Greater Westfield Babe Ruth Baseball League President Dan Welch throws out the ceremonial first pitch at the Babe Ruth 13-Year-Old World Series between Fargo (North Dakota) and Greenville (North Carolina) Aug. 15, 2019 at Bullens Field. Babe Ruth ballplayers will return to the field for the first time since last August after the coronavirus forced a shutdown of local sports
earlier this spring. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS FILE PHOTO)
WESTFIELD – Baseball players in the Whip City were given the green light to get regular season games up and running, beginning Monday.
The announcement came Friday when Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker revealed plans to officially begin Phase 3 Monday, following the holiday weekend.
“Based on the governor’s support for Phase 3, our teams are ready to go,” Greater Westfield Babe Ruth Baseball League President Dan Welch said. “There is a lot of pent up interest in baseball in the city of Westfield. Our players will be on the field glad to continue our tradition.”
Babe Ruth’s opener was scheduled for Monday night, and the season is set to run through Aug. 27. The season will culminate with the Dan Welch City Cup Championship.
“Little League and Babe Ruth is … doing it for the communities,” Welch said. “We have a strong group that wants to do it.”
With Phase 3 under way, the Westfield Starfires are planning for their Wednesday night home opener against the Worcester Bravehearts. First pitch at Bullens Field is at 6:30 p.m.
“We are excited to welcome fans back to Bullens Field,” Westfield Starfires co-founder/owner Chris Thompson said.
According to Phase 3 guidelines, seating capacity will be limited to 25 percent. Social distancing guidelines and masks will be encouraged.
For more information or to purchase tickets to see the Westfield Starfires, visit westfieldstarfires.com.
