This is the third of a four-part series looking back at the year that was…
Westfield Post 124 coach Don Irzyk (7) stands alongside coaches and players as they bow their heads for a moment of silence for Don’s wife, Kim, who passed away earlier this year after losing a battle to cancer. The entire night’s festivities were dedicated to Kim. (File Photo by Chris Putz)
After the high school spring season came to a close in 2018, Westfield Post 124 began its traditional follow-up in American Legion Baseball action.
Post 124’s season was dedicated to coach Don Irzyk’s wife, Kim, who passed away earlier in the year after losing a battle to cancer. Their son, assistant coach Matt Irzyk, and daughter Emily, each tossed out a ceremonial first pitch. The post’s Honor Guard led the National Anthem.
The Westfield High School hockey team celebrates a 2012-13 state Division III championship after defeating Swampscott 4-1 in the title game at the TD Garden in Boston. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
In their first season, the Whip City’s Junior Legion team would go on to win the District 1/2/3 championship, rallying from a four-run deficit to upend Agawam 15-5.
The Westfield Little League Softball 10-Year-Old All-Stars won the state championship with a sweep of Woburn in a best-of-3 series at Sadie Knox Playground.
Former Bombers, Colin Dunn and Craig Lacey bolstered the Valley Blue Sox’s run to a New England Collegiate Baseball League championship.
The action heats up on the ice during the eighth annual Kevin J. Major Memorial Hockey Tournament in late August at Amelia Park Ice Arena. (File photo by Bill Deren)
The Kevin J. Major Memorial Tournament, which typically signals the end of the summer sports season, locally, once again, brought, families, friends, and fans together for some good-old fashioned hockey, but more importantly, continued to raise awareness regarding cardiac-related issues.
Even with the summer season quickly fading, all eyes quickly turned to summer ’19.
Westfield’s upcoming 350th anniversary celebration became a grand-slam event when the Greater Westfield Babe Ruth Baseball League announced it would be hosting its second World Series in four years. The 13-Year-Old World Series will be played Aug. 8-15, 2019.
But first, a Major League Baseball champion would be crowned in fall ‘18.
Westfield’s 10-Year-Old All-Star softball team displays its state championship banner. (Staff file photo)
