Play Ball! Ripken Championship Game on Thursday

By Susan Bush
12:00AM / Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Hawks player gets approval during a July 19 Cal Ripken Youth Baseball League championship game in Williamstown.

Williamstown – The deciding game of the Cal Ripken Youth Baseball League state championship will be played on July 21 at 6 p.m. at the Bud Anderson Field. The Hudson Hawks put an end to the Greenfield “Green” team’s undefeated series status on July 19 with a 7-3 victory.

The teams were tied 1-1 at the end of the first inning, and Greenfield captured the lead 3-2 at the bottom of the third, but things turned around in the fourth inning. Hawks pitcher Tyler Kirby was at bat with two strikes, two outs, and two players on base when he blasted a hit that brought in two runs. The Hawks took the lead 4-3.

Hawks players scored three more runs during subsequent innings.

Greenfield pitcher Tyler O’Brien gave nothing away; O’Brien struck out eight batters and drove in two runs during the six-inning game.

Kirby was named MVP for the Hawks and O’Brien was named MVP for Greenfield.

The Hawks bested a Marlboro, Mass. team on Monday night and scored the chance to challenge the Greenfield team for the championship.

The series opened last weekend and until last night, Greenfield was the only undefeated team in the tournament.

A Greenfield, Mass. Ripken league player heads to first base.

The championship is played as a double-elimination series.

Williamstown’s Ripken team was eliminated on July 17 after meeting an 8-4 defeat against a Northbridge, Mass. team. Williamstown was victorious over a Douglas, Mass. team earlier in the series, and lost against the Hawks 9-6.

Western Mass. District 1 League Commissioner Barry Wadsworth called the action during last night’s game. Previously, Wadsworth said that hosting the state championship was an honor for the town’s Ripken league, and he credited Williams College officials and league volunteers for their efforts on behalf of the league.

The Cal Ripken Youth Baseball League boasts 380 teams throughout the state, and Williamstown has established 12 teams. Wadsworth noted that under Ripken regulations, teams may enlist players from more than one municipality and may play against teams from other communities. Ripken league players are assured of equal time at bat and in the field during regular season play, Wadsworth said.

A Hawks player makes a move to steal second base.

The public is invited to attend Thursday evening’s championship game. There is no admission charge and food and beverages are sold at a concession at the field.

Susan Bush may be reached by e-mail at suebush123@adelphia.net or at 802-823-9367.