WESTFIELD – Fenway Westfield will host its 4th annual 9/11 Memorial Wiffle Ball Tournament August 24-26, honoring the sacrifice of Marine Corps Capt. John Maloney, of Chicopee.
The three-day event will begin with opening ceremonies Friday at 6:30 p.m., with games from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, culminating with a championship early Sunday evening. There will be a game, featuring the Enforcers, led by Hampden District Attorney Mark Mastroianni, and the Juggernauts.
“It’s really just heart for what the Massachusetts soldiers have done for us,” said event organizer Christopher Dolan. “The event is held to give back to communities and families.”
Maloney died when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Ar Ramadi, Iraq on June 26, 2005. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.
Every year a different family is honored.
“It’s great to get to meet the families,” said Dolan, who is also a state trooper. “That’s really the piece that’s important to me.”
Half the proceeds of the event will be donated to the Community Christian School in Springfield and the other half of the proceeds will be donated to the Massachusetts Soldiers’ Legacy Fund to assist families of fallen soldiers.
The event is free and open to the public. Parking for the event will be at the Westfield State University South Campus Parking Lot off Western Ave. (one block walk to the field).
Dolan also hosted the Hits of Hope, the Summer Slam Vintage Wiffleball Tournament, and Jeremiah Hurley Jr. Tournament.
