WESTFIELD – Westfield Babe Ruth 13-Year-Old All-Star manager Mike Smith has continued to make a point to stress that his team is not made up of superstars, but rather a solid cast poised to make a blockbuster showing in this weekend’s regionals tournament at Bullens Field.
“We have a deep pitching staff,” Smith said, just prior to taking the field for a Wednesday night practice. “I’m looking forward to (the regionals). I think we can compete with most teams.”
Ari Schwartz, who allowed no runs through 14 innings in the state tournament, will lead Westfield’s pitching staff into battle. The hometown team throws out its first pitch Friday night against New Hampshire at 7.
Scott Walsh, who has pitched well during the postseason, converted pitcher Sean Moorhouse; Matt Hastings, who employs a wide array of pitches; power pitcher Austin St. Pierre; Noah Murray; Sean Murphy; Reed Phillips; and the team’s only lefty Tommy Smith, make up the staff on the mound.
“Our guys are going to have to go deep (into ballgames),” manager Smith said. Games will continue all throughout the weekend. “It’s a great thing for the city – all these teams coming into a great park with the lights on. It’s going to be a great experience for the kids.”
On Friday, games will be held at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7.
VINTAGE NIGHT: The festivities will get started Thursday night when the Westfield Wheelmen and Whately Pioneers, who feature former New York Yankees pitcher Jim Bouton, play in a special Vintage Base Ball game at Bullens Field at 7 p.m.
