WESTFIELD – Let the countdown begin!
While the words “PLAY BALL” have been put on ice temporarily around the local baseball circuit, the spring season is truly upon us. Little Leaguers and Babe Ruthers are about to set in motion a series of events leading up to All-Star season and culminating with a Babe Ruth World Series late this summer right here in the Whip City at Bullens Field.
Just 18 weeks remain until the World Series of Babe Ruth Baseball 14-Year-Olds.
To truly make it an All-Star studded affair, Babe Ruth officials are seeking the help of Westfield residents of all ages.
“We have volunteer opportunities for Westfield to showcase the city and our community involvement,” said Christina Gezotis, volunteer-coordinator for the Babe Ruth World Series, which will take place in mid-to-late August.
“We are going to put on a great tournament for all these people visiting from throughout the country,” she said.
To pull off an event of this nature, Gezotis said hundreds of volunteers are needed to fill various positions, including team ambassadors, team liaisons, and bat boys and bat girls, among others.
While a team liaison will be expected to be a key contact for one of nine visiting teams (providing details on the region’s “hot spots” like various attractions and eateries or just lending general assistance related to the games or the area), a team ambassador (typically a 13-14-year-old girl) will be asked to help rally support and cheer on their respective team, and be part of a welcome committee.
There is also a need for volunteers for admissions/tickets sales, concessions stands, souvenir tents, field preparations, press box assistance (scoreboard operation/scorebook statistician/public address announcer), parking attendants, and more.
The response, thus far, has been steady, according to Gezotis.
“Every since we put the word out, we have been getting 8-10 e-mails a week,” she said.
Babe Ruth officials have reaches to local schools, local clubs, and church organizations seeking any type of assistance. Westfield Bank has committed to a collective volunteer effort during the World Series, Gezotis explained.
There are sponsorship opportunities for local businesses as well.
Advance ticket sale purchases are available at discount prices now through June 30. Applications to volunteer are available online at www.westfieldworldseries.com.
