland Indians. Locally, Stanford served as the head coach for the Howland Tigers baseball team from 2010-2012 and Youngstown State University pitching coach in 2012.