WESTFIELD – The dismissal of Brady’s four-game suspension to start the 2015 regular season may be dominating the chatter out near Boston, but there’s another sports event nearly a year away that is garnering even more attention locally.
The hot topic among sports fans at the Shortstop Bar & Grill on Springfield Road in the Whip City Thursday was not centered around “Deflategate” (well, maybe a little). Instead, a decent-sized crowd of local dignitaries, including Westfield Mayor Daniel M. Knapik, and a who’s who list of Westfield Babe Ruth coaches, managers, and officials gathered to celebrate the official signing allowing the city to host the 2016 Babe Ruth Baseball 14-Year-Old World Series.
With flashbulbs flashing, Robert P. Faherty, Jr., the vice president and commissioner for Babe Ruth League League, Inc.’s International Headquarters, signed the official contract awarding Westfield the World Series.
“This community is totally dedicated to hosting a World Series,” Faherty told those in attendance. “I was blown away.”
Westfield Babe Ruth Baseball League President Dan Welch, and several key league and city officials made a pitch to Babe Ruth HQ late last year to host the event in 2016. A number of volunteers, serving on various boards, also helped spearhead that effort.
That combined effort was the icing on the cake, according to the commissioner.
“Westfield (Babe Ruth Baseball) has run a great state tournament, and they’ve been reliable regional hosts,” Faherty said. “We’ve heard their name before.”
Faherty said all HQ was waiting for was a call from the Whip City seeking out such a request.
“This is the type of community that is right for our kids,” he said. “The kids won’t understand what it means to represent Westfield … until they see all those fans in the stands.”
Over the course of the next year, upgrades will be made to Bullens Field. Those changes will include: the relocation of exterior fencing, the installation of a new handicap accessible ramp, reinforcement to the concrete bleachers, an improved backstop, additional seats, and new LED lights.
Westfield Babe Ruth will also seek out volunteers and vendors for the 2016 World Series.
With the official signing to host the 2016 World Series, Westfield Babe Ruth has launched a web site. You can visit the new local Babe Ruth World Series web page online at westfieldworldseries.com.
