NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Joe Wolfe Field will remain under city control — no matter what teams play there. 

 

Rumors have been rampant for the past few weeks that Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will be taking over the baseball field in some way and would be doing major renovations that would force the high school teams to Alcombright Athletic Complex. 

 

None of that is true, said Administrative Officer Michael Canales. "First and foremost, it will be a game field for high school, SteepleCats, everyone."

 

The confusion appears to have begun when the schedule for the Trailblazers was forwarded to high school athletic directors by the city. 

 

But MCLA has been playing at Joe Wolfe for three years, said Canales. The difference this year was that the 'Blazers came in earlier than usual to ask to use the field.

 

"They schedule the games two years ahead of time and we're going to ask [the ADs] to coordinate, but ultimately the decision, final decision, rests with the city," he said. "It hasn't been an issue for three years when they came in last minute. We've been able to fit in every game."

 

MCLA's field at the Joseph Zavattaro Athletic Complex on West Shaft Road has had problems with water and its location means less sun to help it dry out. 

 

For the past three years, the college has been able to play its games at Joe Wolfe, at the Noel Field Athletic Complex, without disrupting game play for Drury High and McCann Technical. The North Adams SteepleCats normally start their season later.

 

Canales said there will be times when teams will have to practice at Alcombright but games will be at Joe Wolfe. 

 

As for MCLA making renovations, Canales said the city is expecting some help with maintenance in exchange for use. But, there are preliminary talks about doing a turf field. 

 

"They have asked if the city would consider a turf field, and of course we would if they pay for it," he said. "If this all comes to fruition, and it's a big maybe at this point."

 

Francesca Olsen, of the college's communications office, confirmed that President James Birge had had a "very preliminary" talk with Mayor Thomas Bernard. 

 

"He is hoping eventually the MCLA baseball team can play over there," she said, but anything more than that is only a conversation at this point. "We always want to be good neighbors."