SteepleCats Play Chinese Guest Team on Sunday

Editor's Note: The game had to be canceled because of rain and expected thunderstorms.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The SteepleCats will welcome the Chinese Taipei National team for a friendly game Sunday night.

Public Relations Tom Aslip said the game starts at 6:30 pm Sunday at Joe Wolfe Field and will be a “once in a life time opportunity.” Normally Sunday games take place at 4:30 pm, however the time has been shifted for the special event.

"Our guys are really excited, and it definitely something to come see," Aslip said.

Although the game won't count in the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) standings, Aslip said it is an excellent opportunity to see how another culture plays baseball.

"Anyone form another culture coming into to North Adams is exciting, and it is great to meet new people and experience another culture," Aslip said. "To have baseball in common between the two cultures and getting to see the way they play the game against our guys should be a great opportunity and we really excited about it."

General Manager Johno Hinkell said the SteepleCats have played teams from other countries in the past. He said they have played the Chinese Taipei team before. He said international teams often reach out to USA teams when they decide they want to go on a tour.

"It was brought to the NECBL earlier in the year and teams who were interested can pursue it," Hinkell said. "Basically if their tour fits your off days you have a shot to host them."

Hinkell said the SteepleCats in the past would set up activities for the international team, however, this year the team is just making a day trip to North Adams and leaving after the game.

Aslip said international friendly games often take place in the NECBL league. He said the Newport Gulls also faced a Chinese national team and were the only team in the USA they played who were able to defeat them.

Aslip said everyone should come experience the special game and support the 'Cats.

"We are all very excited; this is something that has been in the works for a while and it is an amazing opportunity," he said.

Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:15PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.

 

More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.

 

Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.

 

One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 

 

"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."

 

Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.

 

Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.