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.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
As the school year winds down, the sun was shining high as Morris Elementary School and the community celebrated student success with a splash. click for more
The Berkshire Community College community celebrated outgoing President Ellen Kennedy for the innovation, kindness, and curiosity she has fostered on campus over the last 14 years. click for more
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
Anthony Salatino Jr. says his memory is getting a little foggy about his time in the Army.
But he remembers how terrible D-Day was, and feeling lucky he wasn't among those in the initial invasion force 82 years ago. click for more
