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Pittsfield to Host Softball World SeriesBy Jen Thomas - December 14, 2007
 | | Mayor James M. Ruberto, right, and other city and Babe Ruth officials sign the contract bringing the softball World Series to Pittsfield. |
PITTSFIELD - The city can add yet another jewel to its baseball cap.
For the first time in the Babe Ruth League's history, the Softball World Series will come to New England, drawing between 15,000 and 25,000 people to the area and bringing in an estimated $1.5 million in revenue.
And, according to Mayor James M. Ruberto, there's no better place than the birthplace of baseball to debut the region's first girls' World Series.
"It's really fitting that the World Series is going to be held at the site where baseball was born, where the term baseball was first used. I'm just so glad to see the sport growing and expanding in the community and we have the opportunity to play host," said Ruberto. "And I get to wear my baseball tie again."
To be held the first week of August, the World Series pits 10 national girls' teams against one another in "round-robin" competition that sees one team crowned the 2008 World Series Champion. The teams, which are composed of girls 16 years or younger, will play more than 30 games at Doyle Softball Field on Benedict Road.
"Is there a better location than Doyle Field? Maybe Fenway Park, but we're a close second," said Matthew R. Dindio, assistant to the mayor.
And it'll get even better with the help of a $15,000 grant from the Babe Ruth League. According to the organization's Vice President and Commissioner Robert P. Faherty Jr., the funds will be used to prepare the fields for the summer series.
"When we leave, we can't take Doyle Field with us. This investment is in your community," Faherty said.
Improvements may include a new fence and lights for the field and sprucing up existing structures.
Despite a $40,000 fee to host the World Series, it is projected the city will more than recoup that amount when thousands flock to area restaurants, hotels and retailers.
James Stimpson, the president of the Pittsfield girls' softball league and the Babe Ruth state commissioner of Western Massachusetts softball, is responsible for planning the event and making sure things get off without a hitch.
"Wow, this is huge," Stimpson said. "When they first suggested holding the World Series here, it kind of threw me off my chair. We weren't sure if we should say 'no' or 'yes' but we were sure of one thing: How could we not do this?"
Joined by the national Commissioner of Softball, Robert A. Connor and local coach and baseball legend Buddy Pellerin on Thursday morning, the officials officially signed the contract to bring the World Series to the city.
"After choosing to come to Pittsfield, there is no doubt in my mind that we made the right choice with choosing Pittsfield for the 2008 Girls' Softball World Series," said Faherty.
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